Is It CVV or CVC? Explaining Card Security Codes
Demystify your card's security codes. This guide clarifies common terms, explains where to find them, and reveals their crucial role in safeguarding your online transactions.
Confusion often arises regarding the various terms used for the security codes found on credit and debit cards. These codes are an important component of transaction security, yet their differing names across card types can lead to misunderstanding for many cardholders. This article clarifies these terms and their important role in protecting financial transactions.
Understanding Security Code Terminology
While several terms exist, such as Card Verification Value (CVV), Card Verification Code (CVC), Card Identification Number (CID), and Card Verification Number (CVN), they all refer to the same type of security feature. Different payment card networks use distinct names for this code, but their fundamental purpose remains consistent across all card brands. For example, Visa uses CVV, while Mastercard uses CVC.
American Express cards use CID, and Discover cards use CVV or CVN. Despite varying nomenclature, these codes provide an extra layer of security during transactions. The interchangeability of these terms means that when asked for a “security code,” any of these names refer to the same protective number.
Locating the Security Code on Your Card
The placement and number of digits for your card’s security code vary by card network. For Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards, the security code is a three-digit number. This code is printed on the back of the card, within or near the signature strip.
American Express cards, however, feature a four-digit security code. This code is located on the front of the card, above the main account number.
The Purpose of the Security Code
Security codes safeguard cardholders from unauthorized use, especially in “card-not-present” transactions like online or telephone orders. Unlike the card number and expiration date, this code is not embossed on the card, making it more difficult for fraudsters to obtain through visual inspection or skimming devices. The code helps verify that the individual making the purchase physically possesses the card.
Merchants are prohibited from storing these security codes after a transaction is authorized, which enhances security. This policy ensures that even if a merchant’s database is compromised, the sensitive security code is not available for theft. This protective measure reduces the risk of fraud by adding a verification layer beyond the card number and expiration date.