When you make a purchase online or over the phone, you’ll generally be asked to provide your card’s number, expiration date and CVV or CVC number.
What is a CVV or CVC?
A CVV or CVC is a series of three or four numbers that are printed on your credit card or debit card. It is a security feature that is used when you are making a remote transaction, without you or your card being physically present, such as if you buy something online or over the phone.
The code is designed to protect you against fraud and shows that you are in possession of the card. It can help against fraud if your credit or debit card number is stolen, but not your physical card.
What does CVV and CVC stand for?
CVV stands for ‘card verification value’, while CVC stands for ‘card verification code’. It is also sometimes referred to as the security number, card security code or personal security code, or other codes like CVV2, CVC2, CSC and CID.
Where do I find my CVV or CVC?
This depends on the type of card you have. For Visa and Mastercard credit cards or debit cards, you can find the CVV or CVC code printed on the back of your credit card, on the right-hand side of the signature strip. For American Express cards, the number is located on the front of the card.
Is my CVV or CVC number three or four digits?
This will depend on who the credit card provider is. Visa and Mastercard cards have three-digit codes, while American Express cards have four-digit codes.
Are CVV or CVC numbers the same as my PIN?
No, a CVV or CVC number is not the same as a PIN number. Your personal identification number (PIN) is a series of numbers that you use to authenticate transactions and can be used instead of a signature. You can choose your own PIN number and can generally change it through your internet banking. It’s generally recommended that you don’t write down your PIN and you definitely wouldn’t write it down on the card itself. In comparison, CVV/CVC numbers are generated by your credit card issuer and printed on the card.
Is it safe to give out your CVV or CVC number?
You will generally be asked to provide your CVV or CVC number when you make a purchase online or over the phone. Generally, American Express says this should be safe if you know the merchant and you are not in a public place where you can be overheard for phone orders.
When shopping online, American Express recommends looking to see if the website starts with https://. The ‘s’ indicates that the site is secure and means your information will be encrypted. When shopping online, it also recommends that you don’t save your credit card information on the site and instead enter it again for future purchases.
