What is a CVV Number and How Do I Find It?
A credit card security code, commonly called a CVV or CVC code, is an extra 3-4 digit number printed on the signature panel on the back of your credit card. The purpose of this number is to help verify that you have physical possession of your credit card when making purchases online. This helps prevent someone from stealing your information and using your credit card fraudulently. In other words, you punch in the security code when prompted and if it doesn’t match what’s printed on your card then the transaction won’t be completed.
To find your CVV number, look at the signature box on the back of your credit card and locate these 3-4 digits:
The CVV number should appear directly above or below your credit card number printed on the signature box (see image below).
If you look closely at the following picture, you can see that the 3 digits of this guy’s credit card security code are located to the right of his billing zip code. This is not always the case though. Sometimes the 3 digits of the CVV may be located to the left of your billing zip code and sometimes it is printed below, beside or behind your credit card number:
For example, if your CVV security code is 1234 then you should find it printed on your credit card as either “1234” or “XXXXX” or “XXXX-YY”. If it says “XXXXX” then the 3 digits of your CVV code are all X’s.
You should always check your credit card to look for the security code. However, if you do not have access to your physical card or if you are using an eCommerce website where they do not require you to enter the security code then try these methods instead:
- Try looking on your online account statement for the 3-digit security code. Your credit card issuer should show it on your statement if you are paying by internet or phone so this is one way to find it easily. If you cannot find the number here either, check back on the statement the day after to see if they updated it and forgot to tell you.
- You can also try using your bank or credit card company’s automated phone system and ask them to read off your security code for you over the phone.
- Call your issuer and verify that all the information they have on file is accurate and up to date. For example, if your address is wrong or out of date then they may not be able to locate your security code either.
- If you still cannot find it and need assistance, contact your card issuer and tell them that you are trying to make an internet purchase but the website that you are using is not accepting your security code. They should be able to give you the necessary information over the phone quickly and easily.
0