How do you read a visa credit card?

Question

How do you read a visa credit card?

Answer 1

Two possible answers to this question.

1. If you mean how the card is read when you purchase an item, then it is done by running it through a machine that reads the encoded information in the black strip on the back of the card. If you purchase something by phone or over the internet, then it is read by you giving the merchant the information contained in the black strip piecemeal.

2. If you mean how do you actually read what information is on the card, then here you go.

The 16 numbers across the front are the card's number. Under that is the expiration date.

There is a 3 digit number on the back called the "security code" or the CVV2 code. Some merchants will ask for this number to ensure that the person giving the card information is in the presence of the card and/or is the true cardholder.  

Answer 2

You don't, a machine does.