Any good reason for printing the security code on the back of a card?

John_Gray

As far as I am aware, all credit cards have a three-digit security code (often called CCV or CVV) printed on the back of them.

This security code is only used for "cardholder not present" transactions and would appear to be a security RISK, since if your card gets stolen the crook has the information on the back of the card to set up an online account or perform online transactions - in this instance the PIN is not necessary.

Can anyone see a good reason NOT to obliterate the security code from the back of the card (remembering it first, of course!)?

Am I understanding this correctly?

dzug1

John_Gray wrote: »

Can anyone see a good reason NOT to obliterate the security code from the back of the card (remembering it, of course!)?

Am I understanding this correctly?

q1 It could invalidate the card for normal (non-internet) use. If I were taking a card and needed a signature I'd be a bit iffy, rightly or wrongly, about a defaced card

q2 maybe - but don't you need an address as well to set up an account?

John_Gray

A1 Can you remember the last time that anyone checked the signature on your credit card?
Even when 'swipe readers' were in use, all those years ago, the signature checking was perfunctory, at best.

A2 Fraudsters seem quite readily to get around the problem of needing the address...!

You-kip

I can't remember the last time someone checked my Signature and quite frankly don't really care.

matttye

Perhaps try a temporary measure for the timebeing and see how you can get on, like put some tape over it.

If nobody questions it, fine, go ahead and remove it permanently. Just make sure you carry another means of payment in case you eventually get declined. It only takes a couple of days to get a new card with most banks anyway, if you find you need to order a new one.

grumbler

I used to blank all CVVs on my cards with a black permanent market (with some effort you still can read it after this). Never had any problems even in the past when signing the slips.

Gromitt

On all my cards the numbers are engraved into the card, so even if you manage to rub off the digits, you can still see the numbers, and sometimes from the front of the card as well.

molerat

Sometimes when a transaction needs authorising manually they will ask for the cvv to prove that the retailer has sight of the actual card.

reclusive46

John_Gray wrote: »

A1 Can you remember the last time that anyone checked the signature on your credit card?
Even when 'swipe readers' were in use, all those years ago, the signature checking was perfunctory, at best.

A2 Fraudsters seem quite readily to get around the problem of needing the address...!

The signature is still checked on bigger transactions in Asia and the US where swipe and sign is still used. Also for a few transactions in the US, the cashier enters the 3 digit code on the back (Or 4 digit on the front for Amex).

Also when the chip reader / magnetic stripe reader is broken and a UK merchant manually enters in the card details it occasionally asks for the 3/4 digit code.

GlynD

My bank (Bank of Scotland) requires you to sign into their secure server when doing an online transaction so you'd be safe that way. If the card was stolen however it could be used for telephone transactions.

reclusive46

GlynD wrote: »

My bank (Bank of Scotland) requires you to sign into their secure server when doing an online transaction so you'd be safe that way. If the card was stolen however it could be used for telephone transactions.

If your referring to 3D secure (Verified by Visa, MasterCard SecureCode or Amex Safekey), not every website is signed up to these services, especially non UK websites.