The term "bank code" is sometimes (inappropriately) used by merchants to refer to the Card Security Code printed on a credit card.

The thief may also use a small keypad to unobtrusively transcribe the 3 or 4 digit Card Security Code, which is not present on the magnetic strip.

Second, an additional 3 or 4 digit Card Security Code (CSC) is now present on the back of most cards, for use in card not present transactions.

Currently there is an industry drive to reduce fraud levels by implementing additional security features such as 'Card Security Code' and 'Address Verification Service' (AVS).

Card Security Code The last three or four digits of a number printed on or just below the signature panel on payment cards - this code was formerly called the CV2.

Less sophisticated stores may rely on consumers to phone or e-mail their orders (although full credit card numbers, expiry date, and Card Security Code, or bank account and routing number should not be accepted by e-mail, for reasons of security).

What I learned is that, by law, any credit card has to have a phone number on the back that a consumer this is like consumer protection law that a consumer can use to call the issuing company for help, and that its called the CSC, the Card Security Code.

However, this process is no longer viable due to widespread requirement by internet credit card processing systems for additional data such as the billing address, the 3 to 4 digit Card Security Code and/or the card's expiration date, as well as the more prevalent use of wireless card scanners that can process transactions right away.