Card Card Verification Value

What is the CVV?
CVV stands for Credit Card Validation (or Verification) Value. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express all have a version of the CVV to reduce merchant risk in Card-Not-Present transactions (like Internet, telephone or mail-order).

The CVV code adds assurance that the consumer placing the order has access or physical possession of the credit card itself. The CVV is a 3 digit number embossed or imprinted on the reverse side of Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards, and for American Express it is a 4 digit number printed on the front of the card above the card account number.

Where do I find the CVV?
For Visa, Mastercard, and Discover the 3 digit CVV number is printed on the signature panel on the back of the card immediately after the card's account number. For American Express the 4 digit CVV number is printed on the front of the card above the card account number.