how can i find out my credit card verication number?

It seems like more and more online places are asking for your credit
card verification number when placing an order.  One reason for this
is to reduce the amount of online credit card fraud.  Online merchants
can't really compare the signature on your card with the signature on
a charge slip.  And so they have introduced the verification number as
an additionally security mechanism.

If you look the the back of your MasterCard or Visa, you'll find some
numbers printed on the signature strip.  The "verification number" is
the last three digits.  On American Express cards the verification
number is on the front with a four digit number on it.

Below are links to some sites that show you examples of where on the
card verification numbers are located:
http://www.moracom.com/ccverification.html
http://www.drdetailshop.com/creditcard.htm
http://autospeed.com/help/ccv.html

If you do not have access to your card, you may try calling the
customer service department for your card.  If you provide them with
your credit card number and additional information, they may be able
to provide you with the verification number.

Additionally, if you can not find these numbers on the back of your
card as shown in the examples, you will need to contact your card's
customer service as well.  Perhaps you have an older card without a
number on it?

Search terms used:
"credit card" "verification number"

Please let me know if this doesn't help.

leep-ga

If you have swiped your card so often that the verification numbers
printed on the back have worn off, you can call the customer service
number (usually printed somewhere on your card) and request that they
send you a new card.