Card Security Checks Explained (CVC and AVS)
Card Verification Code (CVC), also known as CVV or CVV2, is a three- or four-digit security code printed on credit and debit cards. This code verifies that the cardholder has the physical card during transactions, especially for online or phone purchases.
Where to find it:
- Visa, MasterCard, and Discover: Three-digit number on the back of the card near the signature strip
- American Express: Four-digit number on the front of the card, above the card number on the right side
CVC Codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| M | Match |
| N | No Match |
| P | Not Processed |
| S | Should be on card but not so indicated |
| U | Issuer Not Certified |
| X | No response from association |
| Blank | No CVV2/CVC data available for transaction. |
What is AVS?
Address Verification System (AVS) is a security measure that verifies the billing address provided by the cardholder against the address on file with their credit card issuer. AVS checks the numerical parts of the address, such as the street number and ZIP code.
AVS Codes
| Code | Description |
| A | Street address matches, ZIP does not |
| B | Street address matches. Postal code not verified due to incompatible formats |
| C | Street address and postal code not verified due to incompatible formats |
| D | Street address and postal code both match (international-only) |
| E | Information invalid or not allowed for this card type |
| F | Street address and postal code both match (UK-only) |
| G | Not verified for international transaction, or issuer does not support verification |
| I | Not verified |
| M | Street address and postal code both match (international-only) |
| N | Neither street address or postal code matches |
| O | Card member name and street address match |
| P | Postal Code matches, street address unverifiable due to incompatible formats (international-only) |
| R | Retry due to system not being available |
| S | Not supported. If present, replaced with U (for domestic) or G (for international) |
| U | Address information is unavailable |
| W | 9-Digit ZIP matches, street address does not |
| Y | 9-Digit ZIP and street address both match |
| X | 5-Digit ZIP and street address both match |
| Z | 5-Digit ZIP matches, street address does not |