Card security code (CVC, CVV, CID)

The card security code is a 3- or 4-digit numeric code printed on a payment card that serves as an additional security feature for card-not-present transactions, such as those made online or over the phone. This code is known by several names depending on the card network: CVV (Card Verification Value) for Visa, CVC (Card Verification Code) for MasterCard, and CID (Card Identification Number) for American Express.

Located either on the back of the card in the signature panel (for Visa and MasterCard) or on the front above the card number (for American Express), the card security code provides a crucial layer of security. By requesting this code during a transaction, merchants can verify that the person making the purchase has physical possession of the card and that the card details haven’t been stolen or replicated.

The card security code is never stored by merchants post-transaction to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) regulations, which helps protect against unauthorized use of the code in future transactions. This practice significantly reduces the risk of fraud in card-not-present environments, ensuring that the actual cardholder is the one initiating the transaction. This simple yet effective verification process is vital for maintaining transaction integrity and safeguarding cardholder information in the digital payment landscape.