The use of plastic money has expanded dramatically due to the digital revolution, and most individuals prefer to pay merchants with their debit or credit card because it is one of the most convenient means of online payment. In these types of transactions, we frequently hear the term "CVV code," but do we understand what it means or where is the CVV on a credit card? We often overlook these details, but everyone should be aware of the significance of a CVV number and why it should be private. In this article, we will learn everything there is to know about CVV code and how to use it.
What is the CVV code?
The full form of CVV code is Card Verification Value. It's a three-digit code found on the back of your debit (ATM) or credit card. It is a secret code known only to respective cardholders and is crucial for online transactions.
CVV codes are used to offer an extra layer of protection to online and phone purchases. Because you're not physically presenting the card, you're proving that you have one, which can assist in securing your identity.
Where is the CVV on a credit card?
This CVV number is found on every debit and credit card. This is a unique number for each card. Banks and financial institutions provide CVV numbers based on the following information:
- Debit/credit card number
- Card expiry date
- Service code
- Issuer's unique code
A debit/credit card carries the following information: card number, the complete name of cardholder, date of issue, card expiration date, and CVV number.
These facts, especially the CVV number, card number, and expiration date, are private and should not be shared with anybody.
What is the difference between CVV and PIN?
PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) and CVVs are not the same. Using your credit or debit card at an ATM requires a PIN. They're also used when using your debit card or credit card to make an in-person transaction at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. When a store asks for your CVV, don't use your PIN.
Also Read: How to Check Bank Balance Without Going to the Bank?
What are CSC and CVV2 numbers?
CSC or Card Security Code is another name for CVV number. CVV2 numbers (usually found in Visa cards) are the same as CVV. The "2" indicates that the CVV number was generated using a second-generation algorithm to make it more difficult to guess by hackers.
What is CVC?
Card verification code, or CVC, is essentially the same as CVV. It goes by different names depending on the card issuer, but it all serves the same purpose: to confirm your transactions. CVV2, CVC2, CSC (card security code), or CID (card identification number) are other terms you might encounter while conducting online transactions.
CVV Number Components
Card Verification Values (CVV) are divided into two parts:
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Black Magnetic Strip
The black magnetic stripe on your card is a necessary component of CVV. You've probably noticed the black magnetic stripe on the back of your debit card. This black strip of debit card includes highly important unique data. When a card is swiped through a magnetic card reader machine, information is retrieved.
-
Three digits number
The CVV's second component is the three-digit number. When making an online transaction with your debit/credit card, these digits (CVV number) are necessary.
How to check CVV number?
The CVV of your card is printed on it, although the location may change.
- The CVV is usually found on the back of a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card, at the far-right side of the box where you are supposed to sign the card.
- An American Express card's four-digit security code is normally found on the front, above the credit card number.
- The security code may be located elsewhere on the card, such as on the back, below the credit card number.
The CVV codes for debit and credit cards are provided below, organised by card type:
|
Card Network |
CVV Code Location |
No of Digits |
|
Visa |
To the right of the signature on the back of the card |
3 |
|
MasterCard |
To the right of the signature on the back of the card |
3 |
|
Rupay |
To the right of the signature on the back of the card |
3 |
|
Discover |
To the right of the signature on the back of the card |
3 |
|
American Express |
Front of card, above and to right of the number |
4 |
What is the use of the CVV number?
Every time you use your card to make a payment on an e-commerce website, they will ask for a CVV number, even if you have saved your card. These e-commerce sites do not save your CVV number, protecting you against online fraud. Furthermore, magnetic card reader machines do not copy or save the CVV number when swiping the card.
Two-factor authentication is achieved through the use of card security codes. To authenticate you are the cardholder, two-factor authentication is conducted. For a credit card, it is the credit card number and a CVV. The CVV helps prevent fraud by confirming that the card is in your possession.
Remember that your CVV (Card Verification Value) cannot be deduced from your debit/credit card number alone. If there is a change in the data stored on your card's black magnetic stripe, the transaction will be denied owing to a "damaged card." As a result, we don't have to be as concerned about fraudulent transactions because they provide various safeguards.
Online transactions and other virtual payment gateways primarily employ debit and credit cards. Because it is against the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, these portals are not authorised to save any information on the cardholder's CCV/CVV number. Even if the merchant has all of your card's other information, they won't be able to see the CCV/CVV. This eliminates the possibility of someone misusing your card details. As a result, if the credit card issuing company's data security is breached, the CCV/CVV is not stored in the databases. Without the CCV/CVV, no one would be able to use your credit card for any purchases.
How to protect your credit card and CVV number?
The addition of a CVV number to your online transactions offers an extra layer of protection. That isn't to say you shouldn't be concerned about card security. Many cyber hackers are capable of stealing your CVV and causing significant damage.
You might, for example, end yourself on a spoof site that looks identical to your favourite online store. Alternatively, you may plan a vacation on a legitimate website that is hacked and transfer your financial information to a hacker. So, what should you do to safeguard your financial data?
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Don’t pre-save card data
Avoid storing your information on shopping websites. Resist the impulse to save your information on merchant websites, even if it's convenient. It's tough to keep track of what security measures each of them employs.
-
Use a prepaid or virtual card
Ask your credit card company if they can assist you in setting up a` virtual card or acquiring a prepaid card. Before making any purchases, you can top-up such cards. If something goes wrong, the hacker will only get your virtual/prepaid card information. They won't be able to deplete your bank account or steal your identity completely.
-
Use password manager
Several free password managers are available that allow you to create and save secure, unique passwords for each website.
-
Shop on safe websites
When shopping online, keep an eye out for HTTPS or HTTP sites. Take a look at the URL bar: is there a padlock icon there? If you see one, you're on an HTTPS site, which implies your data is encrypted. It also indicates that the website is trustworthy.
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Recognise phishing attempts
Phishing is a type of social engineering method that seeks to entice you into divulging critical information. It can come in the form of an email with a malicious attachment or a link that takes you to a fake website. Remember that if an offer seems too good to be true, it most often is. Check thoroughly and avoid opening such emails or giving your CVV number or other information.
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Use Antivirus Software
When shopping online, use antivirus software to protect your credit card information, especially the CVV number, from hackers.
Dynamic CVV and EMV Chip Cards
With the introduction of chip-based debit and credit cards, banks and retailers have increased the security of in-person transactions. This method allows the internal code to vary each time the card is read, which significantly improves the magnetic stripe approach. This has proven to be quite helpful in decreasing fraudulent activities.
But what about purchases that take place over the phone or online? A physical chip would be useless; this is why your card has a CVV number printed on it. Even though retailers are barred from digitally keeping CVVs, the most proficient crooks can sometimes obtain them.
The proposed solution is known as "dynamic CVV" because it allows the printed code to alter at a predetermined period. This would take place on the back of the card, on a small lithium battery-powered screen.
While the technology has obvious benefits, it isn't perfect. The cards would be four to five times more expensive to make than existing models, and selecting the frequency of code changes would be challenging. However, the cost savings from fraud may be sufficient to compensate for the higher production costs.
Also Read: Cancelled Cheque – How to Write, Purpose, Leaf and Example
Conclusion
With the growing population of millennials and the government's push to promote digital India, online payment and digital transactions will undoubtedly increase in the future. As a result, it is our job to understand all aspects of technology before adopting it. Debit and credit card payments have been around for a long time, yet few people are aware of the CVV number in debit cards or where is the CVV on a debit card. This article is primarily intended to shed light on how to know CVV number on debit cards.
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