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What is a card security code?  (CVC, CVV, CID)

card se-cu-ri-ty code
noun

A card security code, often referred to as CVV (Card Verification Value), serves as a critical security feature for online transactions, especially in situations where the physical card is not presented during the payment process, known as a card-not-present transaction. This code typically consists of three or four digits which serve in verifying the legitimacy of the transaction.

The CVV is strategically located on the back of Visa and Mastercard debit or credit cards, while it appears on the front of American Express debit or credit cards. Its primary purpose is to act as a robust tool for preventing fraudulent activities by confirming that the person initiating the payment possesses the physical card in question.