Zilch FAQ. Check out all you need to know about Zilch and its Buy Now Pay Later feature in this Zilch FAQ section.

  1. Is a mobile phone number necessary to get a Zilch Mastercard?
  2. What is a virtual card?
  3. What is the timeframe to get the Zilch Mastercard?
  4. Why was I not accepted for a Zilch card?
  5. Can I have more than one Zilch card?
  6. Can I use the same debit card as someone else?
  7. Why is verification of identity necessary at Zilch?
  8. How is my identity verified?
  9. Will Zilch accept anything other than Photo ID?
  10. Where can I find my Zilch card details in Zilch account?
  11. What documents are required for Zilch verification?
  12. What information is necessary to get a Zilch Mastercard?
  13. Is a credit check run during sign up?
  14. What cards can be linked to my Zilch Mastercard?
  15. What is the Zilch sign up process?
  16. What information is required on the Zilch checkout?
  17. What does Zilch cost?
  18. Where can I see how much money I can spend with Zilch
  19. Is there anywhere I cannot use my Virtual Zilch Card?
  20. Is Zilch good to use for monthly subscriptions?
  21. Can I get a Zilch plastic card to use in-store?
  22. Why should I visit Zilch before I want to make a purchase

  1. Is a mobile phone number necessary to get a Zilch Mastercard?

Yes, you will need a valid UK mobile phone number so that Zilch can send you the verification code that it texts you upon registration. If you opt for biometric login, you may not receive as many text verification messages, but there is always a chance that today is the day that you will need your mobile phone to receive a text verification code for login. 

Discover how to get some cheap mobile phone deals at this post. 

You will also get account updates from time to time via text, or email.

2. What is a virtual card?

Your virtual card is completely online.

You can access it when you log on to the website or when you use the Zilch App.

It works wherever Mastercard is accepted. Just copy and paste the card details in the payment method section for online transactions. You can also tap and pay in-store once you have linked your Zilch Virtual Mastercard to your device wallet. It currently works on Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.

3. What is the timeframe to get the Zilch Mastercard?

The timeframe is a quick process because it’s virtual!

Once you have signed up, you will immediately be issued your virtual Mastercard. You can always view this on the website homepage.

Occasionally, the verification process may take longer than a few minutes. In this case, get in touch with the customer service who should be able to speed things along.

4. Why was I not accepted for a Zilch card?

The Zilch team is committed to responsible spending; so, in order to understand whether this virtual card is right for you, they first do a soft credit check to determine if you can be accepted and then set your spending limit, so you won’t go overboard. Then the proof of ID you’ve sent is checked to verify your identity. They also refer to Anti-Money Laundering Regulations to ensure that all your transactions are legitimate.

If you have not been offered a virtual card yet, it could mean that Zilch is still in the process of checking everything. If you want to check the status of your registration, feel free to get in touch with them.

Chat to the team by scrolling to the bottom of the “Help” page on the website or app and click “Live Chat”. They are online and ready to answer your questions via live chat.

5. Can I have more than one Zilch card?

Sorry! They does not allow more than one Zilch card and operates a strict one card per customer policy.

When you register with Zilch, it means that you’re not acting on behalf of anyone else. That’s why they require you to have a valid UK debit card, a UK-based address, a mobile number, an email address, a proof of ID, and an address to ensure that you are the sole owner of your virtual card account.

For more info, check out the T&Cs on the website or app.

6. Can I use the same debit card as someone else?

Unfortunately, you cannot use the same debit card as someone else. A debit card may only be linked to one account, and it must be in your name.

7. Why is verification of identity necessary at Zilch?

Like most financial institutions, Zilch is always taking measures to better safeguard the interests of both its workers and its amazing users. One such measure is its verification of identity using some form of government-issued photo ID.

Once they receive proof of ID, they begin work on getting you verified. Verification of identity can take up to 5 business days; however, during busier periods this can be slightly longer. If the team requires any further information, they’ll be in touch!

8. How is my identity verified?

1. Personal Identification

If Zilch is unable to verify your account electronically, they may require that you provide them with a valid form of ID. For this they accept:

  • A valid passport.
  • Driving licence (including Provisional Driving Licences)
  • National identity card bearing a photograph of the applicant (i.e. PASS Citizen card)

2. Address Verification for Identity

Zilch may also need to verify your address as an adequate identity check. The name and address on these need to match the details you have provided during sign-up.

Acceptable documentation:

  • Utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months.
  • Bank statement issued within the last three months.
  • Local authority council tax bill for the current council tax year.
  • Current UK driving licence (but only if not used for proof of age).
  • Original mortgage statement from a recognised lender issued for the last full year.
  • Solicitors letter within the last three months confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address.
  • Council or housing association rent card or tenancy agreement for the current year.
  • NHS Medical card or letter of confirmation from GP’s practice of registration with the surgery.

3. A selfie

At times, Zilch may also request a selfie holding up your ID identity documents, which is a useful method of identity.

9. Will Zilch accept anything other than Photo ID?

If you have no photo ID for verification, simply log into your Zilch app, or the website and contact support for further information.

10. Where can I find my Zilch card details in Zilch account?

To view your virtual card details online, just head to the Zilch app or website, then log into your account and use the search box to select your retailer. Then tap the green card to view your full card details. Alternatively, it may just copy your card details ready for you to paste at your merchant’s checkout.

If you have the app, go to ‘account’ and select ‘Zilch card settings’.  You will then have access to the long 16 digit card number, expiry date, and CSV number.

11. What documents are required for Zilch verification?

It is simple to get Zilch verification. Below are the items of identification that you will need. Proof of ID:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid drivers license/Provisional
  • Identity card (front and back is required)

Proof of address for Zilch verification must be dated within the last 3 months (two copies from different sources are required if attaching a PDF):

  • Bank statement (please cover any sensitive information)
  • Council tax/rent/HMRC/government benefits i.e. Universal Credit etc..
  • Utility bill (excl mobile)

Don’t forget you’ll need to upload a selfie holding up your photo ID too.

12. What information is necessary to get a Zilch Mastercard?

To sign up and get a virtual Mastercard, you require :

– A valid UK debit card
– A UK based postal address
– A UK mobile phone number
– An email address

Zilch may also ask you for:
– Government Issued Photo ID
– Proof of Address

This address doesn’t need to match your debit card.  For example, if you’re at Uni and your debit card is registered at your non-term time address, that’s okay. Zilch will still accept it.

13. Is a credit check run during sign up?

When you sign up with Zilch, a soft credit check is done, which gives a credit score to determine your available amount to spend.

In the future, Zilch will let you decide if you’d like to opt-in to credit reporting with Equifax. Your credit score doesn’t affect your Equifax Credit Score.

However, any missed payments on an BNPL pay over 6-weeks option will be reported to Equifax and this may negatively affect your credit check score, so make sure to keep on top of your payments!

14. What cards can be linked to my Zilch Mastercard?

You can link any UK-issued debit card to your virtual Mastercard as long as the account is in your name.

Zilch is all about responsible spending and they have this measure in place to ensure that you are the only one using your account.

You cannot link the following card types with your Zilch Virtual Mastercard:

  • Debit cards from outside the UK
  • Corporate cards
  • Credit cards
  • Prepaid credit cards
  • Gift cards
  • Proxy cards

15. What is the Zilch sign up process?

It’s super quick! Just click on this referral to sign up. Sign up, enter your contact details, link your debit card, and then start shopping through pay now, or via its BNPL pay over 6 weeks option.

What you need to get started is:

  • A valid UK debit card
  • A UK based postal address
  • A UK mobile phone number
  • An email address

Zilch may also ask you for

  • Verification via a Government ID, passport, or driver’s licence.
  • Proof of Address; This address doesn’t need to match your debit card.  For example, if you are at University and your debit card is registered at your non-term time address, that’s okay, they will still accept it!

Once you have submitted your details, the Zilch team will be in touch to let you know when you can start shopping.

16. What information is required on the Zilch checkout?

  1. Regarding the Zilch checkout, on the Zilch app or website select the store you want to shop with. If you are using the tap and pay (contactless), then just go to the Samsung Pay, Google Wallet, or Apple Pay, where your virtual card details will be stored. Tap your phone against the machine. Your transaction will automatically deduct from your chosen bank, and you will earn 0.5 percent cashback reward points. Previously, this used to be 2 percent cashback in cashback rewards. 
  2. If you are making a purchase online, select how you want to pay. Pay over 6 weeks or Pay now to earn Zilch rewards.
  3. Select continue 
  4. Enable your card 
  5. You will have two hours to shop and checkout with your chosen shop
  6. Enter your virtual card details at your merchant’s checkout as follows: 

  • Payment method: Mastercard ‘credit or debit’
  • Billing name: Your name
  • Billing Address: The address you supplied to Zilch upon registration

Checkout complete

Remember if you have any issues with your items or your order you will need to contact the merchant directly to resolve this.

17. What does Zilch cost?

There is no Zilch cost. You can shop at thousands of online stores and tap and pay at select high street stores for free with zero interest. These stores pay Zilch a small commission when you shop with them. So they make money from them, not you!

But some stores are not registered with the website and do not pay them yet. Because they still want to give you access to pay over time with them using your virtual card, there is a small fee to shop at these stores, so you could say that there is a small Zilch cost with these merchants. To view these fees, tap on the merchant when you’re using the app or select Zilch Anywhere on the website.

Zilch Anywhere £3.00 fee per transaction Representative example APR 11.50% on a £400 loan at non-eligible stores.

If you make a credit transaction of £400 with a transaction fee of £3.00 added to it, then repay it in four equal installments of £100 over the period of 6 weeks, the total amount payable will be £403.00 assuming that you do not break the agreement during this period

18. Where can I see how much money I can spend with Zilch?

When you sign up alone, or through a referral link (where you can earn £5 in Zilch rewards), you will be given a standard amount of money to spend on purchases to ‘pay now’ or buy now pay later through its ‘pay-over-6-weeks option. When you attach your Zilch card to your bank, your maximum amount to spend may be increased, so it’s worthwhile to connect to your bank.

My allowance, for example, is £600. I rarely use the pay over 6 weeks option, so there is always a £600 limit there for my online spends.

When on the homepage, simply find the merchant you would like to shop with and you’ll be able to see the maximum amount of money you can spend at that store. As and when you use Zilch, this amount will vary based on how much you’ve shopped and how many purchases you’ve fully paid back.

19. Is there anywhere I cannot use my virtual Zilch card?

Through our collection of retailers, you can use your virtual Zilch card almost anywhere online.

There are however some goods, digital content, and services where you can’t use your Virtual Zilch card.

Items you cannot use Zilch for:

  • Adult products and content
  • Alcohol
  • Cash advances
  • Credit card and loan payments
  • Coins or precious metals
  • Foreign currency
  • Gambling
  • Gaming
  • Gift cards (Outside of Gift Cards By Zilch)
  • Illegal items and activities
  • Money transfer services
  • Narcotics and drugs including paraphernalia
  • Virtual currency, including cryptocurrency
  • Vouchers
  • Weapons, including parts and accessories

Funds will not be provided for the purposes of money remittance, money transfer, or electronic wallet transfer.

20. Is Zilch good to use for monthly subscriptions?

Using Zilch for monthly subscription payments can get complicated because further payments will no longer be authorised at the original percentage. When you click on the ‘Pay over 6 week’, Zilch is only authorised to take those four payments over six weeks, your 25% upfront payment, then 25% payment on the 2nd week, the third payment of 25% on the 4th week, and the final 25% payment on the 6th week. It’s all interest-free.

They want you to get the most out of your virtual Mastercard, so suggest sticking to one-off purchases only. Once you have gotten used to the process, you can perhaps look at making full payments on your energy bills etc, and earning cashback rewards.

I’ll give you some examples of how monthly subscriptions work with Zilch. We pay for Sky Broadband and for the first payment we received the full 2 percent in Zilch rewards, but now we only receive 0.5 percent so 14 pence each month for this bill. Same with The Modern Milkman. If I am adding a one-off item, we receive 2 percent in Zilch rewards, but for the weekly payment we only receive a few pence as it’s only 0.5 percent.

21. Can I get a Zilch plastic card to use in-store?

Unfortunately not. There is no Zilch plastic card. The company is all about reducing plastic card usage and has set up a virtual Mastercard that you can easily access through Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Apple Pay.

Did you know that most expired bank cards end up in landfills because they’re made of hard-to-recycle PVC plastic? There is no physical Zilch plastic card.

Zilch is consciously green and plastic-free. They are all about reducing waste and carbon footprint. Instead of a Zilch plastic card, they offer a game-changing Zilch Virtual Mastercard that you can use anywhere there is a Mastercard sign.

22. Why should I visit Zilch before I make a purchase?

It’s good practice to visit Zilch to see if your online or in-store retailer is already listed there. They know that it’s an extra step, but it’s also an extra layer of protection. Your Zilch Virtual Mastercard is locked when you are not using it and even if the virtual MasterCard did not copy, UNTIL you make your purchase with THAT merchant, you cannot get the ‘finished shopping’ to shift off your Zilch app. You will have to make the purchase within two hours, and then the system will reset to normal. If in the circumstances the purchase did go through, you may only have earned 0.5 percent in cashback rewards as the Zilch Anywhere provides. and not the 2 to 5 percent.

To unlock it and use it to pay, you’ll have to visit Zilch via its app or website. Then select the store you want to shop at. The more you use Zilch the easier it will become.

This enables your Virtual Mastercard and lets the retailer know at the checkout that you’re using Zilch to pay. Although sometimes the card details can be annoying as they do not paste,, and you may have to return to the website to access your 16-digit card number, please do persevere, as it’s worthwhile to earn the 2 percent cashback, which is more than most banks provide in annual interest. Some merchants now offer up to 5 percent cashback in Zilch rewards.

If you have any other Zilch FAQ that is not answered on this page, please get in touch.