Split Pay has partnered with Privacy to help users only with Discover cards still use our service. To ensure the best experience, sign up through our dedicated link at privacy.com/splitpay.
Important — timing: Setting up a new Privacy.com account can take up to 3 business days. Make sure to complete this step well in advance of your payment due date.
What is Privacy.com?
Privacy.com is a free service that generates a virtual Visa or Mastercard debit card number linked directly to your existing checking account. You're not opening a new bank account — you're just creating a card number that draws from the one you already have.
Because Split Pay only accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards, a Privacy.com virtual card is the easiest path forward if Discover is the only card you currently have.
Step 1: Go to privacy.com/splitpay and sign up
Open a browser and go to privacy.com/splitpay. Click Sign Up and enter your email address, then click Get Started.
Privacy.com will send a confirmation email. Open it and click the confirmation link to verify your account. You'll be redirected back automatically.
Step 2: Answer a few quick questions
Once your email is confirmed, Privacy.com will ask how you plan to use the account. Select For Myself and click Next.
They'll walk you through a short profile setup — name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This is standard identity verification required to issue a card. Privacy.com uses this to comply with financial regulations, not to run a credit check.
Step 3: Connect your bank account
Next, Privacy.com will ask you to connect a funding source — this is the bank account your virtual card will draw from when it's charged.
Click Continue to Plaid. Privacy.com uses Plaid (the same service Split Pay uses) to securely connect your bank. Search for your bank, log in with your online banking credentials, and confirm the connection.
Don't want to use Plaid? Privacy.com also lets you link a debit card directly. Look for the "link a debit card" option on the funding source screen. Note: your Discover card won't work here — use a different method if available, or contact Privacy.com support at support@privacy.com.
Step 4: Create a new virtual card
Once your bank is connected, you'll land on your Privacy.com dashboard. Click New Card + in the top left.
Select Merchant-Locked — it's free on the Personal Plan. Here's what the options mean:
Merchant-Locked — locks to the first merchant it's used with (Split Pay) and can't be used anywhere else. Free. This is the right one to pick.
Single-Use — automatically closes after the first transaction or 24 hours. Not ideal for recurring payments.
Category-Locked — requires a paid upgrade. Skip this.
Privacy Everywhere — requires a paid upgrade. Skip this.
Name your card (something like "Split Pay" works) and click Create.
Step 5: Get your new card number
Your new virtual Mastercard will appear on your dashboard. Click Show Details to reveal the full card number, expiration date, and CVV. Keep this tab open — you'll need these details in the next step.
Step 6: Add the card to Split Pay
Head back to Split Pay. In the app or at splitpay.com, go to Account → Change Debit and enter your Privacy.com virtual card details — card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing zip code.
Save the card. Your Privacy.com virtual card is now your debit card on Split Pay, and your upcoming payments will process normally.
Merchant-Locked means Split Pay only. Because you selected Merchant-Locked, this virtual card will lock to Split Pay after its first use. It won't be charged by any other merchant.
See also: why we no longer accept Discover and I don't have a Visa or Mastercard — what are my options?