CVV stands for Card Verification Value. Credit card CVV number is an extra three or four digit security code printed on the back of your debit card or credit card which you need to enter each time a payment is made or you are not present to sign a receipt like in the case of online transactions.
Credit card CVV number is used as an authentication method to establish the genuineness of a transaction by the bank or financial institution in a further effort towards reducing fraud for internet transactions.
A credit card holder is required to enter the Card Verification Value number at the time of transaction to verify that the card is on hand. Credit card CVV code is not part of the credit card number itself. This is provided on the back of your credit card so that no one can miss use it for online transaction.
CVV number can be easily obtained when a credit card is swiped to make a transaction. Since it is a small number and can easily be remembered you can not do anything about it.
The other important details such as the credit card number comes in the receipt when swiping it at the counter. This enable one to misuse your credit card. For this reason RBI has made it mandatory to use PIN of all online transactions.
CVV number for credit cards with VISA and MASTERCARD, is the three digit number printed on the signature strip on the back of the card. Whereas, for American Express, CVV number appears as a separate 4 digit code printed on the front of the card.
How to protect your Credit Card CVV Number:
- Please ensure that your credit card is swiped in your present and the card CVV number is not noted down by anyone.
- Update your mobile number and email address to get immediate updates of your transactions.
- Block your credit card immediately if you found that it has been misused by anyone.
- If possible scratch the credit card CVV number or put a sticker on it and memories it or keep it writing at your locker.
- Do not share your credit card CVV number with any one.
- Use trusted site while using your credit card CVV number online