SpectrumPayment Solutions
All terms
Security & ComplianceAlso: CVV, CVV2, CID — Card Verification Code

CVC

The short security code printed on a payment card — three digits on the front-right of the signature panel for most brands, four on the front of American Express. It proves the shopper physically holds the card, which is why it is required for card-not-present sales.

The code goes by different names depending on the network — CVC, CVV2, CVC2 and CID all describe the same idea. It is printed on the card rather than encoded in the magnetic stripe or chip, so a stolen card number alone will not produce it.

Critically, the code may never be stored after a transaction is authorised. PCI DSS forbids retaining it even in encrypted form, which is why a saved card on file still asks for the code on some purchases, and why recurring billing relies on tokenization instead.

Related terms

Payment Methods

Card-Not-Present

A transaction where the card is not physically presented — online, over the phone, or in-app. CNP sales carry higher fraud and chargeback risk than in-person sales, which is why they rely on fraud tools like CVV, AVS, and 3-D Secure.

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Security & Compliance

PCI DSS

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard — a set of security requirements every business handling card data must meet. Compliance protects customers and merchants and is a baseline expectation of any legitimate processing relationship.

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Security & Compliance

Tokenization

Replacing sensitive card data with a non-sensitive token that can be stored and reused safely. Tokenization lets merchants support recurring billing and one-click checkout without holding raw card numbers, reducing both risk and compliance scope.

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Security & Compliance

3-D Secure

An authentication layer that asks the cardholder to verify identity with their bank during checkout, shifting liability for certain fraud away from the merchant. It can reduce fraud and chargebacks when applied where it makes sense.

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