Selling CVV/CVC numbers instantly online is illegal card fraud. A CVV or CVC is a card verification code used to confirm that a payment card is present during a transaction. It is not a standalone product, and no legitimate marketplace sells CVV/CVC data. Offers to sell CVV numbers online are signs of criminal activity, scams, or both.
What a CVV/CVC is used for
Card issuers use the CVV/CVC to reduce card-not-present fraud. The code appears on the card or in a digital wallet, and the cardholder shares it only with a merchant during a purchase. Merchants must protect the code and must not store it after authorization.
Why selling CVV/CVC data is illegal
Payment card numbers and verification codes are access devices under U.S. federal law. Trafficking in stolen or unauthorized card data can lead to criminal charges, fines, and restitution. Buyers also commit fraud when they use a CVV/CVC they do not own. A platform that promises instant CVV sales is not a legitimate business.
How to protect CVV/CVC data during online purchases
- Enter the CVV/CVC only on the payment page of a merchant you trust.
- Cover the code when you use a physical card in a store or at a kiosk.
- Use a virtual card number from your issuer when a site offers that option.
- Turn on transaction alerts in your card issuer's app.
- Never send a CVV/CVC by email, text, or chat.
- Review card statements each week for unauthorized charges.
How to report CVV/CVC trafficking
- Contact your card issuer and ask to block the card and dispute charges.
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission.
- Report the seller or listing to the platform that hosts it.
- Contact your local police department if you lost money.
What to do if you see an instant CVV sale offer
Do not send money, do not share card data, and do not test the seller with a real card. Save screenshots and report the offer. The Federal Trade Commission and the FBI warn that carding schemes often use fake reviews and fake escrow services to take funds from buyers.