Each credit card has a unique number printed on the front, that makes it easy to track payments made by a specific credit card user. Each card also has a CVV card printed on the back or on the front.
What is a CVV?
The Card Verification Value (CVV) is an extra code that is printed on your debit or credit card.
It’s essentially an anti-fraud security feature to help verify that you are in possession of your credit card. Also known as a Card Security Code (CSC), it was originally developed in the United Kingdom as an 11 character alphanumeric code by Equifax employee Michael Stone in 1995.
It was eventually streamlined to the 3 digit code known today.
As a credit card holder, here are some basic facts you need to know about a credit card with CVV:
The CVV is generated by the card issuer. This code is automatically retrieved when the magnetic stripe of a card is swiped on a point-of-sale (card present) device and is verified by the issuer.
The credit card CVV of Visa, MasterCard and Diners is the final three digits of the number printed on the signature strip on the back of your card.
On an American Express card. It contains four digits and is located on the front near the embossed account number.
As a credit card holder you need to make sure that you keep your credit card safe and that you never share your credit card details with anyone.
The CVV is used as a security feature, in situations where a PIN cannot be used.
How it works is that by providing your credit card CVV number to an online merchant proves that you actually have the physical credit or debit card and helps to keep you safe while also reducing fraud.
