Credit Card Number Verification

If a consumer is going to use a credit card for a transaction, especially by telephone or online, they must have credit card number verification. Having a credit card number verification is more than just having the right 16 digits of the major number; you must have additional information as well.

In past years, having credit card number verification was as simple as having the primary 16 numbers. With the increase in credit card and identity theft over the last decade, security measures taken by credit card companies have made the use of credit cards by those not authorized to use them have made using credit card number verification more important.

The defense mechanisms that are now included as part of credit card number verification make it very important to actually have the card on hand when making a transaction. When using a credit card in a situation where it cannot be seen by the seller, such as online, there are additional questions asked to the buyer to make sure that they are using credit card number verification. One of these questions has to do with a three-digit security number, found on the back of the card. Credit card companies now include these three-digit codes as part of credit card number verification and, if they are not put in by the supposed buyer, the sale will be rejected. With an American Express card, the security code is four digits long and can be found in the top right hand corner of the front of the card, not on the back.

Another part of making sure the buyer is using credit card number verification is the expiration date of the card. All transactions now require the expiration of date of the card to be included. If the expiration date is not included, the result is the same as a missing security code—the use of the card will not be permitted.

Trying to use a card without credit card number verification can result in criminal prosecution if it is indeed done illegally. In order to cut down on these crimes occurring, security measures on credit cards today are a great deal tougher than they were in the past.