A CVV (Card Verification Value) is a series of numbers printed on a credit or debit card, in addition to the bank card number, as a security feature for card-not-present transactions, where a personal identification number (PIN) cannot be manually entered by the cardholder
. CVVs are also known as CSC (Card Security Code), CVC (Card Verification Code), or CVC2 (Card Verification Code 2)
. The CVV number helps protect your card from unauthorized purchases and is typically used for online or phone transactions
. There are two types of CVVs:
- CVV1 : This is the code that is encrypted in the card's magnetic strip and is not visible. It is automatically read by the POS (Point of Sale) terminal when you make a purchase
- CVV2 : This is a separate code that is usually located on the back of the card. It is sometimes referred to as a dynamic CVV, as it changes from time to time
CVVs are different from personal identification numbers (PINs), which are used for in-person payments or using your debit card at an ATM
. CVV numbers are assigned based on factors such as the account number, expiration date, and card network
. To find your card's CVV, you can look for a three-digit number on the back of the card or a four-digit number on the front of the card
. For example, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover branded credit and debit cards typically have a three-digit CVV, while American Express branded cards have a four-digit CVV
