When you buy something online with a credit card, the retailer will ask for your card’s CVV code – or your card security code (CSC). If you have an older card, you may have the option to include an issue number too.
These credit card details help the retailer verify your identity and approve your purchase.
CVV stands for card verification value. It’s a 3-digit security code you can find on both older and newer credit cards.
A CVV adds more credit card protection when you make online purchases. Unlike your long credit card number, CVVs aren’t usually printed on receipts or stored in databases. This makes it harder for fraudsters to know your CVV and helps you verify your identity as the cardholder.
There are two types of verification codes found on credit cards:
The CVV1 is encoded on the magnetic strip of your credit card. When you use your card at a point-of-sale terminal, the card reader will read the CVV1 to authenticate your card.
The CVV2 is the 3-digit code on your credit card. This is the CVV you’ll be asked for when making online purchases.
You can find your CVV on the back of your credit card. For most credit cards, it’s the 3-digit number in your credit card signature box.
An issue number is a short number printed on your credit card. Issue numbers are not widely used today but were used to show how many times your card had been reissued or replaced.
All new credit cards would have an issue number of 1. When the card expires, the replacement card will have an issue number of 2, a new CVV, and a new credit card expiry date.
Issue numbers were a way to tell the difference between an old and a new card.
Issue numbers are 1 or 2 digits long, which you can find on older credit cards. The issue number would have been on the front of the card, near the bottom.
By understanding the different numbers on your credit card, you can feel more secure and confident using it.
You can also visit our card support page for help with your HSBC debit or credit card.
