Your CVV is requested at the final checkout step on the secure payment page, directly after entering your card number and expiration date. The field is always part of the credit card input form, never an email or text message request.
What Is the CVV Field?
The CVV is a 3- or 4-digit security code printed on your physical card. Online merchants ask for it to confirm you physically possess the card during a card-not-present transaction.
Where Exactly to Enter CVV During Checkout
On the order review page or dedicated payment page, you will see separate labeled boxes for card number, expiration date, security code, and billing zip code. The CVV field is often labeled "Security Code," "CVV," "CVC," or "CID."
For Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, enter the last 3 digits on the signature strip on the back of your card. For American Express, enter the 4 digits on the front above the account number.
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What about saved cards or digital wallets?
If you use a saved card, the site may not ask for the CVV again. Digital wallets like Apple Pay and PayPal do not require CVV at each purchase because tokenization replaces your card data.
When a Website Should Never Ask for CVV
Legitimate sites never ask for CVV in a direct message, over the phone, or on a page without "https" in the address. They also never ask you to email or text a picture of your card.
Safety Check Before You Enter CVV
Before typing your CVV, confirm that the checkout page URL begins with "https://" and shows a padlock icon in the browser bar. This indicates an encrypted connection that protects your card details.