WHAT IS CVV?

What is the CVV Number?

CARD VERIFICATION VALUE CODE (CVV)

CVV is an authentication procedure established by credit card companies to further efforts towards reducing fraud for Internet transactions. The CVV code is a security feature for “card not present” transactions (e.g., Internet transactions,) and now appears on most (but not all) major credit and debit cards. This new feature is a three- or four-digit code which provides a cryptographic check of the information embossed on the card. Therefore, the CVV code is not part of the card number itself.

The CVV code helps ascertain that the customer placing the order actually possesses the credit/debit card and that the card account is legitimate. Each credit card company has its own name for the CVV code, but it functions the same for all major card types. VISA refers to the code as CVV2 and MasterCard calls it CVC2.

The back panel of most Visa/MasterCard cards contain the full 16-digit account number, followed by the CVV/CVC code. Some banks, though, only show the last four digits of the account number followed by the code.

Where is the CVV Number?

Visa

This number is printed on your Visa card in the signature area of the back of the card (it is the last 3 digits AFTER the credit card number in the signature area of the card.)

MasterCard

This number is printed on your MasterCard card in the signature area of the back of the card (it is the last 3 digits AFTER the credit card number in the signature area of the card.)