Recognize the CVV on a credit card to be safe

If you use a credit card to make purchases online, you'll usually be asked to provide your name, number, expiration date, and something called a CVV or CVC number printed on the card.

This three or four digit number is located on the back of the card and is used to help secure transactions when using the card. Come on, find out more about what the CVV or CVC code means, what the code is for, and how it helps protect the credit card you have.

CVV stands for Card Verification Value while CVC stands for Card Verification Code. CVC or CVV are 3 digit numbers on credit or debit cards branded VISA®, MasterCard® and Discover® while on credit or debit cards branded American Express® CVV or CVC are 4 digits

In general, the location of the CVV code is on the back of a credit or debit card and is written to the right of the cardholder's signature column, whereas specifically for credit cards bearing the American Express logo, the CVV is located on the front of the credit card.

The function or use of CVV ​​and CVC is actually the same, namely to verify that you really own the credit card so that online transactions that you make can continue and remain safe.

Also note that a CVV or CVC is different from a PIN, so don't enter your PIN when asked to fill in the CVV or CVC code. A PIN or Personal Identification Number is required when you make direct purchases or withdraw cash using a debit or credit card. Meanwhile, the CVV or CVC code is needed when you make transactions online.

Apart from CVC, other names for CVV are CSC, CVV2, CVC2, CID, and CVD. This security number is printed on the card and not stored on a chip or magnetic strip.

Recognize CVV and CVV on credit cards so that credit cards are safe! Card types with CVV are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

1.VISA and MasterCard

The most common types of cards using CVC and CVV are debit or credit cards bearing the Visa or MasterCard logo. CVV or CVV both consist of 3 digits. Visa and MasterCard are companies that handle transactions when you use a credit, debit or prepaid card. Visa and MasterCard are intermediaries between you as the consumer, the bank and the merchant. Visa and MasterCard are the two largest payment networks in the world and are not the companies that issue credit cards (which is a common misconception about Visa and MasterCard).

2. American Express

American Express is also a payment network, but there is one key difference to keep in mind. American Express is a credit card issuer as well as a payment network. Visa and MasterCard do not provide credit or issue cards whereas American Express (which is more commonly used in the US), does offer credit and issue cards.

The location and CVV number on American Express are different from VISA and Mastercard. American Express credit cards have the CVV code printed on the front, above the credit card number, and are smaller in size. In addition, American Express cards have a 4-digit CVV number, as opposed to a VISA or MasterCard which only have a 3-digit CVV/CVC number.

3. Discover

Discover is more or less the same as American Express, which is a credit card issuer as well as a payment network. Use of the Discover credit card itself is more common in the United States and there are still large gaps in acceptance of this type of credit card in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The location of the CVV code on the Discover card is on the back of the card and consists of a 3 digit CVV/CVC number.