Is it still possible to do online shopping without a CVV code

Online shopping without a CVV code is still possible in the middle of the 2020s. But in that case, you should pay attention to your safety. Sometimes, online stores that don't require CVV can be phishing and scamming sites that can steal your other personal data. Today, Howly experts describe the purpose of CVV code, why it’s crucial both for you and businesses, and how not to get scammed with websites that don't require CVV.

What is the CVV code?

Card Verification Value is used to verify your ownership of this card. It’s easy to uncover the card number. People often leave it voluntarily on social media. Hackers don’t see a problem to find an expiring date with data breaches. But you can know the CVV number only if you are a card owner (or a financial institution that provides this card).

Client verification — the main reason many businesses require you to share the CVV code with their payment service. That’s how they can make sure that you are the card’s owner. It decreases the possibility that hackers can steal money from your account.

Banks said that you can share your CVV only with trusted businesses. But if you share CVV with other people or unverified companies, you do it at your own risk. They can use it to purchase online with your card information.

But what to do if you want to buy something from a business that you don’t fully trust? What to do if you are afraid of someone stealing this code? In this article, we gather websites that don't need CVV and other necessary safety details.

Two main placements of CVV code

Usually, providers place the CVV code on the front under the holder’s name or on the backside of the card. Some cards have three-digit numbers while others have four digits:

• MasterCard (Maestro in Europe), Visa, and Discover card providers use three-digit CVV. You can find it on the back part of the card. Sometimes, the provider calls it CVC.
• American Express has a four-digit code. Usually, they place it on the front part of the card.

Virtual cards also have them. Usually, financial applications emulate the card, so it will be easy to use it. Find the virtual card in the menu and tap on it. You will see the number and its expiring date. You’ll also see a box with three or four stars on it (like “***”). Tap on it to see your CVV. Banks and other financial institutions hide it even in the app to keep your card verification value secure.

Is it safe to give card details?

Yes, in most cases it’s safe. Online shops don’t store CVV in databases. So if even someone hacks their databases, they can’t use your data. But if you still wish to do online shopping with no CVV required, you can find sites that provide both options.

If you are still unsure about safety, go to websites that provide you with third-party solutions like Apple Pay. The seller will see the emulated virtual number, which will be stored in their database. Your original card data will be completely safe.

Where you can shop online with no CVV: most popular options

Where you can buy products without CVV

It’s difficult to find sites that don’t need CVV, but it is still possible. You just need to find a merchant who uses two options: with and without confirmation. Sellers don’t provide additional confirmation when they use some third-party solutions that do this job for them. Here are the most popular shops websites that don't ask for CVV:

• Walmart;
• Amazon;
• Staples;
• Zalora;
• Lacoste;
• Zappos;
• Lazada;
• Target;
• Best Buy;
• PCNation;
• Cyberguys;
• FrontierPC;
• Shopbop.

If you are afraid to share your card verification value and looking for websites that don’t need CVV, visit those online shops. Other big shops mostly use card verification.

Buy goods from small businesses, if you don’t want to share your card data. Usually, they are willing to work with any customer. If you ask them to give bank requisites or Venmo, they like to do it. It’s one more way you can shop online without CVV.

You can find small shops on social media. Write them a letter on Direct Messages and ask them to give you possible payment options. They often have plenty of choices to shop without CVV.

How you can get additional security: tips for those who struggle to find no CVV sites

Use those tips if you can’t find the needed product on the above’s websites or in a small shop. They give you an additional security level, so you don’t need to worry that much about the card safety:

• Create a separate card for web shopping. There are only a few sites that don’t require CVV. It would be better to have a backup plan for ordinary web shopping.
• Investigate the merchant. They should be trustworthy. If you are not 100% sure, ask for the cash-on-delivery option. It will save you from possible hacking attacks both on regular online shops and websites that don't need CVV code.
• Use a digital card with dynamic CVV. Before every transaction, you should open the bank app and request a new CVV active only for the next 10-20 minutes. Once time passes, you should go to the app and request a new CVV. So, even if scammers know the CVV printed on the card, they can’t use it to steal money.
• Use a secure connection. If you are using public Wi-Fi, hackers can steal your data. Even from sites that don’t require CVV. So if you need to use a public network, protect yourself with a fine VPN.
• Use only secure websites. They have encryption to safeguard users’ data. Look for the "https" in the URL address and the lock symbol. If it’s just “http” and the lock is open, don’t enter any personal data.
• Don’t get hooked on phishing. Those scams are designed to trick you to share your personal info voluntarily. If you see some strange email or find a new website with an unrealistically profitable offer, ignore them.

How to pay without CVV

As we said before, the easiest way to pay without sharing CVV is to find a site with additional options. If you don’t want to use some third-party solutions (Apple Pay, Klarna, Venmo, etc.) and don’t want to send cash to the merchant, there are almost no options for you.

Merchants need to make sure that you are the owner of the card. That’s why they ask for some verification. So most sites that don’t require CVV usually have a third-party solution that makes you feel safe but still helps them to verify your identity. Use the external solution that will be most comfortable for you.

If you use Apple Pay or Google Pay, try them. They create an online card with dynamic CVV that changes with each transaction. So when you pay with those services, the merchant sees the card number that they have generated for you.

It saves you hours of research. You don’t need to research sites that don't ask for CVV because you can shop online everywhere, and the merchant wouldn’t know your card information.