When you glance at the numbers on your credit card, they’re more than just digits – they identify the card network, the issuing bank, and even you as the cardholder. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each part of your credit card number means and how to protect it.
First Credit Card Digit: Identifying the Card Network
The first digit of your credit card signifies the payment network or industry it belongs to. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 2 or 5: Mastercard
- 3: American Express
- 4: Visa
This digit may also identify the card’s associated industry (e.g., Banking, Airlines, or Merchandising).
Next Five Digits: Issuer Identification Number (IIN)
- These digits tell you which institution issued your card and the product type. They’re known as the Issuer Identification Number (IIN) or Bank Identification Number (BIN).
Remaining Numbers: Cardholder Identification
- The 7th to the 15th digit (14th for Amex) form a unique sequence that identifies you as the cardholder.
Final Digit: The Check Digit
- This last number verifies the card’s validity using a mathematical formula, ensuring your card number is correct.
Other Important Numbers on Your Card:
- Expiration Date: Four digits (MM/YY) that indicate when your card expires.
- Security Code (CVV/CVC): Three or four digits that verify online or phone purchases.
How to Keep Your Credit Card Number Safe
- Use Mobile Wallets: Platforms like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay use unique transaction codes to prevent sharing your card number with merchants.
- Shop Securely: Avoid public Wi-Fi, and only use secure websites that begin with “https”.
- Use Virtual Cards: Many cards offer virtual numbers for online shopping, keeping your real card number private.