Alternate Names

• Other common names include card verification value (CVV), Card Verification Number (CVN) and card identification number (CID).
  
  

Function

• A credit card verification code is used to help ensure that the person entering the credit card account number is the owner of the card, providing added security for transactions conducted by phone or internet.
  
  

Identification

• VISA, MasterCard and DiscoverCard use a 3-digit number on the back of the card, while American Express uses a 4-digit code, printed on the front.
  
  

Types

• MasterCard refers to its code as CVC2, VISA's name for the number CVV2, and American Express and DiscoverCard both call it CID.
  
  

Considerations

• The credit card verification code is not allowed to be stored in the merchant's computer system, and is not printed on monthly statements or receipts. It is also not part of the actual credit card number.