What Is a CVV on a Debit Card?

A CVV code helps prevent unauthorized transactions from occurring in card-not-present (CNP) transactions. For instance, using your debit card to pay for something online, by mail, or by phone. By requesting the CVV code in a CNP situation, merchants can feel more confident that you have the physical debit card in your possession.

While merchants can store cardholder data like your name and card number, the PCI Data Security Standards Council prohibits the storage of CVV data.² This means a merchant can ask for your CVV to authorize your transaction but must delete it once the transaction is complete.

If someone hacks into a retailer’s system, they can steal your credit card number, but they won’t have access to your CVV. This safeguard makes it more difficult for them to use your card to make fraudulent purchases online.

If you’re looking for your CVV, you can usually find it on the back of your debit card on the right-hand side of the signature strip. Some debit cards, including American Express, print the CVV on the front side of the card above the American Express logo.

Different types of CVVs

There are two types of CVVs.

1. Magnetic stripe. Your CVV is encoded in the magnetic stripe or the little chip on your debit card. When you buy something in-store, your CVV information is automatically shared.
2. Number on card. For card-not-present transactions over the phone or online, you can use the three or four-digit number on the back or front of your debit card. You will have to provide this information each time you make an online or phone purchase since merchants are not allowed to store CVVs.

Some banks are now using dynamic CVVs. This is a card verification code that continuously changes – there is no CVV printed on the card. Instead, you can request a text message or email with a new CVV when you want to make a purchase.

Alternatively, some cards have a small electronic screen on the back that displays the changing code. Like a regular CVV, the purpose is to make fraudulent purchases on a credit card or debit card more difficult.