The Card Security Code (CSC) is usually a 3 or 4 digit security code, which is not part of the credit card number. The number appears only on the card itself (not on receipts or statements), to provide some assurance that the physical card is in the possession of the buyer.
CSC is known by different names with the different card associations:
- MasterCard - card validation code ("CVC2") contains 3-digits
- Visa card - card verification value ("CVV2") contains 3-digits
- Discover card - identification number ("CID") contains 3-digits
- American Express - "CID" or "unique card code" contains 4-digits
For Visa / MasterCard / Discover, look at the back of your card near the signature box. You should see either the entire 16-digit credit card number or just the last four digits followed by a special 3-digit security code.
For American Express, look at the front of your card just above and to the right of your main credit card number. You should the 4-digit security code.
