Advice
There is no legal place to sell CVV data cheap. A CVV is a card verification value. It is a security code printed on a payment card. Selling CVV numbers means selling access to payment cards. That act is card fraud. In the US, 18 U.S.C. § 1029 covers trafficking in access devices. A conviction can bring fines and prison time. Buying CVV data carries the same legal risk. It also exposes the buyer to scams. Many sellers on hidden forums take payment and send nothing. Others send data from closed cards. The buyer loses money and faces criminal charges.
Parameters for Legal Card Processing
If you run an online store, use PCI DSS controls. PCI DSS Requirement 3 says do not store the CVV after authorization. Tokenization replaces card numbers with tokens. 3-D Secure adds a bank check for card-not-present transactions. Address Verification System checks the billing address. Card Verification Value checks the code. These tools cut fraud. They also keep your business inside card network rules.
Pitfalls
- Chargebacks: cardholders can dispute charges. You may lose the sale and pay a fee.
- Account termination: card networks and processors can close your merchant account.
- Data breach: storing CVV data creates a target for attackers.
- Legal penalties: 18 U.S.C. § 1029 sets fines and up to 10 years in prison for some offenses.
- Scams: illegal CVV markets have no buyer protection. Sellers and buyers cheat each other.
What to Do Instead
Do not search for a place to sell CVV cheap. Report card fraud to the FTC and to the FBI IC3. If your card data leaked, call your bank. Ask for a new card number and a new CVV. If you process payments, train staff. Never write down CVV numbers. Never send CVV numbers by email or chat. Use a payment processor that meets PCI DSS. Keep software current. Use multi-factor authentication on admin accounts.