What is the CSC on a credit card?

What does CSC stand for on a credit card?

The CSC is the card security code.  This code also has several other common names including the card verification data (CVD), card verification number (CVN), card verification value (CVV), and verification code.  They are all used for the same purpose, and the terms are interchangeable.  It can be either 3 or 4 digits on the back or front of the card and is used for keeping your account more safe.  The more common cards such as Visa and Mastercard use a three-digit number, and American Express uses a four-digit number.  It is usually on the back of the card near where you write your signature.  Depending on the type of credit card you have, it can appear as the first numbers after your card number. 

What is the CSC used for?

The card security code is used for making online transactions more secure.  If someone were to get ahold of your card number, it would be much easier to commit credit card fraud if the CSC was not required.  The number is never printed on receipts or anywhere else, so it is much more difficult for a scammer to find it.  Using this number makes it so the merchant knows that you are the actual cardholder when making your purchase.  

Different Types of Codes

There are actually three different types of card security codes that are used by merchants.  The first is the CVV1 that is encoded in the magnetic stripe on your credit card.  This is used for in-person transactions where you are physically using the card.  This is not known by the user but lets the point-of-sale system know that the card is physically there.  The limitation of the CVV1 is that if the whole credit card is copied by a skimmer, then the code is still valid.  

The second type of code is called the CVV2, which is the one that is printed on the front or back of your card.  This is the one you are likely more familiar with because it is used for purchases called “card not present transactions.”  This includes any purchases made over the phone, internet, or by mail.  

There can also be a third type of CVV if you are using a chip, contactless card, Apple Pay, or something similar.  This is either called the iCVV or dynamic CVV.  This works differently depending on the technology that is used.  It is typically electronically generated and can change to add as much security as possible.  The iCVV works the same way as a CVV1, ensuring that you are the actual owner of the card.