
The card security code is typically the last three or four digits printed, not embossed like the card number, on the signature strip on the back of the card. It is supported by a number of payment systems, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. Touch ID or Face ID), or the device's set passcode.

"CVD" or "card verification data": Discover.American Express also sometimes refers to a "unique card code". American Express usually uses the four-digit code on the front of the card, referred to as the card identification code (CID), but also has a three-digit code on the back of the card, referred to as the card security code (CSC). "CID": "card ID", "card identification number", or "card identification code": Discover, American Express (four digits on front of card)."CAV" or "card authentication value": JCB."CVV" or "card verification value": Visa."CVC" or "card validation code": Mastercard."CSC" or "card security code": debit cards, American Express (three digits on back of card, also referred to as 3CSC).American Express started to use the CSC in 1999, in response to growing Internet transactions and card member complaints of spending interruptions when the security of a card has been brought into question.Ĭontactless card and chip cards may electronically generate their own code, such as iCVV or a dynamic CVV. Mastercard started issuing CVC2 numbers in 1997 and Visa in the United States issued them by 2001. After testing with the Littlewoods Home Shopping group and NatWest bank, the concept was adopted by the UK Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) and streamlined to the three-digit code known today.

See the figures to the right for examples.ĬSC was originally developed in the UK as an eleven-character alphanumeric code by Equifax employee Michael Stone in 1995. The CSC for American Express is a four-digit code on the front of the card above the account number.

The CSC for Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards is a three-digit number on the back of the card, to the right of the signature box. These codes are in slightly different places for different card issuers. It was instituted to reduce the incidence of credit card fraud. The CSC is used as a security feature for card not present transactions, where a personal identification number (PIN) cannot be manually entered by the cardholder (as they would during point-of-sale or card present transactions). On American Express cards, the card security code is a printed, not embossed, group of four digits on the front towards the rightĪ card security code ( CSC also known as CVC, CVV, or several other names) is a series of numbers that, in addition to the bank card number, is embossed or printed on a card.
