Card Verification Value (CVV)

Card Verification Value (CVV) is the three- or four-digit security code printed on a payment card, used to verify that the customer likely possesses the physical or virtual card during checkout.

Also known as: CVV, CVC, CID

Updated Aug 28, 2026by WeiJun Tang, SEO

Purpose

CVV helps reduce fraud in card-not-present payments where the card is not physically present at the terminal.

Handling rules

Merchants must never store CVV after authorization; doing so violates PCI DSS requirements.

Sources

  1. PCI Security Standards Council
  2. Visa cardholder verification

FAQ

  • No. CVV is printed on the card; PINs are entered at terminals or ATMs.

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