Card security code
The card security code is the three-digit code
printed on the back of Visa cards, either on or close to the
signature panel, and offers effective protection against online,
mail or telephone order card fraud.
When attempting to make illegal purchases, many card fraudsters
will either have gained illicit access to the card number or expiry
date, or they’ll have used a random card number generator. Neither
of these methods provides fraudsters with the card security
code.
When the card security code is included in the transaction
authorisation message, it can be checked by the card issuing bank.
This indicates that the person making the transaction has access to
the genuine card.
We estimate that checking the card security code can cut your
fraud losses by up to 70 per cent.
Visa’s technical term for the card security code is Card
Verification Value 2 (CVV2).
More information
For more information about the card security code please contact
your acquiring bank.