Developer's Guide

Table Of Contents
Credit Card Transactions
Card Security Code Validation
46 Payflow Pro Developer’s Guide
Card Security Code Validation
The card security code is a 3- or 4-digit number (not part of the credit card number) that is
printed on the credit card. Because the card security code appears only on the card and not on
receipts or statements, the card security code provides some assurance that the physical card is
in the possession of the buyer.
This fraud prevention tool has various names, depending on the payment network. Visa calls it
CVV2 and MasterCard calls it CVC2. To ensure that your customers see a consistent name,
PayPal recommends use of the term card security code on all end-user materials.
IMPORTANT:To comply with credit card association regulations, do not store the CVV2
value.
On most cards, the card security code is printed on the back of the card (usually in the
signature field). All or part of the card number appears before the card security code (567 in
the example). For American Express, the 4-digit number (1122 in the example) is printed on
the front of the card, above and to the right of the embossed account number. Be sure to
explain this to your customers.
FIGURE 4.1 Card security code
Processing Platforms and Credit Cards Supporting Card Security Code
NOTE: You need to contact American Express to be set up to accept their CID card security
code.
TABLE 4.13 Processing platforms supporting card security code
Processing Platform
American
Express Discover Master Card Visa
American Express Phoenix X
American Express Brighton X
FDMS Nashville X X X X
FDMS North X X X X