Credit Card Verification

Address Verification | Fraud Prevention Tips

A credit card verification is an important security check for manually entered (non-swiped or non-inserted) credit card transactions. The code helps verify that the customer, presumably the legitimate cardholder, has the actual card in their possession. The use of this feature is mandatory as one component of a fraud prevention strategy.

Note: Depending on the card issuer, the card verification feature may be referred to as a card verification code (CVC), card verification value (CVV), card identification number (CID), or cardmember ID. All of these terms are synonymous and mean the same thing.

When you enter the card verification code on a credit card transaction, the processor verifies that the code matches issuer records. A mismatch can be one potential indicator of fraudulent use of the card.

Card Verification Code Results Guide

Where is the card verification code located?

The card verification code will have 3 or 4 digits and will be in different locations depending on the card type, as shown in the examples below.

When manually entering credit card information, enter the code in the Card Verification Code field on the credit card dialog before selecting the authorize button.

What happens if a mismatch occurs?

How a card verification code mismatch affects your credit card transaction depends on:

- The card issuers regulations Some card issuers automatically decline charges when the verification code entered does not match their records. In this case the charge cannot be completed. Ask the customer for another method of payment.

- Your Point of Sale Merchant Services preferences If the card issuer does not decline the transaction, then you can proceed with the charge at your discretion. If you wish to block all transactions that fail card verification, select the check box for Do not allow manual transactions that fail card verification in your Merchant Service company preferences.

Related Topics

Take payment by credit card

Configure your system for a merchant account