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A card security code (CSC), sometimes called card verification data (CVD), card verification number (CVN), card verification value (CVV or CVV2), card verification value code (CVVC), card verification code (CVC or CVC2),verification code (V-code or V code), card code verification (CCV),^[1] or signature panel code (SPC)^[2] are different terms for a security feature for "card not present" payment card transactions instituted to reduce the incidence of credit card fraud.

The CSC is in addition to the bank card number which is embossed or printed on the card. The CSC is used as a security feature, in situations where a PIN cannot be used. The PIN is not printed or embedded on the card but is manually entered by the cardholder during a point-of-sale (card present) transactions. Contactless card and chip cards may electronically generate their own code, such as iCVV or Dynamic CVV.

MasterCard started issuing CSCs in 1997 and Visa in the United States issued them by 2001. American Express started to use the CSC in 1999 in response to growing internet transactions and card member complaints of spending interruptions when the security of a card has been brought into question.

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