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The 4 major credit cards all have unique identification features that serve as both security and validation features. Accepting all major credit cards with an understanding on how to indentify these features will give your business an edge and also help to prevent fraud and loss.

Discover® Network Card Identification Features

1. 
   The words "DISCOVER NETWORK" will appear under an ultraviolet light.
   
   
2. All Discover Network account numbers start with 6. The embossing should be uniform in size and spacing, and extend into the hologram.
   
   
3. "Valid Thru" indicates the last month in which the card is valid.
   
   
4. A Business Name may be embossed below the account name.
   
   
5. An embossed Security Character appears as a styled "D."
   
   
6. The three-dimensional hologram should reflect light and appear to move.
   
   
7. The Magnetic strip should appear smooth, with no signs of tampering.
   
   
8. The words "DISCOVER NETWORK" appear on the signature panel, and an underprint reading "VOID."
   
   
9. The last four digits of the account number appear on the signature panel in reverse indent printing.
   
   
10. The three-digit Card Identification Data (CID) appears to the right of the signature panel.
    
    
11. The Discover® Network Acceptance Mark appears on both sides of the card.
    
    

American Express® Card Identification Features

1. The letters "AMEX" and a phosphorescence in the Centurion portrait are visible under an ultraviolet light.
   
   
2. Pre-printed (non-embossed) Card Identification Number (CID) should always appear above the account number.
   
   
3. Do not accept a Card after the expiration date.
   
   
4. Only the person whose name is embossed on an American Express Card is entitled to use it.
   
   
5. All American Express account numbers start with 3 Embossing should be clear and uniform in size and spacing. The number on the front and back of the Card, plus the one printed on the sales receipt should all match.
   
   
6. With this statement on the Card, American Express reserves the right to "pick up" the Card at any time.
   
   
7. Some Cards have a hologram of the Amercian Express image embedded into the magnetic stripe.
   
   
8. The signature on the back of the Card should match the customer's signature on the receupt. The signature panel is tamper-evident.

All MasterCard account numbers start with 5. The embossing shoud be uniform in size and spacing, and extend into the hologram.


The pre-printed Bank Identification Number (BIN) must match the first four digits of the embossed account number.


The valid date lists the last month in which the card is valid.


Issuers have the option of placing a holographic magnetic stripe on the card back, replacing the Globe hologram or the Debit hologram.


The three-dimensional hologram, which may appear on the front OR the back should reflect light and appear to move.


All new and re-issued consumer Debit cards must display the Debit hologram.


The magnetic stripe should appear smooth, with no signs of tampering.


The last four digits of the account number appear on the signature panel in reverse indent printing.


The three-digit CVC2 appears to the right of the signature panel.


The word "MasterCard" is printed repeatedly in multicolors at an angle on a tamper-evident signature panel.