In retail banking, electronic commerce, and payment processing systems, the acronym CVC stands for Card Verification Code. This security feature is functionally equivalent to the Card Verification Value (CVV) or Card Security Code (CSC). It is typically represented as a three-digit code printed flat on the back signature strip of Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit or debit cards, or as a four-digit numeric code printed on the front of American Express cards. The primary purpose of requesting a CVC during financial transactions or remote checkouts is to verify that the person initiating the purchase has physical possession of the card, thereby providing an effective barrier against card-not-present fraud and unauthorized electronic charges.