Card Identification Number  

The Card Identification Number is 3 digits long (4 for American Express). The number appears on your credit card and is a seperate number from your credit card number. The number is not printed on credit card receipts and is not embossed on the credit card.

The ID number acts as an additional safeguard for you because it ensures the purchaser has the card in hand at the time of transaction.

The location and length of the Card Identification Number is as follows:
  VISA, MasterCard and Discover
The Card Identification Number (also known as CVC, CVV2 and CID) is 3-digits long and usually printed on the signature area at the back of the card (See image). It appears seperate from the card number.
  American Express
The Card Identifier (CID) is 4-digits long and non-embossed on the front of the card (see image). If the card does not contain a 4-digit CID number (such as a Corporate Purchasing Card), please contact the card issuer for the number. If you have an AMEX account without a a plastic card associated, then you won't have a CID number. Therefore, you should enter the last 4 digits of your AMEX account number in place of the CID.