What is a credit card CVV / CVC Number?

What the 3 digits on the back of your card mean, and how they protect your finances.

What is a credit card CVV / CVC number

What is a CVV or CVC number?

If you’re using your credit card to make a purchase online or over the phone, you’ll usually be asked to provide the name on your card, the account number, expiry date and something called your CVV, CVC or security number or code.

Your CVV number (card verification value) or CVC (card verification code) on your credit card or debit card is a three- or four-digit number printed on your card. If you have a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card, it’ll be a three digit number on the back of your card. If you’re using an American Express card, the CVV will be a four-digit number on the front of your card.

The CVV is an anti-fraud measure that’s used when you make a purchase that doesn’t require you to enter a PIN or sign a receipt. This is why you’re often asked to enter your CVV number if you’re shopping online or making a purchase over the phone, as it lets the merchant or payee verify that you have the physical card and are indeed the cardholder.

As the CVV or CVC number is printed only on your card, it’s important that you keep your card safe and secure. If your card is lost or stolen, anyone could use the card to make purchases online or over the phone without your permission. If this does happen, contact your card issuer immediately to cancel the card and keep an eye on your statement to report any fraudulent transactions. The CVV or CVC number is called a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) -commonly used technology which is a digitally provided certification process.

Is a CVV or CVC number called anything else?

The credit card CVC and credit card CVV numbers are sometimes called different things depending on the credit card network or credit card company that issued it. For example, Mastercard calls the code CVC2, American Express refers to it as CID, and Visa has dubbed it CVV2, while other providers may refer to a CSC (card security code).

Despite these different names, the codes all serve the same function and are used as a standardised security measure. In the case of contactless cards there is generally a chip involved which supplies its own electronically generated series of codes. They are called “Dynamic CVV” or iCVV.

Are CVV or CVC numbers the same as my PIN?

No, your CVV or CVC number is different from the PIN code you use to make cash machine withdrawals or in-store debit or credit card transactions. Your CVC or CVV number is used for verifying online or over the phone payments when you can’t use your PIN or signature.

While the CVV or CVC number is in place to protect your credit card from fraudulent transactions, it could still be used fraudulently if you don’t use a secure site. If you spot a transaction you don’t recognise on your statement, contact your bank immediately to report the issue and protect your finances.

Compare credit cards

Name Product Balance transfers Purchases Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
Santander Everyday Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 28 months
(3% fee)
0% for 3 months reverting to 22.9%
£0
22.9% APR (variable)
Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 23 months
(2.99% fee)
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
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M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard
0% for 28 months
(2.99% fee, min £5 fee)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
NatWest Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 30 months
(2.99% fee)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
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Royal Bank of Scotland Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 19 months
(2.99% fee)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 23 months
(2.9% fee)
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
HSBC No Fee Balance Transfer Credit Card Visa
0% for 16 months
(0% fee)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
NatWest Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 19 months
(0% fee)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
0% for 17 months
(2.99% fee)
0% for 20 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 27 months
(0% fee)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
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Name Product Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Link Representative example
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9%
Go to site
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9%
Go to site
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
0% for 20 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 17 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9%
Check eligibility
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card
0% for 18 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9%
Check eligibility
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Santander All in One Credit Card
0% for 15 months reverting to 21.9%
0% for 15 months reverting to 21.9%
£3 per month
27.7%
Check eligibility
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 27.7% APR (variable).
HSBC Rewards Credit Card
0% for 6 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 6 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9%
Check eligibility
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Tesco Bank Clubcard Plus Credit Card Mastercard
0% for 24 months reverting to 19.944%
21.814%
£7.99 per month
37.7%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.944% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £7.99 per month, your representative rate is 37.7% APR (variable).
Ulster Bank Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card Mastercard
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 23 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
MBNA 0% Transfer and Purchase Credit Card
0% for 22 months reverting to 22.94%
0% for 22 months reverting to 22.94%
£0
22.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).
Barclaycard Platinum All-Rounder Visa
0% for 22 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 22 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
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Name Product Purchases Annual/monthly fees Initial credit limits Representative APR Incentive Link
M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card
0% for 18 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Credit Card
21.9%
£24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum
Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.
26.8% APR (variable)
Earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.25% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 26.8% APR (variable).
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NatWest Reward Credit Card
21.9%
£24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum
Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.
26.8% APR (variable)
You'll earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.25% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 26.8% APR (variable).
Go to site
Santander All in One Credit Card
0% for 15 months reverting to 21.9%
£3 per month
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
27.7% APR (variable)
0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 27.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Platinum Cashback Everyday Credit Card
29.7%
£0
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
29.7% APR (variable)
New cardmember offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £100) for the first three months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.5% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1% cashback on purchases.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
The American Express Rewards® Credit Card
29.7%
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
29.7% APR (variable)
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 spent thereafter. Earn up to 90,000 bonus points per year through refer a friend, 4,000 points awarded for every friend approved. 1 point = 0.45p (min 1000 points) to shop, other rewards have differing conversions
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
British Airways American Express® Credit Card
29.7%
£0
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
29.7% APR (variable)
Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent. Spend £12K each year and get a travel companion voucher when redeeming Avios for a BA reward flight. - Earn up to 90,000 bonus Avios points per calendar year, 4,000 points per friend/family member that successfully applies for an American Express card (Excl. Basic card) and uses the Referral Programme. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1000pts for flights)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Nectar Credit Card
29.7%
Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £25 per annum
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
35.3% APR (variable)
Earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months. Earn a minimum of 3 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent elsewhere.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £25 per annum, your representative rate is 35.3% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Platinum Cashback Credit Card
29.7%
£25 per annum
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
35.3% APR (variable)
New cardmember offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first three months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.75% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1.25% cashback on purchases.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £25 per annum, your representative rate is 35.3% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
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Name Product Minimum credit limit Representative APR Maximum credit limit Link Representative example
Barclaycard Forward Credit Card
£50
33.9%
Subject to status: £1,200
Check eligibility
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 33.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 33.9% APR (variable).
The Credit Thing card
£200
27.9%
Subject to status: £1,500
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 27.9% APR (variable).
TSB Classic Credit Card Mastercard
£500
28.9%
Subject to status
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.9% APR (variable).
Sainsbury's Bank Everyday Credit Card Mastercard
£0
29.4%
Subject to status
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.4% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.4% APR (variable).
Vanquis Bank Chrome Credit Card
£500
29.5%
Subject to status: £1,500
Representative example: When you spend £250 at a purchase rate of 29.5% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.5% APR (variable).
Tesco Bank Foundation Card
£250
29.9%
Subject to status
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
Tymit Credit Card
£500
29.9%
Subject to status: £15,000
Representative Example: 29.9% (variable) based on a borrowing of £1200 over 12 months with no annual fee.
Bip Credit Card Mastercard
£250
29.9%
Subject to status
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
HSBC Classic Credit Card
£250
29.9%
Subject to status: £1,000
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
Keebo credit card
Finder Award
Keebo credit card
£100
29.98%
Subject to status: £5,000
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.98% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.98% APR (variable).
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Name Product Purchases Annual/monthly fees Initial credit limits Representative APR Incentive Link
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card
29.7%
£250 per annum
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
110.7% APR (variable)
Earn 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. 18+, subject to status. New Cardmembers Only

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £250 per annum, your representative rate is 110.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
British Airways American Express® Credit Card
29.7%
£0
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
29.7% APR (variable)
Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent. Spend £12K each year and get a travel companion voucher when redeeming Avios for a BA reward flight. - Earn up to 90,000 bonus Avios points per calendar year, 4,000 points per friend/family member that successfully applies for an American Express card (Excl. Basic card) and uses the Referral Programme. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1000pts for flights)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card
26.9%
£160 per annum
Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.
69.7% APR (variable)
Earn an additional 15,000 Bonus Points when you spend £3,000 within the first 90 days of account opening until 13th June 2023. Earn 15,000 bonus points with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 1.5 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 3 miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays. Spend £10K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £160 per annum, your representative rate is 69.7% APR (variable).
Barclaycard Avios Plus Card
27.9%
£20 per month
Min. limit £50, max. limit not specified.
77.6% APR (variable)
Earn 25,000 Avios when £3,000 spent on card over the first 3 months of opening. Earn 1.5 Avios for every £1 you spend. Spend £10,000 or more during the year and receive a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or 7000 bonus Avios. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1000pts for flights)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £20 per month, your representative rate is 77.6% APR (variable).
Barclaycard Avios Card
27.9%
£0
Min. limit £50, max. limit not specified.
27.9% APR (variable)
Earn 5,000 Avios when £1,000 spent on card over the first 3 months of opening. Earn 1 Avios for every £1 you spend. Spend £20,000 or more during the year and receive a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or 7000 bonus Avios. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1000pts for flights)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 27.9% APR (variable).
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card
26.9%
£0
Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.
26.9% APR (variable)
Earn 0.75 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 1.5.miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays. Spend £20K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 26.9% APR (variable).
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We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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