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A credit card CVV number is a security code that appears on credit and debit cards, providing an extra layer of protection against unauthorized use. It is not included in the embossing and is required at the point of purchase to reduce the incidence of fraud.
Also known as a credit card security code, a credit card CVV number is a series of numbers that is included with a credit card account and appears on the actual credit card issued for that account. The purpose of the CVV number is to provide an extra layer of protection for the cardholder, making it more difficult for the card to be used by unauthorized persons. The nature of the number is such that it is much more difficult to access the number without physical possession of the credit card, a measure that helps minimize the potential for credit card theft and misuse.
An abbreviation for card verification value, the CVV is also included on most debit cards issued by banks and other financial institutions. Additionally, prepaid credit cards and debit accounts not associated with checking accounts may also include this number in their general account settings. In each case, the presence of the number helps to improve the level of protection of the card and reduces the chances of the card being used without the express consent of the cardholder.
Unlike other information that appears on a credit or debit card, the credit card CVV number is not included in the embossing, as is the case with the credit card account number. The location of the CVV number will also vary from one type of credit card to another, with some appearing on the front of the card immediately after the embossed account number, and others on the back of the card on the signature line. In many cases, the CVV number’s size and type set is different from the other numbers included on the card surface, making it less visible to anyone not holding the card at close range.
In practice, the credit card CVV number helps reduce the incidence of credit and debit card fraud by requiring consumers to provide the number at the point of purchase. This means that the user may have to present the physical card when purchasing products in a store, allowing the clerk to verify the three or four digits that make up the number. When making purchases online, the card user may be required to enter the number in a protected field that is separate from the credit card number field, indicating that he or she has physical possession of the card. While not foolproof, this level of security makes it a bit more difficult for thieves to use credit card numbers alone, making it necessary for them to try to secure the credit card CVV number as well. Since that can often be much more difficult to manage, cards equipped with this feature are considered at least somewhat safer from the incidence of fraud.
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