CVV2

Card Verification Value 2

A security feature used in payment card transactions to help verify that the person making the transaction is in possession of the actual physical card. It is a three- or four-digit code found on the back of most credit and debit cards (except for American Express, where it is usually on the front).

CVV2 Key Details

1. Location on the Card:
   • For Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, the CVV2 is a three-digit number located on the back of the card, usually near the signature strip.
   • For American Express, the code is a four-digit number printed on the front of the card, just above the card number.
2. Purpose: The CVV2 is intended to add an extra layer of security for card-not-present transactions, such as online or over-the-phone purchases. Since the CVV2 is not stored in the magnetic stripe or chip, it helps ensure that the buyer has the actual card in hand and not just the card number.
3. Protection of Sensitive Data: PCI DSS prohibits the storage of the CVV2 code after a transaction is completed. Businesses must process the CVV2 during the transaction but cannot store it, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches involving cardholder verification codes.
4. Other Names: While Visa refers to it as CVV2, other payment networks have similar terms:
   • CVC2 (Card Validation Code 2) for MasterCard.
   • CID (Card Identification Number) for American Express and Discover.

The CVV2 plays an essential role in enhancing the security of remote payment transactions. By requiring this additional verification step, it helps reduce fraud.

• Abbreviation: CVV2