Security code and billing address

The card security code is a unique three or four-digit number printed on the shopper's debit/credit card. This number is not embossed on the card and hence not printed on receipts - making it difficult for anyone other than the genuine cardholder to know it. Some card issuers refer to this number as the Card Security Code others as the personal security code and others as Card Verification Value.

Some cards, including many UK-issued cards, have a three-digit number printed at the top of the signature strip on the reverse of the card:

Other cards, such as American Express, have a four-digit number printed on the front of the card, above the account number:

Billing address

Shoppers should enter the address to which their card statement is currently sent. It is essential that shoppers keep your card issuer informed of any changes of address. The shopper's billing address must match the address held by the shopper's card issuer exactly. If it does not, retailers may defer acceptance of the transaction and seek further proof of the shopper's address, or decline the purchase altogether.