What Is the CVC on a Credit Card?
- The CVC on your card is either a three-digit or four-digit number on the front or back of your credit card. The length of the code depends on the issuing credit card company. Visa and MasterCard use a three-digit CVC, while American Express uses a four-digit code. This series of numbers is a security measure designed to protect your credit card from use by someone who steals your credit card number but is not in possession of the physical card.
- The CVC on your credit card protects the use of your card, because the numbers only appear on the face or reverse of your card. The card's magnetic strip does not contain this information. Receipts generated from the use of your credit card do not show your CVC, keeping the number hidden and for your use only. In short, unless someone has the card in hand, the three-digit or four-digit CVC on your credit card is not available to use.
- Online retailers commonly require the input of your credit card's CVC into an online order form, because it confirms for the retailer that you have the card in hand. This is an important security feature for online stores, because it ensures the company processes only legitimate orders and doesn't lose money filling fraudulent claims. Online companies do not keep this information, and you should not save information on web pages that contain your credit card's CVC. This prevents the theft of your code by hackers.
- If your credit card is lost or stolen, contact your credit card company as soon as possible. A thief can use your card with your CVC number to make fraudulent purchases in your name. When contacted, your credit card company will cancel the card immediately and issue you a new credit card from a new account with a new CVC. Place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus. You should have no liability for fraudulent purchases made with your credit card if you report the theft promptly.