Discover cvv where is

Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines. Below are front and back photos of cards that use the four major card networks, with the security code highlighted in yellow.

Your CVV acts as a security measure for card-not-present transactions. So, even if a thief steals your credit card account number with a skimmer , he or she will be out of luck at websites that require a CVV for purchases. CVV codes also help protect you in case of a data breach. That said, not all sites require CVV codes. And some sites only ask for your CVV the first time you order items to a particular address — and then assume subsequent transactions are legitimate.

Remember that not all merchants ask for CVV codes — and even if they did, scammers could potentially use malware to grab yours during virtual transactions. Do your best to prevent fraud, but remember to check your accounts and statements every now and then. So stay smart — and shop safe! Susan is a freelance writer who specializes in turning complex financial topics into engaging and accessible articles.

She's been writing about personal finance for six years, and was previously the senior writer at The Penny Hoarder and a staff writer at Student Loan Hero. Her personal finance writing has also appeared in publications like MarketWatch and Lifehacker. By asking for a CVV code, a merchant can be reasonably certain the person using the card is the cardholder and has physical possession of it. In most cases, CVV codes are located on the back of the card, but sometimes, you'll find them on the front.

American Express includes the CVV code on the front of the card, typically printed on the right just above your account number. Cards that are aligned with other payment processing networks, namely Visa, Discover, and Mastercard, have their CVV security numbers printed on the back, right near the signature line.

If your account number is shown on the back, your CVV number will appear after that. Some credit cards, such as the Apple card, don't have a CVV printed on them.

For the Apple card, you'll find that information in the Apple Wallet app on your iPhone. If you have another card that doesn't include the CVV number, you can call your card issuer to get your security code. Aside from printing CVV codes in different places, there's another way to distinguish American Express codes from those of other card issuers.

American Express uses four digits for its card security codes, while cards that operate on the Visa, Discover, and Mastercard networks only use three numbers. While CVV stands for "card verification value," credit card security codes may be referred to by other names, as well. For example, it may be called a CSV code, which stands for "card security value. A CSV code is another way for businesses to verify your identity as the cardholder and potentially head off credit card fraud. Other names for CVV codes include:.

Your CVV code is designed to protect you and your card issuer against fraud. CVV codes are not stored by the merchant, which means there's an added layer of protection against fraud in the event of a data breach. But someone could obtain your account number and your CVV number and use them to make fraudulent purchases. This fraud can happen in a couple of different ways. Protecting your CVV code when shopping online is similar to protecting your other financial or personal information.

These tips can help keep your card details more secure:. Credit card security codes aren't just random numbers; they serve an important purpose in preventing identity thieves from misusing your card information. The CVV is a three- or four-digit code that's printed on your credit card as a fraud-prevention measure. When you provide this number for an online or phone purchase, the merchant will submit the CVV when it authorizes the transaction.

It's an attempt to verify that you have the physical card in your possession and that you're not just using stolen card information. Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards have a three-digit CVV printed on the back of the card, usually next to the signature panel.

American Express cards have a four-digit CVV located on the front of the card, just above and to the right of your account number. For all four card networks, the CVV is printed on the card, rather than embossed in raised lettering. The value of CVV numbers lies in how your credit card information is stored by merchants. Merchants that handle credit card transactions are allowed to store your card data with your permission so you don't have to type it in again every time you buy something from the site.

However, if your card information is stored, it has the potential to be stolen in one of the data breaches that have become common. The CVV adds another layer of protection. Security standards in the payment industry prohibit merchants from storing CVV numbers.