Many credit cards have the CVV number on the back.
The credit card CVV number is located in a slightly different location depending on the specific credit card company. For Visa®, Discover® and MasterCard® cards, the credit card’s CVV number is on the back of the card, but with American Express® cards, the number is on the front of the card. Also, each credit card company refers to the number by a slightly different term: Visa® calls it CVV2: Card Verification Value 2, MasterCard® uses the term CVC2: Card Verification Code 2, and American Express® and Discover® refer to it as the CID, which stands for Card Identification Digits.
Visa®, Discover® and MasterCard®
It is important to protect all credit card numbers, but particularly the CVV number.
To locate the number on a Visa®, Discover® or MasterCard® card, simply flip the card over and look at the signature strip. You will see a four digit number followed by a three digit number; the four-digit number is the same as the last four digits of your credit card number, and the three-digit number is the CVV number of the credit card. You will need to provide those three digits to order online.
American Express® and other credit cards
CVV numbers were added to credit cards in response to the growing popularity of online shopping.
On an American Express® card, the CVV number is located on the front of the card, slightly above and to the right or left of the credit card number. It is a four digit number. For any other credit cards, such as bank-issued credit cards, you may need to call the bank and ask where the credit card’s CVV number is located if you can’t find it on your own; usually it will just be the card number that doesn’t seem to correspond to any other.
Purpose of the CVV
Card Verification Value (CVV) was added to credit cards when online purchases became more common, because its purpose is to physically verify that the person entering the credit card number physically has the card. The number is almost never required for in-person transactions at stores. Most websites now require the credit card number, expiration date, and CVV number for all transactions. It is a form of protection for online shoppers to prevent unauthorized transactions if someone manages to steal the credit card number.
Prevent credit card fraud
It is important to be very careful with all of your credit card numbers, but particularly the CVV number. In addition to protecting credit card information, there are many other ways to help prevent credit card fraud:
only shop online from trusted and secure sites save receipts to compare with billing statements carefully check credit card statements each month for unauthorized charges do not provide credit card information over the phone unless that the company has an absolute reputation never allow anyone to borrow your credit card