Should I have given out my three digit security code on the back of my visa card over the phone?

Answer 1

Yes. This verifies that you have the card in your posession. This prevents anyone with just your credit card number from using it. If somesone steals your card and uses it, you can always dispute the charges. I have been victim in credit card theft and it is really no big deal. The card companies have always taken care of me.

Answer 2

WHy are you being asked for this 3 digit number?

This is to verify that the card definitely is in your possession. It generally follows the 16-digit card number on the back of the card. It is information that wouldnt be available to someone who has intercepted your card number and expiration date.

That said, make sure you know to whom you are giving this information over the phone or on Web sites.

Con artists often are able to obtain partial information about a potential victim's account, and then contact the person masquerading as a company representative to verify the account by requesting additional details such as the three-digit security code. But they might just as well ask for other pertinent details-for example, they may provide the last four digits of your account number (which typically show up on sales receipts) and request the other 12 digits to confirm it. Or they already may be in possession of your full account number and request the expiration date of the card, or your billing address. Any of these individual bits of information may be just what the scammer needs to fill in the blanks and gain full access to your account, so beware.

Keep in mind, though, that legitimate businesses or financial institutions may request your three-digit security number (known as CVC2 by MasterCard and CVV2 by Visa) to authenticate a transaction. Just be sure you know whom you re talking to before giving it out.

Answer 3

Debit cards do not usually have 3 digit security codes. Look on the back, where the signature strip is. Apparently this card can be issued as a credit or a debit card depending on your bank. If it is issued at a credit card, the security code should be at the back.

Answer 4

Anyone that accepts payment by credit card without seeing the actual card is supposed to ask for the 3 digit code to verify that you actually have the card. If you called to order something and used the card to pay, you should be fine. If someone called you and asked for the number, it is probably a scam.

Answer 5

If it is a reputable vendor, it is OK. It may be required. It is a security # that proves to the credit card company that you actually have the credit card in hand while placing an order rather than someone else that got your credit card # off of some form.

Answer 6

If you don't give out this they will not send out the goods. When you are buying goods without the card in the sellers hands it is the seller who is taking the risk. They ask for this to help prove you have the card. They will also check whether the address matches that on the card.
this isn't the type of fraud you need worry about too much. Watch your bank statement regularly that one is more dangerous.
Don't give out standing order mandates on your credit card you can't cancel them easily.

Answer 7

If this was a reputable company then there is no problem. Companys use this number to verify your card instead of pin or signature, i have done it many times with my credit card company, ordering pizza etc.

Never do it unless you are 100% sure and if your not happy you have every right to ask them why they need or to confirm exactly who they are.

Answer 8

So long as you were giving it to a reputable company yes. They have to have it to varify to the bank/card company that it was the card holder they were taking the information from. (Cos in theory only the card holder sould know it). Without it the bank wont honour your payment

Answer 9

I was wondering that the other day when asked on an order form, but it was a reputable company, had to ask what the heck it was mind, but it is OK to give it out

Answer 10

It depends. If you gave it to a reputable company, that should be fine. But if you ordered something from "Joe Bob's House of Collectibles", I'd think twice.