Preventing Credit Card Fraud

Contact the credit card company for information on the security measures used with their cards. Some information on these security features is listed below.

Visa:

The Visa logo will have micro-printing around the edge. This printing is barely visible without magnification.

The “flying dove” hologram will appear to fly when the card is tilted

The embossed account number will begin with a 4 and be 16 digits long. All numbers will be even and of the same size.

A four digit number will be printed beneath the embossed account number. These four digits will be exactly the same as the first four numbers of the account

A flying “V” is embossed after the “Good thru” date. The “V” must be italicized or the card is counterfeit.

The “Good thru” or “Valid thru” date must be after the date of the transaction or the card has expired. Call the card issuer to proceed with the sale if it is not.

The signature panel should be white with the word “Visa” printed repeatedly, diagonally, and in blue and gold print.

The account number will be printed on in the signature panel.

The Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) is a three digit number that helps Mail Order/Telephone order (MO/TO) and internet businesses verify that the person has the card in his/her possession and that the account is valid.

If someone has attempted to erase or alter the signature, the word “void” will appear.

MasterCard:

All MasterCard accounts begin with the number 5. Check that the embossing is even and all numbers are the same size. The account number should extend into the hologram.

The three-dimensional hologram with interlocking globes should reflect light and seem to move when you rotate the card.

The back of the card MUST be signed and compared to the signature on the sales slip.

The magnetic stripe should be smooth with no signs of tampering.

Discover:

The account number is always 16 digits, the first four of which are always “6011.”

One of two special embossed characters (n or D) appears on the same line as Member Since and Expiration Date information

The Discover Card hologram has four distinct images

The name shown on the front of the card (e.g., Discover® Card, Private Issue®, etc.) will appear in repetitive fine line printing on the back of the card (or on both sides for some brands)

The tamper-resistant signature panel has an overprint of Discover at a 45-degree angle and an under print of VOID. The signature panel also contains a three-digit validation code in reverse indent printing.

American Express:

American Express cards are non-transferable. Only the person whose name appears on the card is authorized to use it.

The card MUST be signed by the person whose name appears on the front of the card, and should closely match the signature on the sales draft. If the customer refuses, do not complete the transaction.

American Express accounts have 15 digits and begin with “37.” Account numbers are separated into 3 blocks of 5 digits.

Do not process a transaction if the card is not presented, or if the customer repeats the account number from memory, from a slip of paper, or an old charge receipt.

Be suspicious if the customer needs to look at the card while signing the sales draft.

For all Credit Card Transactions:

Maintain control of the card throughout the transaction. Customers who are in a hurry to put the card away before you can examine it may be trying to prevent you from checking the signature or noticing anything unusual. Additionally, if you receive a response such as “Pick up” from a verification system, it will be easier if you already have control of the card.

The card MUST be signed. If the card is not signed, have the customer sign the card in your presence. Ask for government-issued ID and compare the signature on the ID to the one on the sales draft and card. Compare the picture and physical characteristics given on the ID to the person presenting the card.

Credit card companies do not consider “See ID” instead of a signature on the back of the card acceptable. If a customer presents you with a card that states “See ID,” you should politely explain that the card must be signed. Have the customer sign over what is written in the signature panel. If they refuse, do not accept the card.