Abstract: The invention relates to vendor payments using a virtual credit card number for security purposes. The invention is used by a company to pay vendors for services or goods using the virtual credit card number, which alleviates the normal security issues associated with making payments through a normal credit card transaction via computer networks. The invention further provides a convenient apparatus and method in securing such vendor payments. The apparatus and method of the present invention operates independently as a stand-alone system that interfaces with a separate accounting system, credit card assignment system, or other components of an invoice payment system, or is integrated with other components of an accounting system.