CVC Code

Should you make it required?

[kris]

My business is having to deal with a lot of credit card fraud lately. In our checkout process we ask for the CVC code on the credit card but do not make it a required field. In an attempt to curb this problem upper management has decided to make this field required.

I was hoping some of you could weigh in on this topic. Personally I don't like the idea of it. Not all cards have the CVC# and most people don't even know what a CVC Code is.

Is it wise to make this field required in order to make a purchase online?

[curlykarl]

Definetly :)

No CVC, no sale, simple!

Karl

[martyt]

Every U.S.-issued card should have a CVVS code on it by now. In any case, the number of cards without the code is in an ever-shrinking minority. I don't know about international cards (and don't really care, as I only do business in the USA).

I've required the CVVS code since we started the business early this year. Customers still have a hard time entering it correctly, but I refuse to process a sale without the CVVS number.

I think we get a better discount rate for transactions that do both AVS and CVVS checking - so there's some incentive for sure.

[hannamyluv]

Supposedly, Visa means to require all merchants have a CVVC verification in a few years. It might be wise to get a jump on it.

[pageoneresults]

Here is a discussion that took place in November 2003 on this particular subject...

Anyone require CVV2 code to complete transactions? [webmasterworld.com]
Is this anti-fraud feature worth the potential cost...

[JoeHouse]

Absolutely cvc is a must. I have tried without it and you would not believe the amount of fraud and dishonest people out there!

Most people who are serious and honest about buying your product will have no problem with the installation of cvc.

[John_Shaw]

I found that requiring the code somewhat reduced my sales.

I sell cheap eBooks and software to a niche engineering market. Most downloads are to company computers. This is stuff that you would not be able to resell easily. I have had only one case of card fraud, and then the purchaser had physical position of the card. It was a college student who "borrowed" his sleeping roomates card, and forgot to tell him about it.

If you ship more expensive goods with a general appeal, or things that can be sold to buyers of stolen goods, your risk is probably higher.

So I don't require the code, but those who have significant fraud might want to use it.

Of course, it will not protect against crooks who have (or have had at one time) physical possession of the card.