What Is the 3-Digit Code on a Credit Card Called?

The small, distinct code printed on credit and debit cards serves as a crucial security feature in today’s financial landscape. This code acts as a protective layer, designed to safeguard cardholders and merchants against fraudulent activities. It plays an important role in verifying transactions, particularly in environments where the physical card is not presented for inspection.

Identifying the Code and Its Names

The three- or four-digit code on payment cards is known by several names, reflecting its use across various card networks. Common terms include Card Verification Value (CVV), Card Verification Code (CVC), Card Identification Number (CID), and Card Security Code (CSC). For most Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards, this three-digit code is on the back, typically near the signature strip. American Express cards feature a four-digit code, usually found on the front of the card, often above or to the right of the main card number. This code is printed, not embossed, distinguishing it from the raised card number.

How the Code Enhances Security

This code primarily enhances security for “card-not-present” (CNP) transactions, including online purchases, phone orders, or mail orders. It helps verify that the individual making the purchase physically possesses the card. By requiring this code, merchants add an additional layer of verification, making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to use stolen card numbers and expiration dates alone. This security measure reduces the risk of fraud where only card details might be compromised, such as through data breaches that do not include the security code. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) prohibits merchants from storing this code after a transaction has been authorized, meaning security codes are generally not accessible to fraudsters even if a merchant’s database is breached.

Safeguarding Your Code

Protecting your card’s security code requires vigilance and adherence to best practices. Never disclose this code unnecessarily, especially in response to unsolicited requests via email, text messages, or phone calls, as these are common phishing attempts. Only enter the code on secure and trusted websites, which display “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating an encrypted connection. Physically protecting your card from unauthorized viewing is also important to prevent the code from being copied. When a card expires or is no longer needed, it should be thoroughly destroyed to prevent the recovery of sensitive information; for plastic cards, this involves cutting through the magnetic stripe, chip, and numbers, preferably into multiple pieces disposed of separately, while metal cards should typically be returned to the card issuer for secure disposal.