What is the Card Verification Code?

Also known as CVV2 or CVC2, it is a three-digit number imprinted on the signature panel of Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards to help card-not-present merchants verify that the customer has a legitimate card in hand at the time of the order. The merchant asks the customer for the CVV2 code and then sends it to the card Issuer as part of the authorization request. The card Issuer checks the CVV2 code to determine its validity, then sends a CVV2 result back to the merchant along with the authorization. CVV2 is required on all Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards.

Where is the code on my card?

Visa and MasterCard credit/debit cards have the three-digit value printed on the signature panel on the back of the card immediately following the card account number. The back panel of most Visa/MasterCard cards contain the full 16-digit account number, followed by the CVV/CVC code. Some banks, though, only show the last four digits of the account number followed by the code.

American Express cards have a four-digit non-embossed code located on the front of the card.

What does the code do?

The CVV2 value protects the customer and helps validate the following:

The customer has the card in his or her possession.

The card account is legitimate.

Prevents the use of your Credit Card Number without the matching CVV2 Code.

Contact your bank or card issuer for more details.