1. Credit card number expandable section
This is often referred to as the ‘long number’ on the front of your credit card, which is usually 16 digits, but can be up to 19 digits in some instances. More formally, it’s known as a Permanent Account Number, or ‘PAN’.
It’s not just a random number though. Your credit card number is unique to you and includes information used to identify your account, card and who it’s issued by.
The first digit indicates the provider:
- Mastercard numbers start with a 2 or 5.
- Visa card numbers start with a 4.
- American Express numbers start with a 3.
The first 6 digits help to identify the card issuer, known as an Issue Identifier Number or ‘IIN’.
All numbers following that relate specifically to your account, excluding the last one which is known as a ‘check digit’. This helps us verify that the full credit card number has been provided, and in the right order, anytime you make a purchase or payment.
This method for creating credit card numbers is used internationally, and was invented by IBM engineer Hans Peter Luhn in 1954.
2. Valid from/Expires end expandable section
These numbers represent the month and year your card was issued, and when it will expire. For example, 06/20 would be June 2020.
Credit cards are typically issued for 2 to 4 years, and renewed just before the expiry date. You might notice that the ‘expires end’ date is 3 years and 1 month after the ‘valid from’ date, just giving you a little extra time to switch to your new card.
Once it’s expired, you won’t be able to use your old card, so it’s a good idea to start using a new card as soon as it arrives, just to avoid any future inconvenience.
If your credit card is re-issued for any reason, e.g. you’ve ordered a replacement for a lost card, as you’d expect, your new card will have revised ‘valid from’ and ‘expires end’ dates.
For security, any old cards should be cut up and disposed of carefully.
3. Security number or 'CVV' expandable section
When you make a purchase online or over the phone, you may be asked for the ‘CVV’, ‘CVC’, ‘CVN’, ‘CVV2’ or a ‘security number’. In reality, they’re all the same thing.
In simple terms, it’s a card verification number or code. Because it’s only ever printed on the card itself, when you provide it, that helps us to verify the physical card is still in your possession.
On Visa and Mastercard credit cards, you’ll find your security number on the back of your card. It’s the last 3 digits of the number printed in the top right-hand corner of the signature strip.
On American Express credit cards it’s a 4-digit number printed on the front, just above and to the right of the long credit card number.
FAQs
The first number signifies the type of card company or industry, the next five numbers identify the credit card issuer, the following numbers are your account number and the last number is determined by the Luhn algorithm.
How to decode credit card numbers? ›
Other credit card components
- Most credit cards have 15 or 16 digits displayed across the front, depending on the issuer.
- The first 6 digits indicate the issuer number, the next five refer to the specific issuing bank, and the final six equal the user's account number.
Only pre-approved 'test card' numbers provided by Windcave can be used for testing, within test environments. We recommend using the test card 4111 1111 1111 1111 for Visa, 5431 1111 1111 1111 for MasterCard, 3711 1111 1111 114 for Amex, and 3600 0000 0000 08 for Diners.
What are the odds of guessing a CVV code? ›
Not easily. By randomly guessing, there's a 1-in-1,000 chance of guessing a three-digit code, and a 1-in-10,000 chance of guessing a four-digit code. Merchants generally won't allow too many guesses, locking out would-be scammers after a few tries. If a fraudster guesses correctly, alert your card issuer immediately.
What is the 2 3 4 rule for credit cards? ›
The 2/3/4 rule: According to this rule, applicants are limited to two new cards in a 30-day period, three new cards in a 12-month period and four new cards in a 24-month period. The six-month or one-year rule: Some issuers may only let borrowers open a new credit card account once every six months or once a year.
What is the algorithm for validating credit card numbers? ›
The Luhn algorithm works by summing up every other digit in the identification number, starting from the rightmost digit, and then doubling the value of every other digit and summing up the individual digits of the doubled values.
Is there a pattern to credit card numbers? ›
Payment processors use a checksum formula called the Luhn algorithm. It was invented by Hans Peter Luhn of IBM. It's used to determine if the credit card numbers have a logical pattern. If the numbers don't work with the algorithm, it isn't a valid credit card number.
What card is 5156? ›
Payment and Refund Status Codes
| Card Number | Card Type | Payment Status |
|---|
| 5111 0100 3017 5156 | MasterCard | APPROVED |
| 5185 5408 1000 0019 | MasterCard | APPROVED |
| 5200 8282 8282 8210 | MasterCard | APPROVED |
| 5204 2300 8000 0017 | MasterCard | APPROVED |
27 more rowsCredit Card Number (Discover) is a 16-digit number beginning with 6011, 644–649 or 65 and might have dashes (hyphens) or spaces as separators. For example, NNNN-NNNN-NNNN-NNNN or NNNN NNNN NNNN NNNN. This excludes common test card numbers.
How to transfer money with only card number and CVV without OTP? ›
To transfer money with only a card number and CVV, you can use a money transfer service such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These services allow you to send money to anyone in the world, even if they don't have a bank account.
The security code (CVV) is a four-digit number that is listed on the surface of the credit card to the upper right corner of the card number. If you cannot find the security code or have further questions, please contact your credit card company.
Is there a universal CVV code? ›
Most card issuers use a three-digit code on credit and debit cards, including VISA, Mastercard, and Discover. But American Express uses a four-digit CVV. Each CVV is unique to the card and account holder, meaning there's no universal CVV code.
How to figure out a CVV number? ›
How do you find your CVV? The CVV is typically on the back of a credit card, near the signature area. (American Express prints its four-digit card code on the front of the card.) On Discover it® Credit Cards, the three-digit CVV is on the back of your card at the end of your 16-digit credit card number.
What is the 15 3 payment trick? ›
The Takeaway. The 15/3 credit card payment rule is a strategy that involves making two payments each month to your credit card company. You make one payment 15 days before your statement is due and another payment three days before the due date.
What is the 524 rule? ›
Many card issuers have criteria for who can qualify for new accounts, but Chase is perhaps the most strict. Chase's 5/24 rule means that you can't be approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any card issuer) within the past 24 months.
What is the golden rule of credit cards? ›
Pay Off Your Balance
The golden rule of credit card usage is to do everything you can to pay off your entire balance each month. If you can do this, you won't be charged any interest.
How do you transcribe a credit card number? ›
For a card with 16 digits, which includes Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards: Double every other digit, starting with the first digit, and write down the resulting series of numbers. Add together the individual digits that you wrote down. (If you have a two-digit number, combine those two digits before adding.
How do you break down a credit card number? ›
The first 6 digits help to identify the card issuer, known as an Issue Identifier Number or 'IIN'. All numbers following that relate specifically to your account, excluding the last one which is known as a 'check digit'.
What is the breakdown of credit card numbers? ›
Structure. Payment card numbers are composed of 8 to 19 digits, The leading six or eight digits are the issuer identification number (IIN) sometimes referred to as the bank identification number (BIN). The remaining numbers, except the last digit, are the individual account identification number.
What is credit card cipher? ›
Encryption masks the buyer's data using an algorithm, scrambling the card's information to make it unreadable without the proper key. This is an end to end method, as the data is kept secure from the point of purchase (in store or online) until it reaches the intended destination.
