Elements of cards security

• Visa cards
• MasterCard
• American Express

•Elements of security on cards Visa

1. Logotype

On cards Visa Electron. Logo of the card looks like black-and-white or multicolored flag with symbol Electron. Logo is always situated on the face of the card, in the right bottom or top its corner. Around the logo on the white mount there is micro text. On other cards Visa. Logo Visa (three-colored flag) is always situated on the face of the card on the right, higher or lower than hologram. On the white mount around logo there is micro text.

2. Number of card

All numbers of cards Visa begin with number 4. Numbers on the card should be stamped exactly, observing total size and interval. Number of the card on its face should coincide with 16-figured (13-figured) number, typed on stripe for signature. On cards Visa Electron, in most cases, number of the card is not embossed, as on other cards Visa, but is typed and can be absent on stripe for signature. Number of the card Visa Electron can contain only 4 last or 4 first numbers. Number on the card should always coincide with the number, typed on check.

3. Last name and name of client

Last name and name should coincide with last name and name printed on check. Some cards can be without printed last name and name.

4. Stylized letter

On the cards issued before June 2006 there should be a stylized asymmetric letter , placed on the same level with dates of the duration of card. On the cards issued after June 2006 presence of stylized letter , is not obligatory. On cards Visa Electron such letter should always be absent.

5. Duration of card

Dates of beginning and duration of the cards are placed under its number. Duration is determined as date of its beginning and ending, for example, 03/04 03/05 (month/year). It means that the card is valid from 00:01 March 1 2004 to 12 p.m. March 31 2005. Sometimes duration of the card can contain only date of its ending. Duration on the card should coincide the one printed on check. Card is admitted to servicing only during this period!!!

6. Stripe for signature

Stripe for signature on the back of the card contains word "Visa" (on cards Visa Electron - "Visa" or "Visa Electron"), which is repeated, applied on-the-miter. After 16-figured (or 13-figured) number a 3-figured checking code of the card (CVV) with back incline is applied, it is assigned for payment for goods and services without physical presence of the card. There is no such code on cards Visa Electron, and presence of code on stripe is not obligatory. Stripe for signature is sensitive to being rubbed. If it was erased or rubbed out, word "VOID" ("invalid") will appear on its surface. Don't accept such card for payment.

Card check code is carried out of signature line. Such code is absent on Visa Electron cards, and code availability is not obligatory on signature line. Signature line is sensitive to deletion. If it was rubbed out or deleted, "VOID" ("invalid") will appear on its surface. Such card can not be accepted for payment.

Line for signature on card reverse side contains "Visa" (on cards Visa Electron - "Visa" or "Visa Electron"), which is reiterated made on-the-mitre. After 16-digit (or 13-digit) number card 3-digit check code is made on the line with reverse inclination (CVV), designated for goods and services payment without card physical presence. Such code is absent on Visa Electron cards, and code availability is not obligatory on signature line. Signature line is sensitive to deletion. If it was rubbed out or deleted, "VOID" ("invalid") will appear on its surface. Such card can not be accepted for payment.

7. Numbers printed on the card

4 numbers, printed on the card typographically higher and lower than the number of the card, should coincide with the first 4 numbers of the card number.

8. All cards should be signed before being used!

Get sure that signature on the card coincides with signature of client on check. If card is not signed, ask client to introduce passport. Check last name and name on the card with passport data. In case there is no last name and name on the card it is necessary to check and compare signatures. Ask client to sign card in your presence. If client refuses to sign card, don't accept it to payment.

9. Presence of chip

Some Visa cards have chip. Presence or absence of chip on two cards with the same design doesn't mean that it is fake.

10. Hologram

Image of pigeon on the card should be three-dimensional and move with changing of position of the card. Last 4 figures of the card should be placed on hologram.

11. Check the card in ultraviolet rays, if there is a possibility.

In the center of the cards Visa (except Visa Electron) in ultraviolet rays image of pigeon will appear, analogue to the image on hologram.

•Elements of security on cards MasterCard

1. Logo

Logo MasterCard has image of two crossed semi-circles of red and yellow colors with inscription "MasterCard" of white color. Situated in the right top or bottom corner of the card. On the cards MasterCard Electronic and Maestro inscription looks and

2. Number of the card

All numbers of cards MasterCard begin with figure 5 (Maestro begins with 6). Figures on the card should be embossed exactly, with observation of total size and interval. Number of the card on its face should coincide with 16-figured number, printed on stripe for signature. On cards Maestro and MasterCard Electronic, in most cases, number of the card is not embossed, but printed and can be absent on stripe for signature. Number on the card should coincide with number, printed on check.

3. Last name and name of client

Last name and name of client should coincide with last name and name, printed on check. Some cards can be without last name and name.

4. Duration of card

Dates of beginning and duration of the cards are placed under its number. Duration is determined as date of its beginning and ending, for example, 03/04 03/05 (month/year). It means that the card is valid from 00:01 March 1 2004 to 12 p.m. March 31 2005. Sometimes duration of the card can contain only date of its ending. Duration on the card should coincide the one printed on check. Card is admitted to servicing only during this period!!!

5. Numbers printed on the card

4 numbers, printed on the card typographically higher and lower than the number of the card, should coincide with the first 4 numbers of the card number.

6. Stylized sign

On the cards issued before June 206 there should be a stylized sign , placed on the same level with dates of the beginning and duration of card on the right. On the cards MasterCard issued after June 2006 , there should be no stylized sign , Neither there is such sign on cards Maestro.

7. Stripe for signature.

Stripe on the back of the card contains repeated word "MasterCard" (on cards Maestro can be absent), printed with different colors on-the-miter 45 degrees. After 16-figured number on the stripe with back incline there is a 3-figured checking code of card (CVV), assigned for payment for goods and services without physical presence of the card. There is no such code on cards MasterCard Electronic and Maestro ad presence of 16-figured number on the stripe for signature is not obligatory. Stripe for signature is sensitive to being rubbed. If it was erased or rubbed out, word "VOID" ("invalid") will appear on its surface. Don't accept such card for payment.

8. All cards should be signed before being used!

Get sure that signature on the card coincides with signature of client on check. If card is not signed, ask client to introduce passport. Check last name and name on the card with passport data. In case there is no last name and name on the card it is necessary to check and compare signatures. Ask client to sign card in your presence. If client refuses to sign card, don't accept it to payment.

9. Presence of chip

Some cards MasterCard have chip. Presence or absence of chip on two cards with the same design doesn't mean that it is fake.

10. Hologram

Image of crossed semi circles should be three-dimensional and move with changing of position of the card. Word "MasterCard" should appear at the bottom of hologram. Last figures of the number of the card should be placed on hologram. Around semi circles there is micro engraving of letters "MC". On cards Maestro hologram in most cases is absent.

•Elements of security on cards American Express

1. Appearance

All cards American Express are produced on high printed level. Cards that seem to be not neat, should arise suspicion. Payment cards American Express have even glossy finish. Check that no part of surface looks flat in comparison with the rest of surface. Texture of the card should be smooth and upper protecting layer should not separate from plastic. Some American Express cards have chip. American Express Centurion Titanium Cards are made of titanium. Presence or absence of chip on two cards with the same design doesn't mean that it is fake. All cards American Express have trade mark logo of the company - American Express Blue Box. Logo remains unchanged, irrespective of color and design of the card.

2. Number of the card

All numbers of cards American Express begin with 37 and contain 15 symbols. Get sure that it is impossible to rub out the number of the card. Number of the card on its face and back should coincide.

3. Year of issue of the first card to client

This figure means year of issue of the first card American Express to client. Compare it with the age of the bearer of the card. On some cards such information can be absent.

4. Duration of the card

Get sure that date of payment is within the range of duration, indicated on the card. Cards are not accepted to payment before beginning and after ending of duration.

5. Last name and name of client

Last name and name of client should coincide with last name and name, printed on check. Some cards can be without last name and name.

6. Color of plastic on the cut of the payment card

Color of plastic on the cut of the card can be both white and colored. Thickness and sizes of card American Express do not differ from cards of other payment systems.

7. Stripe for signature

Get sure that bearer of the card is its real owner. Only the person whose last name and name are embossed on the card and whose signature is on it can use the card American Express. Stripe for signature is sensitive to being rubbed. If it was erased or rubbed out, word "VOID" ("invalid") will appear on its surface. Don't accept such card for payment. Cards with mechanical damages of stripe for signature should arise special attention and be accepted to payment only after providing a document, identifying the person.

8. Check the card in ultraviolet rays, if there is a possibility

Cards American Express should shine in the rays of ultraviolet lamp, showing the word AMEX.