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What is Card Not Present?

card not pres - ent
noun

A Card Not Present (CNP) transaction refers to a type of payment where the cardholder, or the physical credit card itself, is not physically present at the point of sale. In CNP transactions, the cardholder provides card information, usually the card number, expiration date, and the card's security code (e.g., CVV or CVC), without physically swiping, inserting or tapping the card. CNP transactions are common in eCommerce, mail order/telephone order (MOTO) sales and other remote or online payment scenarios.
 

How do CNP transactions work?

CNP transactions typically occur when credit card information is exchanged electronically, such as over the internet, through telephone orders, or by mail. These transactions have gained significant attention because they are more susceptible to fraud compared to in-person card-present transactions.

Due to the higher risk of fraud associated with CNP transactions (as opposed to card-present transactions where the physical card is used), additional security measures, such as Address Verification System (AVS) checks and Card Verification Value (CVV or CVC) verification, are commonly employed to verify the card holder's identity and prevent unauthorized use.