CVV
(CVV2) - The Credit Card Security Code
What
is a CVV code and where can it be found?
The CVV Code
(also known as CVV2) is not your PIN number, but a security code
designed for your safety and security. This protects you and us from
fraud, since the CVV Code is never displayed on credit card receipts.
You will find this number displayed on your credit card in the location
illustrated below:
For American Express cards,
you can find your four-digit verification
number (CVV2) on the front of your credit card above the credit card
number on either the right or the left side of your credit card. (see
illustration)
For Visa / MasterCard the
three-digit verification number (CVV2) code
is in the signature area on the back of your credit card far right side.
Your credit card number should be printed here along with a three-digit
number at the end. (see illustration) (This is NOT the last 3 digits of
your credit card number but the last three digits after the credit card
number.)
MasterCard...Visa
American Express
How
is security improved by using the CVV code?
The CVV code can only be found on the card
itself and nowhere else, not even on
associated credit card statements. This means that the person
requesting the transaction must have (or have had) the card in their
hands.
Requiring that
a card transaction is validated with the CVV code provides good
protection against fraudulent use of a card number that has been
obtained without permission or that has simply been guessed. It
protects you against other people trying to use your card number
fraudulently.
What
is your policy for use of CVV codes?
A CVV code is required for all
our on-line credit card transactions and is
used temporarily for the purpose of verifying and executing a current
transaction. Once a transaction has been processed, the CVV number is
deleted from our transaction database.
The CVV code is never
displayed for administrative purposes, it
is passed electronically (using encryption) and without visual
inspection directly to the online processing gateway.
Transaction
failures caused by CVV validation errors are always investigated and,
if appropriate, escalated to the credit card company.