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CVN

eWAY merchants have the option of requesting a Credit Card Verification Number (CVN) from their customers. This is available on both our shared payment solution and XML solution.

Overview
  • CVN (Sometimes referred to CVC, CVC2, CVV or CVV2).
  • A 3 digit verification number that is found on the back of a MasterCard or VISA credit card, or a 4 digit number for AMEX cards.
  • The CVN is not stored on the magnetic strip of a credit card.
  • The CVN cannot be determined from the credit card number.
How it works
  • The customer enters their CVN at the same time as entering their credit card number.
  • Your bank checks that the CVN entered matches the CVN on the card.
  • If the numbers do not match, the transaction will fail.
Technical Details
  • MasterCard supported.
  • VISA supported.
  • AMEX supported.
  • Supported by most banks national and international.
  • CVN is NOT stored by eWAY.
  • Currently Diners is not supported.
Benefits
  • Minimise the risk of charge-backs, if the credit card has support for CVN and an incorrect CVN is entered then the transaction will fail. This means there is no need to request a refund as the transaction is unsuccessful. This SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY.
  • Use this information to determine if you should send your goods or services.
  • If the purchase failed and a CVN was provided then the credit card is possibly fraudulent and should be handled with vigilance.
  • If you have doubts, then ask your customer to fax the front and back of their credit card to you.
  • Not all banks currently check the CVN - an incorrect CVN may be entered and the transaction may still be processed successfully. However if a CVN is entered and the transaction does fail this means that the CVN entered may be incorrect and should act as a warning for you when dealing with the customer.
An example of how to explain to your customer where to find the CVN:

1. Turn credit card over.

2. Find the printed credit card number.

3. See the last digits? That's your CVN!

NB. The CVN is found on the front of AMEX cards, and is 4 digits long.
cvn