My Merchant Account Blog

MasterCard Security Card Features

Thursday, February 08, 2007

When a consumer gives you his / her MasterCard® credit card to process, you should swipe the credit card and hold on to the credit card.  Every MasterCard® card contains a set of unique design features and security elements developed by MasterCard® to help merchants verify a card's legitimacy.  This will allow you to take a look at the credit card to verify the security features and to compare the signature on the back of the card with the signature on the sales receipt.

MasterCard International has introduced new card design format options and modified several card security features. New card design options offer flexible placement of the MasterCard Hologram (card front or back) and introduce the option to use a new holographic magnetic tape, HoloMag™ (card back only). This quick reference guide will highlight valid card formats, as well as mandated card security features.

Front of the MasterCard®

The "MC" Security Character is no longer permitted on newly issued cards (effective June 1, 2006), but may continue to appear on cards through June 2010. This is the cursive M that you might see near the expiration date.  The MasterCard® log should be on the right hand side, either in the top right or lower right of the card. On the front, you will see a embossed or printed account number. The account number should be even and straight. Right underneath the account number, you will see four digits. This four-digit number must match exactly with the first four digits of the account number.

Requirements

• Must include full-color MasterCard® Brand Mark
• MasterCard® account numbers must start with the number 5
• First four digits of the account number must be the same digits as those printed directly below (pre-printed BIN)
• 16-digit account number must be clear and uniform in size and spacing and must appear on one line
• Must include valid expiration date
• Must include MasterCard® Hologram unless hologram or MasterCard® HoloMag tape appear on card back

Optional

• MasterCard Hologram may be removed from the card front if the hologram or MasterCard® HoloMag tape appears on card back
• "MC" Security Character is no longer permitted on newly issued cards (effective June 1, 2006), but may continue to appear on cards through June 2010
• Card design and MasterCard Brand Mark may be oriented vertically

Back of the MasterCard®

The last four digits of the account number must be printed in reverse italics on the signature panel.  The CVC 2 number is printed in reverse italics to the right of the last four digits of the account number. Instead of the magnetic stripe, you might see the HoloMag™.

Requirements

• Must include signature panel with the word "MasterCard" printed in multicolors at a 45° angle
• Last four digits of the account number must be printed in reverse italics on the signature panel
• CVC 2 number (three-digit validation code) must be printed in reverse italics to the right of the last four digits of the account number
• Magnetic tape must be present and appear smooth and straight with no signs of tampering
• Must include MasterCard® Hologram or HoloMag tape unless hologram appears on card front

Optional

• HoloMag tape may be used in place of the traditional magnetic tape
• MasterCard Hologram may be placed on the card back if not appearing on card front

If you suspect that the MasterCard is fraudulent, call your Voice Authorization Center and tell them you have a Code 10.

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