We face several challenges as we try to get access to different services in the USA. Often you will need an American IP address, and in the same way an American Payment Card is needed frequently. But, how can I get an American IP address? And how can I get myself a real and working American Credit/Debit Card which can be used to pay for services in the USA?
How can I get an American IP address?
This is a frequently asked question and I have already answered this question in another article. Explained easily this is something you can get using the VPN services of for example IPVanish or PureVPN, two good VPN providers with lots of servers in the United States (and in other nations).
How can I get a real American Payment Card?
If you try signing up for services like Hulu or CBS All Access you will notice that it is hard to get your hands on a real American Credit/Debit Card. The core of this problem is that these and other services use a so-called AVS, an address verification system. There are some services allowing you to get an American Payment card number, but if you do not have a verified address in the USA registered on the same address as your virtual card, it will not work anyway. This is the problem with services like for example Entropay, Revolut and so on. Trust me, I have been done and done that!
varandah / Shutterstock.comIf you try to register a payment card on your US Apple ID you will face the same problem. It isn’t enough to have a virtual US card or a credit card in some other nations, because you will fail to pass the test set by the AVS (Address Verification System).
[stbpro id=”info” caption=”What is the Address Verification System?”]The Address Verification System (AVS) is a system used to verify the address of a person claiming to own a credit card. The system will check the billing address of the credit card provided by the user with the address on file at the credit card company. The other security features for the credit card include the CVV2 number. (source: Wikipedia)[/stbpro]
What is the solution?
Is there a way to get a working American Payment Card which will work and pass the AVS test?
To be honest I did a lot of research and spent lots of money trying to find a working method. I also tried getting my hands on Amex Gift Cards, but you will face the same challenge when you try to buy one; the Payment card used to buy an Amex Gift Card needs to be issued in the USA and registered with a valid US Address. How did the story end?
In the end I got a virtual US card working with a valid US address!
The long journey ended when I visited the website of US Unlocked. It is easy to sign up and you can transfer funds to your virtual US Unlocked card right away. It will take a few days for the funds to arrive, but once it has arrived you will have a virtual US card working when you want to sign up for Hulu, a US Apple account, CBS All Access and much more.
Get this working – Step By Step
- First you will need to register at Shipito. This is a service that will give you a real US address. The service is completely free.
- Then you visit US Unlocked. Sign up and use your Shipito address during registration.
- Transfer funds to your US Unlocked account.
- Once the money arrive to your US Unlocked account your virtual card will be issued and you are ready to pay for services and sign up for services in the USA from all across the world.
A VPN connection might be needed
You might need an active VPN connection as you sign up for the different services. It is not enough that CBS All Access check your virtual payment card information and compare its data with your billing address… they also check your actual location which they find based on your IP address. To bypass any problem this may cause you need to use the VPN services of for example IPVanish or PureVPN to get an American IP address and all such problems will be solved.
Using US Unlocked is very easy. They also have a live support available at their website in case you should have trouble with their services. I used this support several times myself and help was always given within a few minutes.
Does this virtual US Card work everywhere?
I have tested my US Unlocked card as a payment method at quite a lot of services in the USA. So far it has worked everywhere for me and I have not had any trouble at all. Be aware of the fact that there is a small monthly fee for having a US Unlocked card, but you get a great service and support for this fee.
What is the difference between US Unlocked and other Virtual Card providers
As I mentioned I have used and tried lots of other services similar to US Unlocked. Entropay is the biggest, but unfortunately they do not work when the services do a check on your address. I also have a Payoneer card, but again the problem is the address test. A US PayPal account can help you in quite a lot of situations, but in those situations when PayPal is not accepted as a payment method (and that is quite often), then you will need another method.
In other words; you can use Entropay, Payoneer, PayPal, Revolut and other services to pay for lots of services in the US. But, when the merchant does a check on your billing address compared to the address of the virtual payment card, then these will no longer work.
Do you have a virtual US payment card yet?
Have you tried US Unlocked yourself? Do you know of any other service that will provide you with the same product as US Unlocked? Have you got any questions related to paying for services with US Unlocked? I will do my best to answer any questions you might have, and I will greatly enjoy reading any comment you might have on this topic.
No responses yet