With the increase in online shopping, credit cards have also increased. Since the pandemic, the e-commerce trend has been in full swing. To complete purchases is necessary to enter all the data, including the card’s security code.
In addition, stores ask customers for their credit card number, account holder’s name, and card expiration date. The details are not just formality, and it is about providing greater security for both the buyer and the seller.
Some situations make it difficult to see some data on the card. In that sense, there are ways to find the credit card security code without a card.
What is the credit card security code?
The security code or Card Verification Value (CVV) is a small number composed of three or four digits to prevent fraud. It is printed, in most cases, on the back of the card near the signature line. American Express includes it on the front.
It is a unique number intended to add a layer of security to the card account. Stores or companies use it to verify the purchase when there is no physical card. The code was designed as a fraud prevention measure.
When the credit card security code is requested, the company can be confident that the person using the card is the cardholder and has possession of the card, not using a stolen number.
What to do when you do not have the card security code
Card-not-present or CNP transactions are purchases made without a physical card. The security code protects the company or store and the account holder from unauthorized use. The only way to know this code is to have the physical card and verify the number.
To find a credit card security code without a card, you should contact the issuer and state your request if you lose the card or the security code is no longer visible. They will probably issue you a new card with its security code. Remember that it is a unique number for each card.
Apple credit cards do not have a printed CVV. You can find the security code information in the Apple Wallet app on your iPhone. If you have any other credit card that also does not have the code, you can call the issuer to get the number.
Remember that, for online purchases, this is the most important piece of information. Even when you provide details of the card number and the cardholder’s personal information, the CVV number is the one that closes the deal with the seller. Completing the purchase will not be possible if you do not have it.
To get a clearer idea of where to find the security code, on credit cards connected to various payment processing networks, such as MasterCard, Visa, and Discover, the code is a three-digit number located on the back of the signature bar. A completely different number than the expiration date and card number.
The American Express security code is four digits long and appears on the front of the card. It differs from the card number in that it is flat. It is located above the account number, palpable because it is embossed.
How to protect your security code during a purchase
Since the function of the credit card security code is to serve as a protective measure against scams, you need to know how to act to take care of your financial and personal information while purchasing without a physical card.
- Always use antivirus software as an additional layer of security on your computer.
- Avoid making online purchases in public places using unsecured wifi.
- It is important to install a firewall on the computer to protect all your information when shopping from home.
- Verify the addresses of purchases, and they should start with “HTTPS” because they are the most secure.
- Share credit card information only in trustworthy stores.
- In case of loss or theft, notify the card issuer immediately.
Keep in mind that the security code is not just a random number. Its role is extremely important. It prevents identity thieves from using the card information for fraud.
Among the most common scams that cardholders can fall victim to is phishing, when a person tries to scam you through emails or text messaging. They try to obtain the credit card security code, expiration date, card numbers, and account passwords.
The surprising thing about this type of crime is that the emails are convincing. It is recommended not to click on links to enter financial or personal data requested by a supposed company without receiving a secure call confirming the request.
What is the importance of credit card security codes?
It is very important to understand that finding the credit card security code without a card is necessary for better security. PCI standards enforce the protection of this code by prohibiting the storage of this data.
When making a purchase, the card number can be stored, making them more vulnerable to fraud. However, stores or merchants cannot do the same with security codes. Fraud occurs, in most cases, when the physical card is in hand.
Requesting the credit card security code protects both the consumer and the merchant. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the buyer’s liability for fraudulent transactions with lost or stolen cards is limited if the card issuer is promptly informed.
The largest percentage of credit card fraud losses fall on the bank or the seller. Because of this, the best shield for them is to ask for the code information. However, it would be best not to provide the card information by email or telephone.