What Is CVV Number?
29 Nov 2021

What Is CVV Number?

Read on to understand the meaning and uses of debit card CVV.

Key Takeaways

  • CVV stands for Card Verification Value.
  • All debit and credit cards come with a CVV to protect your account from online scams.
  • The CVV is a 3-digit code printed on the flip side of the debit card.
  • The CVV number is different from the PIN.
  • Each debit card has a single, unique CVV.

Bank frauds are becoming increasingly common today. To mitigate the risks of increasing fraudulent activities, banks have come up with a way to ensure that their customers can conduct secure online transactions while using their debit cards. To this end, they assign a unique 16-digit card number along with a CVV code. You may have seen this CVV number embossed on the flip side of your credit or debit card, right along the magnetic signature strip. Let us find out what CVV is in this article and understand its importance.

What Is CVV Number In Debit Card?

CVV stands for Card Verification Value. You need to enter a code, especially when you make online payments using your debit card. Generally, the CVV is a 3-digit code embossed on the flip or reverse side of most debit cards powered by Visa, Master or Rupay. There are also exceptions like the American Express powered-debit card, which comprises a 4-digit CVV code printed on the front side of the debit card, just above the card number.

Importance Of CVV Number In Debit Card

You may be surprised to know that every debit card has two CVVs – one hidden under the magnetic stripe, and the ch is visible to us. The hidden CVV is used for physical transactions. In contrast, the visible debit card security code is the one you need to input, along with your card number and card expiration date, while conducting an online debit card transaction.

  • Debit card CVV protects your money against scams and provides an additional layer of security to all your banking transactions.
  • The debit card CVV number also serves to verify that the person authorising the online transaction physically possesses the card.
  • A crucial thing that makes the CVV no on debit cards unique and secure is that online payment portals are not authorised to save the CVV number linked to a debit card. Thus, even if the card number is saved, they cannot make any payments unless the cardholder inputs the CVV number.

Difference Between CVV Number In Debit Card And Debit Card PIN

The CVV number is not the same as the Personal Identification Number or PIN. The fundamental differences are as follows:

  • You can set the PIN, but the bank assigns the card-provider assigns the CVV number.
  • You can change the PIN while the CVV remains static.
  • You must provide the PIN for physical transactions, while you need CVV and PIN for online payments.
  • You may assign the same PIN to your debit cards, but each CVV is unique, even if the bank gives you a new debit card with the old 16-digit card number.

The CVV code on debit cards protects you from online fraud. You need this card to authenticate your online transactions. CVV is a means to verify your identity, which is why each debit card has a unique CVV number.

With DBS Bank, existing or new users can access debit cards in a hassle-free and quick way. Get started and even open your savings account with us.

*Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. All information provided is generic and basic. Contact us at DBS to know more.