what is a cvv on a visa card

The CVV (Card Verification Value) is a security feature on credit and debit cards. It is a three- or four-digit number printed on the card, separate from the card number, and is used to provide an extra layer of security for card-not-present transactions, such as online or over-the-phone purchases. The CVV is not the same as the PIN (Personal Identification Number) and is used to prove that the cardholder has the physical card, reducing the risk of fraud. For Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards, the CVV is a three-digit code located on the back, usually inside or just above the signature strip. American Express cards have a four-digit CVV located on the front, above the Amex logo. The CVV is not stored by merchants to prevent unauthorized transactions, and it is automatically generated by the card issuer, providing a unique code for each card.