Last Updated on 09/25/2017 by GS Staff
[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”A:” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color”][/otw_shortcode_dropcap] The card number on a debit card is located on the front of the card. It is typically 16 digits long and is near the center of the card, just above your name. On the card below, the number 9999 8888 7777 6666 is the card number.
The first number(s) of your debit card will indicate what type of card you hold. The below list shows the starting number(s) of each type of card.
- 37 or 34 – American Express
- 4 – Visa
- 5 – MasterCard
- 6 – Discover
A debit card will also have a card verification code (CVC) or card verification value (CVV) as it is also known. This is a 3 digit number located on the back of the card at the end of the signature line. The CVC or CVV are the numbers 123 shown on the card below.
The CVC is not your personal identification number (PIN) as some people have assumed. This number provides an extra layer of security for your card. When you purchase an item online, the merchant will request both the card number and the CVC. If a thief only has your card number, they will not be able to complete the transaction because the CVC is missing.
Note that if you have an American Express card, the CVC will actually be located on the front of the card, just above the end of the card number.
