American Express security code problems?

Any

Hi guys,

I got new American Express (nectar) card and I have a problem when buying online...

Argos and now also Superdrug say that my security code (the last 3 numbers on the back) are invalid when I try to pay? They do accept AE though... And the card is up and running, I paid elsewhere..

Anyone had the same problem? Is AE different from other cards in some way, am I suppose to be looking elsewhere?

Thanks

zagfles

Yes it is! You need to use the 4 numbers on the front (top right) instead!

Very confusing - why they have the 3 number on the back I don't know...

oki25

Hi Any, on Amex its actually the 4 digit code on the front, usually the top right, that is the CVC

Any

Aaarrrrggghhh...
Thanks guys!
Why don't they tell you that when they have that "what is this" clicky thing either (when you pay)? They always show you picture of the back of the card.. would it be so difficult to add "and for AE it's this.."??

That is £50 less on my AE..:-(( I need £500 per month to reach bonus points... oh well:-((

TimJBart

It's so stupid that Amex do it differently to every other card. This caught me out for first few uses as well, and it is especially annoying becuase they have the 3 digit code on the back as well!!!! If it's not required, why bother having it as a red herring!?

liubeliu

TimJBart wrote: »

It's so stupid that Amex do it differently to every other card. This caught me out for first few uses as well, and it is especially annoying becuase they have the 3 digit code on the back as well!!!! If it's not required, why bother having it as a red herring!?

The Amex four digits on the front pre dates the 3 digit code on the back of most cards. Certainly was on the front of my Amex in the 80's. Once queried back then what was the point, in the days of carbon vouchers. It was to stop people charging the card from the carbon paper retailers disgarded in bins and dodgy types pinched them from the rubbish. When a shop rang up for an auth code the shop assistant was required to read out the four digit number to proof they had the card in the shop.

Amex was thinking fraud protection way before other companies.

zagfles

liubeliu wrote: »

The Amex four digits on the front pre dates the 3 digit code on the back of most cards. Certainly was on the front of my Amex in the 80's. Once queried back then what was the point, in the days of carbon vouchers. It was to stop people charging the card from the carbon paper retailers disgarded in bins and dodgy types pinched them from the rubbish. When a shop rang up for an auth code the shop assistant was required to read out the four digit number to proof they had the card in the shop.

Amex was thinking fraud protection way before other companies.

Yes. But why have the 3 digits on the back as well?