a method and apparatus for shielding a user &# 39 ; s private billing data , such as credit card information , or other billing arrangements , but distributing different billing data to businesses during commerce therewith . also disclosed is assigning the different billing data through real - time and advance distribution of the different billing data to a user , as well . also disclosed is validating the correctness of a charge through confirmation of the charge with a financial institution , such as a bank , and by comparing itemized charges against expected charges identified by the user .