When to Share Your Credit Card’s Security Code

Reader Comments
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Does giving out only your security code put you at any risk?

lucas moody of WA 2:51PM August 27, 2012

What about on mail in forms? Mail order purchases, mailed in donations, etc. can you be asked to write down this code (are they allowed to ask and if so is it adviseable to do this?)

Melissa of MA 4:38PM March 20, 2012

go to a restaurant, give then your credit card, they can copy the card number AND the security code, they then return your card and let you sign the receipt.
now they can use your card online.

jim of CA 12:42AM February 01, 2011

I recently went to Best Buy and purchased a ipad with cash and was not pleased with the functions so I attempted to return it and was told I could have a gift card ( i am not sure how a gift card is a refund) or wait a unspecified number of weeks until a check for the refund amount could be issued. BE SURE TO CHECK BEFORE YOU PAY about cash refunds.

flycaster of ID 12:53PM January 20, 2011

Yes, Rick of Texas: 2 bits means 25 Cents -- thanks for the reminder to pay cash for purchases for which you may have to actually physically hand over your credit card - to someone you don't know - for a long time, I had been getting cash every couple of weeks for this purpose -- then I began to use my cc for all purchases just to get "points" -- but your reminder makes me think I should go back to carrying cash for these types of purchases...

Anna of Texas of TX 1:51PM January 16, 2011

These days this may be a novel idea; that is to actually carry $100 in your pocket or wallet, and to pay with cash for a dinner while traveling, or when you are in a "seedy" part of town. Remember that if you use cash, no one can steal any credit card number from you, and it feels so much better walking out of a restaurant without any debt to pay when the credit card statement comes around next month. Of course you don't have to do it all the time, but I think more of us should be using cash for those small, risky, purchases. just my 2 bits (do you know what 2 bits is?).

Rick of TX 9:42PM January 15, 2011

ALL OF OUR CREDIT, DEBIT, OR ANY OTHER CARDS, SHOULD HAVE A THIRD NUMBER (OR A SECURE PASSWORD FROM US) THAT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR ALL THESE COMPANIES TO ASK FOR. THIS WOULD BE OUR SECURITY THROUGH OUR BANKS, CREDIT UNIONS, ETC. OTHERWISE, THE WAY IT IS NOW, ALL ON LINE PURCHASES ARE " REQUIRED " FOR US TO GIVE THEM THE 3 or 4 DIGIT NUMBER, OR WE " CANNOT CONTINUE THE PURCHASE ". EVEN THE SMARTEST PEOPLE WHO KNOW THIS, STILL GET RIPPED OFF THEMSELVES.
REMEMBER THE GUY WHO AVERTISED HIS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON A TRUCK? WELL, HE EVEN HAD HIS IDENITY STOLEN...NOT EVERYONE KNOWS THIS. I SAY GOOD LUCK FOR NOW TO ALL.

Mr. ED of FL 4:55PM January 15, 2011

Beware of large retail stores, i.e., Walmart especially. DO NOT purchase anything on-line from Walmart, or you may see a charge from time to time on a $50 dollar gift card purchase that you did not authorize. This is wide spread in this industrie......

A. Hutchinson of SC 9:49AM January 15, 2011