Credit Card Numbers and What They Mean.

Security begins with understanding credit card numbers and what they mean for gas, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards.



All the numbers that appear on your credit card have a precise meaning and do not only specify its holder. Let's examine these meanings.

The majority of credit card companies use the same approach when choosing a card number. Let's consider those that are applied by all.

The number begins with either a 3,4,5, or 6. This digit characterizes the type of your card:

3 is for a card for Travel & Entertainment ... Diner's Club and American Express fall into this category.

4 is the brand for Visa and Visa-branded cash and debit cards.

5 as the first digit is for MasterCard brands of credit, debit, and cash cards, etc.

6 is the first number you will see on all Discover credit cards.

Then we have a digit that in the case of American Express and Diners Club will classify the company itself. Therefore, while American Express cards will start with either "34" or "37", Diners Club cards will always begin with either "36" or "38".

What is left is a series of numbers that might be applied differently on the basis of issuer and the card type.

Very often what follows is first a group of numbers that identifies the card-issuing bank, then the holder's account, and finally a check number. This digit is calculated through a specific formula in relation to all the previous numbers and is used to protect against fraudulent use.

To be clearer about these numbers, compare your card against the following points.

American Express

Digits three and four are used by The American Express Card to identify the card type (business or personal) and the cardholder's currency. Then, the group of digits from the 5th all the way to the 11th represents the account numbers. Finally, digits twelve through fourteen specify the card number, while the last digit is the above mentioned check digit.

Visa

Visa uses digits two through six to specify the bank number. Digits seven till fifteen represent the account number, followed again by the check digit. In the case of Visa, the total number of digits can be different as these cards do not all have the same sum of numbers in the series.

MasterCard

With MasterCard, the 2nd digit, to between the third and the sixth digit, represents the bank number. The remaining digits identify the cardholder's account, except for the check digit at the end.

Gas Credit Cards and Department Store Charge Cards

Some others like telephone, store and gas only credit cards apply a different technique that is specific to each company; you can see some of the similarities if you look at 2 different cards from the same company; but since the numbering convention isn't the same across all companies, it would be hard to go into detail on each and every one.

Why Know Credit Card Numbers and What They Mean?

Although this information might seem apparently useless, knowing more details about your card can be an important source of power in preventing credit card fraud.

Credit Card Resources

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and more! Looking for a new credit card? Find the right card at the right rate. Compare offers and apply online.

Apply now for the Discover® Student Card-No Annual Fee

Click Here to Apply for the Discover® More Card!

In over your head? Money problems stressing you to the max? Check out fast debt elimination now!




Related Articles

Learn more about credit cards and your credit score with these related articles:

All about Credit Cards ... a series of articles on choosing credit cards, how to evaluate them and where to get them, quickly and easily!

Your credit score ... what to do, where to go, and how to handle it ...

Return to the top of Credit Card Numbers and What They Mean.

Return to Introduction to Credit Cards.




Getting The Answers You Need

Need help to get your expenses under control fast? Check this out.

Be sure and check out the various debt solution reviews, tips, and articles provided on DebtSteps.com:

Find Your Solution offers a comprehensive list of reviews to get out of debt once and for all. Get answers on bankruptcy, consumer credit counseling, debt settlement, money management, budgeting, loans and mortgages.

Debt Relief Tips & Articles to guide you on your way to financial freedom. Get the lowdown on dealing with debt collectors, handling money problems, understanding your credit, and more.



Get credit cards with current credit card offers and apply online. From bad to excellent credit, the best credit card deals are here:

Low Interest Cards
Balance Transfer Cards
Cards for Bad Credit

Introduction to Credit Cards, compare and apply online.
Our introduction to credit cards will help you compare credit cards, their offerings and find the right online application forms.

What To Do When Your Credit Card Is Lost Or Stolen.
Sadly enough, wallets and purses get stolen or lost quite frequently. So, what shall you do if your credit card is missing? You need to know to protect yourself from identity theft!

Credit card payment terms, understand them and use to your advantage.
If you use credit card payment terms wisely, you can improve your credit card rating, and learn about credit card laws too.

Finding poor credit to prepaid credit cards, even secured business credit cards.
Learn about the various types of credit cards available today. Good credit opens a world of options; but what if you don't have that? Finding poor credit, prepaid and secured personal and business credit cards isn't hard.

Credit card applications process, finding your way to easy credit cards.
Going through credit card applications isn't a minefield but there are a few things you need to know to find your way to easy credit cards.

Know the types of credit cards and their features.
Knowing the features and types of credit cards available will help you to choose the right one for your needs.

Credit Card Numbers and What They Mean.
Security begins with understanding credit card numbers and what they mean for gas, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards.

Finding best credit card deals happens when you know the credit card features.
Getting the best credit card deals comes from due diligence and research on your part. Understand credit card features, cash back and points earned on credit card rewards programs before you apply.

Why Does A Credit Card Expire and How Do You Renew It?
Learn why a credit card expires, how to renew it and what to watch out for.

The best credit card rate and the various APR features of credit cards.
You can't get the best credit card rate until you understand the APR features of credit cards, then you can make an intelligent choice and get the best credit cards.

Credit cards guaranteed? Don't believe everything you forgot to read.
Yes, you can find credit cards guaranteed approval, and in a lot of cases they will be issued; but what if they aren't? What can you do when you need bad credit credit cards?

The best credit cards and credit card comparisons.
Finding the best credit cards begins with evaluating and credit card comparison of offers to find the right one for your needs.

No credit credit cards for teens, college students and you.
Applying for a no credit credit card isn't hard when you know where to look and how to apply.

Learn About Credit Cards
Learning about credit cards, their offers, benefits, features and terms will help you to make an educated financial decision and get the best credit card rates.



What's New

Energy Saving Ideas make sense with these 10 energy saving tips for home!

Top 10 tips to save gas. More gas saving ideas for your budget!

Get credit cards with current credit card offers and apply online. From bad to excellent credit, the best credit card deals are here!

Top 10 smart money tips for banking will give you simple steps on how to reduce banking fees and decrease transaction costs.

Finding 10 ways to cut expenses on credit cards, mortgages and loans will free up extra cash for savings and fun.

Budgeting? Free household budget form automatically calculates totals and financial ratios to help you make smart spending decisions!

Get more on what's new ...










Credit Card Numbers and What They Mean.