what is cvv on credit card

CVV stands for Card Verification Value. It is a security feature on credit and debit cards that is used for card-not-present transactions, where a personal identification number (PIN) cannot be manually entered by the cardholder. The CVV is a three- or four-digit number that is printed (not embossed) on the card, usually on the back of the card for Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, and on the front of the card for American Express. Providing the CVV number in a transaction is intended to verify that the customer has the card in their possession and has seen the card or a record made by somebody who saw the card. The CVV is not the same as the card's secret PIN (Personal Identification Number), and cardholders should never enter their PIN number when asked to provide their CVV