What Is a Tracking Number on a Card?
Clarify what a tracking number on a card means. Understand the unique identification numbers found on cards and their essential functions.
While a “tracking number” typically refers to package delivery, when applied to a card, it can mean different types of identification numbers. Each serves a distinct purpose, clarifying how cards are managed, delivered, and used in financial transactions.
Tracking Numbers for Card Delivery
When a new credit, debit, or replacement card is issued, financial institutions send it through shipping carriers. These shipments come with a tracking number, allowing the cardholder to monitor the physical card package’s delivery status. This tracking number is assigned by the shipping carrier for logistics.
Cardholders receive this tracking information via email, SMS, or within their banking app or online portal. By entering this number on the courier’s website, individuals can view the card’s transit details and estimated delivery date. This number is for tracking the shipment of the card, and it is not found on the card itself for financial use.
Key Identification Numbers on Cards
Beyond delivery, cards contain several identification numbers printed directly on them. The most prominent of these is the Primary Account Number (PAN), commonly known as the credit or debit card number. This number, typically 12 to 19 digits long, identifies the card issuer and the specific account. It is found on the front or back of the card and is also encoded on the magnetic stripe and chip.
The PAN’s digits convey specific information. The first digit, known as the Major Industry Identifier (MII), indicates the card network, such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. The subsequent digits form the Bank Identification Number (BIN) or Issuer Identification Number (IIN), which identifies the financial institution that issued the card. The remaining digits identify the individual cardholder’s account, with the last digit verifying authenticity.
Another important number is the Card Verification Value (CVV), sometimes called a security code. This three- or four-digit number is found on the card, usually on the back within the signature strip for Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards, or on the front for American Express cards. The expiration date, also printed on the card, confirms the card’s validity period. For gift and prepaid cards, a unique card number is present, often accompanied by a PIN or security code, which may be hidden under a scratch-off panel on the back of the card.
The Purpose and Use of Card Numbers
Card identification numbers facilitate financial transactions and account management. The Primary Account Number (PAN) processes purchases, withdrawals, and other financial activities, linking the card to the cardholder’s account. This number enables communication between merchants, payment networks, and issuing banks to authorize transactions.
The CVV and expiration date contribute to the security of card-not-present transactions, such as online or phone purchases. Merchants request these details to verify physical card possession, adding a layer of protection against unauthorized use. For gift and prepaid cards, the card number and associated PIN or security code are used to check remaining balances and redeem the card’s value. Protecting these numbers is important due to their sensitive nature, as they are central to managing and securing financial accounts.