CVV Checking Automation: Merchant Rules and Legal Limits

CVV checking automation: answer

CVV checking automation is a payment tool that validates the 3-digit or 4-digit card verification value during a card-not-present transaction. In the US, merchants and payment processors use it to reduce fraud. Buying or selling CVV data is a federal crime. This guide covers legitimate CVV verification and the legal limits.

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What a CVV is

A CVV is a code printed on a payment card. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover use a 3-digit code on the back. American Express uses a 4-digit code on the front. The code is not stored in the magnetic stripe or chip. The code is not the card number. The code is not the PIN.

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How legitimate CVV checking works

A merchant sends the card number, expiration date, and CVV to a payment processor. The processor sends an authorization request to the card network. The issuer compares the CVV to its records. The issuer returns an approval, decline, or CVV mismatch code. The merchant gets a response in seconds. The merchant must not store the CVV after the authorization. PCI DSS Requirement 3.2 prohibits storage of sensitive authentication data after authorization.

CVV Test Automation Script: A Comprehensive Guide

Automation rules for merchants

• Use PCI DSS compliant payment gateways.
• Tokenize card data. Do not keep CVV.
• Set velocity limits on card testing attempts.
• Monitor for many small authorizations from one IP address.
• Use 3-D Secure for online transactions.

Illegal CVV markets

Sites that buy or sell CVV data traffic in stolen card numbers. The FBI and FTC treat these sites as illegal. A person who buys, sells, or uses CVV data without authorization can face charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1029. Penalties include fines and prison time. Automated CVV checking against stolen cards is card testing. Card testing causes chargebacks and account closures.

What is unknown

No public data gives the exact size of the illegal CVV market. Estimates vary by source and year. This guide does not provide methods for automated CVV checking of stolen cards.