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Credit card numbers explained
There are lots of numbers on your credit card, but do you know what they all mean?
1. Credit card number
This is the long number on the front of your card. It's usually 16-19 digits long and is unique to you.
2. Valid from/Expires end
These numbers indicate the month and year your credit card was issued, and when it'll expire.
3. Security number or 'CVV'
For Mastercard and Visa, this is the last 3 digits of the number printed within the signature strip.
Other numbers you might see
Issue number – some card providers include an ‘issue number’, although Lloyds Bank don’t. Starting with a 1, this increases each time a card is re-issued on the same account.
Account number – on a credit card, your account number is included as part of the long credit card number. On a debit card though, this is shown as a separate number underneath the long number.
Sort code – this isn’t a feature of credit cards, but you will see a sort code on debit cards, sitting alongside the account number underneath the long card number.
Key points about credit card numbers
- The long credit card number is usually 16-19 digits and is unique to you.
- The ‘valid from’ date is the month and year your card was opened.
- ‘Expired from’ details the month and year your card will expire.
- For Mastercard and Visa, the ‘CVV’ or ‘security number’ is the last 3 digits of the number printed in the top right-hand corner of the signature strip.
- To use your card at an ATM or shop, you’ll need your PIN, even for some contactless transactions. Although all of your card numbers should be kept safe, only you should ever know you PIN.
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