Card Validation Value/Code The Card Validation Value, Card Validation Code or Card Identification
Number (CVV for Visa, CVC for MasterCard and CIN for American Express) is a
security code printed on the credit card. On Visa and MasterCard, the three-digit
code is on the back signature panel. The American Express code is four digits
and is on the front of the card.
The CVV/CVC/CIN
helps validate your purchase as legitimate. We use this code, as well as Address
and Zip Code verification, to make decisions on whether to accept charges. This
increases our commitment to protect consumers from fraud and reduces our exposure
to fraud.
If your card
does not have the CVV/CVC/CIN feature, please enter "0000".
More Information:
- All MasterCard cards
were required to have CVC by January 1, 1997.
- All Visa cards will
be required to have CVV by January 1, 2001.
- All U.S. issued American
Express have the CIN feature.
- The back panel of most
Visa/MasterCard cards contain the full 16-digit account number, followed by
the CVV/CVC code. Some banks, though, only show the last four digits of the
account number followed by the code. This change makes it easier for cardholders
to sign their cards and for brick and mortar merchants to compare signatures.
