Give me your CVV

I have a thing about CVV numbers.

You ask - what is a CVV number?

Here's a link to explain

It’s the 3 digit number on the back of your credit card. It proves that you are the holder of the credit card. So, if you know the credit card details viz. the 16 digit number, the account name and the expiry date (which is probably already on a foreign database somewhere) AND if you know the CVV, then the transaction will be allowed. The bank knows that it is absolutely you.

If you give away your CVV (other than via a secure online transaction) then you are giving away your financial identity.

Don’t do it!

If a merchant asks you for it in writing, by phone or by email – don’t give it. Decline the business and move on. Be firm.

Business merchants love to get the CVV because it guarantees that the transaction will be honoured. 

Here’s ANZ Bank’s comment on the use of CVV from a merchant’s persective

This is not written from an individual’s perspective.

If I see the request for a CVV on paper then as a courtesy I contact the business and politely inform them that they shouldn’t be asking for it. It compromises a person’s financial identify. There is no protection from it being copied and sold to others to be used for fraudulent activities – and your bank will not be pleased that you have given away your CVV.

If you do want to do business with a merchant, then do it via a secure link to their online service. When is it secure you ask? When you see one of those padlock symbols in your browser next to the URL.