CVV-code - the key to the card, inaccessible to scammers

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Buying goods in online stores, paying for air and railway tickets, services of various enterprises, as well as other payments made online, have long become the norm for a modern person. The increasing prevalence of online shopping is accompanied by an active growth of fraud. There is a need to come up with new ways to protect bank cards from access to them by ill-wishers. One of the latest measures taken by payment systems was the CVV code.

What is this "beast" and where does it live?

CVV-code - security numbers printed on the back of plastic cards of the most popular payment systems. It is located on the signature strip and consists of three characters. It is these figures that reduce the risks for people who shop online.

However, not all cards have this protection. Let's consider this using the Visa payment system as an example. So, you may simply not find a CVV code for unnamed electronic cards. Visa Electron, for example, was originally intended for making electronic payments for purchases through special terminals. In this case, one can determinethe operation is performed by the cardholder (passport is required, PIN code is required) or not. Later, some banks began issuing Visa electronic cards with a printed CVV code. However, it is not always possible to make purchases via the Internet, it depends on the issuing bank.

Purchase decision depends on availability of CVV code

Which cards must have a CVV code? Visa Classic and categories above must contain three security numbers on the reverse side. They are located to the right of the signature of the owner. In order to pay for services or goods via the Internet with such a card, you will need to enter the CVV code before completing the transaction

This requirement is due to the fact that any Visa card is configured to automatically check the specified security data. Naturally, in addition to the CVV code, you must also enter basic information about the card and its holder, namely: full name, card number and expiration date.

Be vigilant

Often, after performing subsequent operations, the service does not request the CVV code again. So, for example, it happens when transferring money in the Skype system. Therefore, the risk of using the entered information is still there. To protect yourself from scammers, delete your data from the memory of such services after the operation is completed.

CVV code is available not only for Visa, but also for MasterCard and American Express. The cards of the first two payment systems are in many ways similar, including this code, which is three digits on the back of the plastic. AtAmerican Express it consists of four numbers printed on the front side of the card. Be careful when using this payment method in public places to prevent information about it from falling into the wrong hands.

How else can you secure your online shopping?

You can also be advised to use a separate card for online purchases, the money to which you will transfer if necessary to complete such a transaction. The rest of the time she will have a zero balance, and the scammer will not be able to withdraw money from there, even if she tries very hard.

There is also a special card for paying exclusively on the Internet - Visa Virtual. Information about its CVV-code will be available to you immediately at the time of issue. It can be added to any of your existing Visa cards, and the need to enter information about the main means of payment will disappear.