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Recognising valid Visa cards

Ensuring you and your staff know when a Visa card is valid can help minimise the risk of card fraud.

The instructions below will help you and your staff recognise the following existing and new Visa cards:

Visa cards
Visa Electron cards
V PAY cards

How to recognise Visa cards

Visa cardsVisa card

  1. Optional chip
    The information stored on a chip is protected by encryption. The chip works together with the cardholder’s signature or PIN to create more secure payment.
  2. Embossed or printed account number
    Embossed numbers feel raised while printed numbers feel flat. Account numbers are up to 16 digits, begin with a 4 and are grouped in four groups of four numbers. Printed cards may have a partial account number.
  3. Visa logo
    A blue and gold logo appears on a white background, which allows for more logo placement options and vertical orientation of the card.
  4. Ultraviolet ‘V’ element
    When placed under an ultraviolet light, a ‘V’ printed in ultraviolet ink is visible over the Visa logo.
  5. Expiration date
    Every card must have an expiration date.
  6. Cardholder name or identifier
    The cardholder’s name or a description such as ‘Club Member’, ‘Gift Card’, etc. are optional and may appear on the front of the card.
  7. Printed first four digits of account number
    These appear beneath the account number and match the first four digits of the account number, if shown on the card or printed on the retailer’s receipt.
  8. Numeric security feature (CVV2)
    This may appear either on the signature panel or to the side.
  9. Signature panel
    The visible pattern on the signature panel may be customised but it will always bear the Visa name repeated in ultraviolet ink and visible under ultraviolet light. Signature panel length will vary depending on card type.
  10. Visa 3D dove hologram
    The hologram contains a dove, which moves when you tilt the card. Instead of a dove hologram being present on the front, a mini dove hologram may appear on the back.
  11. Mini Visa 3D dove hologram
    This may appear on the reverse of the card and can be located anywhere within the indicated area. A standard-sized Visa dove hologram is never present on the back of a card.
  12. Visa holographic magnetic stripe
    The Visa holographic magnetic stripe with doves in flight can replace the square 3D hologram on the front of the card.

How to recognise Visa Electron cards

Visa Electron cardsElectron card

  1. Optional chip
    The information stored on a chip is protected by encryption. The chip works together with the cardholder’s signature or PIN to create more secure payment.
  2. Printed account number
    Printed numbers feel flat. Visa Electron cards have either the full 16-digit account number or the last four digits of the number at a minimum.
  3. Visa Electron logo
    A blue and gold logo on a white background with the word Electron printed underneath allows for more logo placement options and vertical orientation of the card.
  4. Ultraviolet ‘V’ element
    When placed under an ultraviolet light, a ‘V’ printed in ultraviolet ink will be visible over the Visa Electron logo.
  5. Expiration date
    Every card must have an expiration date as a minimum.
  6. Cardholder name or identifier
    The cardholder’s name or a description such as ‘Club Member’, ‘Gift Card’, etc. are optional and may appear on the front of the card.
  7. Printed first four digits of account number
    These appear beneath the account number and match the first four digits of the account number, if shown on the card or printed on the retailer’s receipt.
  8. Numeric security feature (CVV2)
    This may appear either on the signature panel or to the side.
  9. Signature panel
    The signature panel may appear in a lower or upper position on the back of a Visa Electron card, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the mini 3D Visa dove hologram. The visible pattern on the signature panel may be customised but it will always bear the Visa name repeated in ultraviolet ink and visible under ultraviolet light. Signature panel length will vary depending on card type.
  10. An optional Visa 3D dove hologram
    An optional square 3D hologram contains a dove, which moves when you tilt the card. Instead of a dove hologram being present on the front, a mini dove hologram may appear on the back.
  11. An optional mini Visa 3D dove hologram
    This may appear on the reverse of the card and can be located anywhere within the indicated area. A standard sized Visa dove design hologram is never present on the back of a card.
  12. Visa holographic magnetic stripe
    Use of the Visa holographic magnetic stripe with doves in flight is optional. You may see this magnetic stripe or a traditional one on a Visa Electron card.

How to recognise V PAY cards

  1. ChipVpay card
    A chip must appear on the front of the card. Cardholders are required to enter a PIN to make a purchase.
  2. V PAY logo
    The V PAY logo appears on the front of the card. Alternative logo placement options and vertical orientation of the card and logo are possible.
  3. Ultraviolet ‘V’ element
    When placed under an ultraviolet light, a ‘V’ printed in ultraviolet ink is visible over the V PAY logo.
  4. Flat card
    Unlike other Visa cards, V PAY cards feel flat. The cardholder’s name, account number and expiration date may be printed on either the front or back of the card, not embossed.
  5. Visa holographic magnetic stripe
    Use of the Visa holographic magnetic stripe with doves in flight is optional. You may see this magnetic stripe or a traditional one on a V PAY card.