What's a Security Code

You’re at an online checkout, and the form asks for a security code. You look at your card and see several numbers. Which one does it mean?

The security code is the small number printed on your debit or credit card. It’s separate from the long card number and is usually made up of three or four digits. Online shops ask for it as an extra check that the person paying has the physical card.

You may also see it called a CVV security code or simply a card security code.

What a security code is

A card security code is a short number printed directly on your card. It is not embossed, which means it isn’t raised like the card number on some cards.

The code helps protect against fraud, especially when you’re shopping online. A checkout may ask for:

• Your card number
• The card’s expiry date
• The name on the card
• The security code

The security code is only one part of those payment details. It isn’t the same as the card number, and it isn’t your PIN.

If you’re buying baby footwear online, such as Baby Sock Shoes, the payment page may ask for this code before it accepts the card payment. You should enter the number from your own card into the payment box. Don’t send the code to another person in a message or publish it anywhere.

Where to find the security code on a card

Start by turning the card over. On many credit and debit cards, the security code is on the back near the signature area.

Look for a small group of three digits. It may appear:

• On or beside the signature strip
• After a longer group of printed numbers
• On its own in the same area of the back of the card

The code can be easy to miss because it’s printed flat on the card. It may also be in a different place on some cards, so don’t assume every card uses exactly the same layout.

If you see a long number across the front, that is usually the card number, not the security code. The code is the short three- or four-digit number printed separately from it.

A quick check before typing

Before entering anything, ask yourself:

1. Am I looking at the short number rather than the long card number?
2. Is it printed on the card, rather than raised lettering?
3. Does the checkout ask for three or four digits?
4. Am I using the card connected to this purchase?

That quick pause can prevent a lot of failed payment attempts.

How the code differs from your card number and PIN

These three numbers can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to finish a purchase quickly.

The card number

The card number is the longer number shown on the card. It identifies the card account for the payment. An online checkout normally gives it a much larger box than the one used for the security code.

The security code

The security code is the short number printed separately on the card. It is usually three or four digits. You may see it described as a CVV or CVV security code.

When the checkout asks for the security code, use this short printed number. Don’t enter part of the long card number.

Your PIN

Your PIN is the number you use for certain card transactions, such as using the card at a cash machine or completing a payment that asks for your PIN.

Your PIN is not the card security code. Don’t substitute your PIN when an online checkout asks for a security code. The PIN isn’t the number you should look for near the card’s signature area.

Never share your PIN or security code with someone who asks for it in a message or over the phone. For an online purchase, enter payment details only in the payment fields on a checkout you trust.

What the three- and four-digit formats mean

Most card security codes have three or four digits.

A three-digit code is common on many cards. A four-digit code is used on some others. The number of digits depends on the card, so the code might not match what a particular checkout example shows.

The exact code is different for each card. Don’t use a sample number from an instruction page, and don’t guess based on the card number. Find the short code printed on your own card.

If the checkout specifically asks for a three-digit security code, check the back of the card first. If your card shows four digits in the security-code area, use the code printed there rather than cutting off one digit.

Finding the code on Visa and Mastercard debit cards

If you’re asking, “where is the security code on Visa debit card?”, turn the card over and check near the signature area. Many Visa debit cards show a three-digit code there.

The same first step applies to a security code Mastercard or Mastercard debit card: look on the back for the short printed number near the signature strip. It may be shown by itself or beside other printed digits.

The Visa or Mastercard logo doesn’t replace the security code. The logo tells you which card network is being used. The security code is the separate short number the checkout wants.

For the question “what is a security code on a debit card?”, the answer is the same whether the card is used for everyday spending or an online order: it’s the printed three- or four-digit number used as an extra card check.

What to do if you cannot find the code

Take the card out of its wallet or sleeve and check both sides in good light. The number may be small or faint.

Try this:

• Look at the back near the signature area.
• Search for a separate group of three or four printed digits.
• Check the front too, since some cards may place the code somewhere else.
• Make sure you aren’t mistaking the expiry date or card number for the code.
• Check that you’re looking at the card you plan to use for the purchase.

If the code has worn away, the card is damaged, or there doesn’t seem to be one, don’t guess. Contact the card provider using a trusted phone number or official contact method. You can also check whether the card provider gives instructions for that card.

Don’t ask another shopper, seller, or stranger to identify the number for you. You should be the only person handling and entering your card details.

How to enter a security code safely when shopping online

Once you’ve found the code, enter it in the box labelled Security code, CVV, or something similar. The label may vary, but the short code requested is the same type of card detail.

Before entering it, check that you’re on the checkout page you intended to use. Then:

1. Enter the card number in the card-number field.
2. Enter the expiry date in the expiry-date field.
3. Enter the three- or four-digit security code in the security-code field.
4. Check the digits carefully before submitting the payment.

Keep the code private. Don’t put it in an order note, send it by email or text, or tell someone who claims they need it to finish the purchase. A trusted checkout should provide a payment field for you to enter it yourself.

If the payment fails, reread the labels and check that you used the right card. Make sure you entered the security code, not your PIN, expiry date, or part of the long card number.

If you are completing a Baby Sock Shoe purchase, return to the trusted checkout and enter the security code shown on your card without sharing it with anyone.