CARD VERIFICATION METHODS (CVM):

A method used to ensure that a credit card being used in a purchase is in the possession of its owner. The CVM security code is a 3 or 4 digit code imprinted on the physical credit card, but not embedded or encrypted in the magnetic stripe. The code is a 3-digit number located on the signature strip on the back of Visa and MasterCard cards, after the card number. It is on the front of American Express cards, and it is 4 digits long.

• VISA = CVV2
• MasterCard = CVC2
• American Express = CID

Since most fraudulent transactions result from stolen card numbers rather than the actual theft of the card, a customer that supplies this number is much more likely to be in possession of the credit card.