When you make credit card purchases online or over the phone, you'll often need the card's security code to complete the transaction. The security code helps to protect you from credit card fraud and serves as a safeguard against unauthorized transactions.
Where you can find the security code on your card depends on the card's network. Below, CNBC Select explains how to locate it and how security codes work.
How credit card security codes work
What is the security code on a credit card?
Finding your card's security code
Can you find your card's security code without the card?
Bottom line
What is the security code on a credit card?
A credit card security code is a three- or four-digit number designed to prevent fraudulent transactions. You might hear this code referred to as the Card Verification Value (CVV). Other common names for it include Card Security Code (CSC), Card Verification Code (CVC or CVC2) and Card Identification Number (CID).
Typically, you need this code when you're making a payment without presenting your physical card. For example, the retailer can prompt you to type in the security code at the checkout when you're shopping online. Or you might need to provide the code when you're making a purchase by phone.
Merchants don't store credit card security codes after completing a transaction. This means people can't gain access to the security codes by hacking into the merchant's electronic database.
Finding your card's security code
With most credit card networks, including Discover, Mastercard and Visa, you'll find the security code on the back of your card, to the right of the card number.
If you're not sure which network your credit card is in, check the right corner on the front and the back of your card. For instance, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, a popular travel credit card, is in the Visa network. You'll find the Visa logo on the back of the card.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Learn More
Rewards
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars, 5 Miles per dollar on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$395
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable APR
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Excellent
Terms apply.
Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.
On the other hand, the Citi Double Cash® Card, our top pick for the best flat-rate cash-back credit card, is a Mastercard — as you can see from the logo on the card.
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Fair/Good/Excellent
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
Security codes work a little differently with American Express cards, which can confuse new Amex cardholders. Amex cards have two security codes — a three-digit number on the back and a four-digit one on the front. For purchases and regular transactions, you'll use the code on the front. However, Amex might ask you for the number on the back as well for verification purposes. Terms apply.
Can you find your card's security code without the card?
The purpose of a security code is to prove that you have a physical copy of your card when you're using it for virtual or over-the-phone transactions. This makes it harder for someone else to use your card without your knowledge. For that reason, you can't access your card's security code unless you have the card on you.
If you're shopping online and don't have your card with you, you might be able to use a virtual credit card — if your card issuer offers this feature. A virtual credit card allows you to get a credit card number from your online bank account. This number is different from your physical card's number, which adds another level of protection by keeping your actual card's information safe and hidden.
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Bottom line
A credit card security code helps verify you have a physical copy of your card when you're making purchases online or over the phone. It adds a layer of safety against fraud, so guard it carefully. Don't lend your card to anyone and if you lose it (or think your information has gotten into the wrong hands), immediately notify your credit card issuer.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
