Three digit code question please?

pauline10_2

Hello.
Could anyone please offer some clarification on the following question?

On the back of a credit or debit card, there is a three digit code to be used on " card holder not present " situations.

When presenting the card at a restaurant or petrol station ( assuming it is not being skimmed anyway ) there appears to be no way to prevent the numbers on the card and the code being noted and then used in a fraudulent" card holder not present " situation?

My question is, would I be committing some heinous crime if I were to erase the code from the back of the card?

Replies which focus on the question asked will be welcomed.
Thank you. Pauline.

Plxply

I believe any altering of the signature panel will instantly void your card, as if you attempt to erase or remove anything in the signature panel it has "VOID VOID VOID" printed across it so therefore a merchant could decline or retain your card.

pauline10_2

Hello Plxply and thanks for your reply.

Have just scratched the number off the back of a card. The number is not on the actual signature panel and there does not appear to be anything written underneath it.

Have I committed a heinous crime?
Thank you.

cifpower

Sometimes when I ring by bank or credit card company as part of the identification process they ask for the 3 digit number

[Deleted User]

Hi,

as above, and sometimes with an on line payment, so hope you memorized the number.

Edit: Look.

pauline10_2

To Frugalmacdugal, thank you for your reply and the link.

I have looked at the details given in the link and my question is not addressed there.

Thank you. Pauline.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

found this in another search,

CVV2 numbers have become increasingly important for security, and some people have even suggested that credit card users remove them from their credit cards as an added security measure.

Personally I don't think you would be in any bother, as long as you can supply the number if asked, and it is verified, it could possibly happen that the number gets erased naturally over time.

In fact it makes sense to remove and memorize number, then only you can use it.

pauline10_2

Many thanks to Frugalmacgugal for the information.

coolesticeking

Although it's not required for a Chip or PIN transaction just anything that's not face to face my only worry would be if the machine was having problems trying to read the chip and had to do a fallback of using the magnetic strip/signature.

Most sales assistants have very basic training on what a dodgy card looks like, if they see this has been either removed or scratched I would guess they would either:

1) Just point blank to refuse the card on the ground it looks suspicious
2) Perform a Code 10 Authorisation call because the card itself looks suspicious, this wastes your time and could alert your card issuer also making any further transactions being declined which again you don't want
3) Refuse the card and retain this - which they are allowed to do.. The call centre agents when doing the Code 10 Authorisation call may also ask them to keep the card and not give it you back.
4) This is a long shot OK but it COULD happen, if the sales assistants seem alarmed they are also entitled to contact the police as long as they feel it wont harm life if they think fraud is happening - removing the security code would make me wonder.

To be honest, you are not breaking the law as such - but if I was taking a card payment from you and noticed the security code was missing then it would made me think 'is this card real?' 'has it been stolen?' 'what are you trying to hide?' and so on.

I guess it's the same when people put the passport through the wash and try and go on holiday with it and the plastic has come away. It just looks a bit iffy to say the least.

I would suggest contacting your card company and say that the card has been damanged and get a new one.

Always ensure the card is in your view and you have in your rights to ask for this back if you are in doubt at any time and simply don't use any establishment that you feel may be skimming cards and report these.

Although it's never nice if you are skimmed or if you have money taken without your consent, you will have your money refunded from fraud as long as you was not part of it!

pauline10_2

Thank you David.

Russe11

The bank owns the card, therefore they are responcible for all infomation contained on the card?