CVV Number – What Is It And Where To Find It

Online payments have become ‘a thing’ nowadays. It is coming with benefits like no need to carry physical money and thus no risk of robberies. It also increases credit/debit card theft and fraudulent mischiefs. That is when we think of thanking the companies for coming up with the idea of CVV number.

That happens to be a security code formed with numbers. That a cardholder uses to complete the transaction, take it as your permanent OTP that tells the one on the other end that you own a card.

I’m sure you all must have used it at one point or the other. In times like today, where you all make at least half of payments using cards, it’s necessary to understand the part that a CVV digits plays, which is what we shall do in today’s article. Let us proceed with what CVV number is and then shall discuss the rest of the topics. Here we go!

Getting Familiar With Your CVV Number

Sticking to the customs to tell the full form first, CVV number is a shortened form of Card Verification Value. An arbitrary combination of numerals to do transactions online, efficiently, and effortlessly. As the threats of interception of online payments skyrocket, CVV acts as a savior. For all the major cards like visa credit cards, the CVV comprises of three numerals. That is also applicable to debit cards. While on the other hand, the Amex credit cards have four-digit CVV.

So there are two more very important things to discuss here. 

The first and very common mistake we all do is mixing up our CVV number with the identification pin—the one we use while doing ATM transactions with debit cards. Also, dealing with advance transaction in case of credit cards. Both the codes are completely different, and you must never be double-minded between the two.

Secondly, yes, we do type-in our CVV digits whenever we pay for something we buy online. But those sites handle the CVV digits with discretion. The code you enter there is not saved anywhere, but they protect it by employing SSL security. Cool, right?

Also, when and if there is any kind of security violation in companies, their databases DON’T backup the CVV. That way, no one can steal the files with the CVV. So your cards are as secure as they can be. Furthermore, you might have heard some people use the term “CVV2”. Don’t get baffled. It is just like the 2.0 version of CVV number—more immune to interceptions and thus harder to crack.

How To Create A CVV number? 

Every bank has got its own set of CVV numbers. For example, ICICI has different codes, so does HDFC, and so do the state banks. The procedure itself they make sure is sound. Three things go behind the creation of each card. The 16-digit number, the date on which the card expires, and one encryption key that belongs to the bank. They encrypt all of these together to whip up the CVV number for each client.

You could try making one, but it is unlikely to work for payments. So, I don’t see why you should take the trouble.

The CVV number And Where To Track It Down 

Answering the question, it can differ depending upon the card you have. So, according to that, I’m going to tell you where you have to look if you want to possession of your CVV. There are two cases:

Case 1

Now, that one applies to those with any card other than Amex. The cards belonging to renowned companies like Mastercard have their CVVs at the back. Along with the credit card number. Some companies just permit to show the last four digits of their number. Adjacent to the number is their code, of length three digits.

Just flip your card to the backside. Look near that white strip that looks like sticky tape. There, on the top right, you can locate your CVV number.

Case 2

Own of an Amex card (American Express)? Then on the front of your card, i.e., at the front. They’ll have the CVV digits engraved beside your card number, just on the top right. To make it easier to recognize, it is a 4-digit sequence. Just look carefully enough to find it.

Quick question. Have you given it a thought why most card companies print their CVVs on the back? No? Think, these days, there are surveillance cameras and eyes everywhere. So if it was on the front and you held it upright, anyone could see it. So they thought, Alright, we’ll just print it at the back. Clever, if you ask me.

Free Of All Kinds Of Flaws?

Hackers and Cyberbullies are getting smarter by day. While we keep tightening the ropes around the security, they keep on finding the loopholes. The only flaw that the CVV  pertains to is if someone can copy it completely. Everything from the number to the magnetic strip and everything in between.

Though, an unlikely situation but not impossible. So we must always be extra careful with our CVV number.


As we reach the end of the article, I am sure you see how critical a CVV number is. For those who never took it seriously enough, its about time you do. Read the article and stay aware of it and aware of others too. Things like it can make a world of difference. Don’t distribute your security number; don’t just leave your card lying around.

Also, I’m sure you’ll like the other articles on our website. So, do visit us.