A system for authorizing an electronic transaction in an augmented reality environment comprises an augmented reality user device and an authentication server. The augmented reality user device includes a display that overlays virtual objects onto a field of view of the user. The user device receives a request to verify information about a payment card used in an electronic transaction. The request includes a virtual authentication object, which is a virtual representation of an object capable of being manipulated by the user in a particular sequence to enter an authentication code. The user device displays the virtual authentication object to the user and detects gestures performed on the virtual authentication object. The user device sends the detected gestures to the authentication server. The authentication server determines the authentication code using the virtual authentication object and the detected gestures, and uses it to authorize the transaction.