A new Security feature on th eback of Visa and MasterCard Cards will help merchants avoid fruad and increase profits.

Three-Digit Value

An important new security feature for card-not-present transactions now appears on the back of most Visa and MasterCards. This feature is a three-digit value which provides a cryptographic check of the informtion embossed on the card.

Located at the end of the card account number printed in the signature panel, this three-digit value represents the "Card Verification Value 2" (CVV2)and helps validate that:

• the customer has a genuine Visa Card in his/her possession and
• the card account is legitimate.

Fewer Chargebacks--More Profit

Who in the direct marketing business wouldn't like to see chargebacks reduced? Visa projects a 26% reduction in card-not-present chargebacks just from the use of CVV2!

Asking for CVV2

During the order taking process, ask the customer:

• for the account number on the front of the card.
• the card's expiratin date.

Then ask the customer to:

• turn the card over and read the last three digits of the number printed in the signature panel.

Include the CVV2 number in the Authorizatin Request

Authorization requests must inculde at least:

• Account number
• Expiration Date
• CVV2 value
• Transaction dollar amount

Merchants participating in CVV2 can expect to receive a "match" or "no match" response.

Summing IT All Up

CVV2 can help you minimiize fraud, reduce fraud-related chargebacks, and improve your porfitability. Now is the time to educate your order takers to ask for those three key digits!