What You Didnt Know About Your Credit Card Numbers

Have you ever really looked at your credit card and tried to figure out what that huge string of numbers really means? Do these card issuers have so many customers that your account number has to be 16 digits long?

You may be surprised to know that all those numbers you see actually do stand for something, and it's not just who you are. Let's take a look.

Most of the major credit card companies operate on the same system when choosing a credit card number. Other cards like gas cards, department store cards and phone cards go their own way. Let's concentrate on the ones that all play by the same rules.

The very first digit in the series will be a 3,4,5, 0r 6. This number designates the type of card as follows:

3 = a Travel & Entertainment Card like American Express or Diners Club.

4 = Visa and Visa-branded debit cards, cash cards, etc.

5 = MasterCard and MasterCard-branded debit cards, cash cards, etc.

6 = Discover

American Express and Diners Club use the second digit to identify the company. That means that Diners Club cards will start with either "36" or "38", and American Express cards will use either "34" or "37".

The remaining numbers in the series are used for different purposes depending upon the card type and issuer.

In most cases, the next group after the opening series of numbers represents the routing number of the card-issuing bank, the group after that is the user's account number, and the final digit is a check digit. The check digit is a number that is calculated by applying a special formula to all of the other numbers. The check digit is the result of that formula and is used as an anti-fraud check.

To keep things from getting too confusing, look at your card as you follow along for the next steps.

American Express

The American Express Card uses digits three and four for type (business or personal) and the currency of the cardholder's country of origin. The next digits from the fifth through the eleventh are account numbers.

Digits twelve through fourteen indicate the card number within the account and the last digit is the check digit.

Visa

With Visa, digits two through six represent the bank number. Beginning with the seventh digit and running through the twelfth or the fifteenth represents the account number and the last number is the check digit.

Since all Visa cards do not have the same amount of numbers in the sequence, the number of digits in a group may vary.

MasterCard

For MasterCard, the second digit, through to anywhere between the third and the sixth digit is the bank number. All remaining digits, except the check digit at the end of the series, identifies that cardholder's account.

Now that we've gone over it all, you're probably wondering why you were ever wondering in the first place. Just remember though, knowledge is power. Some things are just fun to know.

Ewen Chia is the owner of Free-Credit-Card-Offer.com which provides free credit card information for everyone. Click here to learn more plus receive a free credit card instantly! ==> http://www.Free-Credit-Card-Offer.com

---

Discover the Parts of a Credit Report and What They Mean

So you ordered a copy of your credit report to... Read More

Identity Theft - How to Protect Yourself

"Like the tan? I got tons of sun on that... Read More

Credit Worthiness

Credit Worthiness is an important business and personal asset each... Read More

What Happens When Your Credit Is Damaged? Do You Have Recourse?

The good thing about bad credit is that you can... Read More

Credit Card Companies Are Out for Your Money

You're probably thinking "Tell me something I don't know" but... Read More

Credit Cards For People With Bad Credit Scores

Sometimes life lands you in a situation that causes your... Read More

Warning: Free Credit Report Imposter Websites Springing Up on the Web

A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act... Read More

Useful Tips on Borrowing Money

Here are some useful tips on borrowing money. Borrowing money... Read More

Getting Married? What Are The Finance and Credit Implications?

There is a big difference between looking after your own... Read More

First Major Regulatory and Legislative Victory of 2005 for Creditors and Consumers

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors are not... Read More

Legislators Ponder New Credit Protection Laws

Legislators in Washington, D.C. are considering several credit-related consumer protections... Read More

Preventing Credit Card Mess

Credit card debts problem is extremely common today. It is... Read More

SuperCharged Secret 1 of 5 - Credit Card Utopia

I AM THE CONSUMER. AND I HAVE LOW-RATE SUPER-POWERS!Note: The... Read More

Credit Repair Scam - How To Avoid Being A Statistic?

A good credit history is critically important for the consumer.... Read More

5 Things Your Credit Card Company Keeps Quiet About

Credit Cards can bankrupt you if you let them run... Read More

Credit Repair Scams

"Erase Bad Debt !""Remove Negative Items From Your Credit Report"You've... Read More

Credit Card Benefits and Drawbacks

Credit cards have both benefits and drawbacks. It is wise... Read More

Credit Card Debt: How To Control It

A lot of people spend more money than they can... Read More

The Next Person With Credit Problems Got Their First Credit Card Today!

One of the focus areas of my information is the... Read More

Credit Card Tips

Here are some useful credit card tips for you to... Read More

10 Ways To Boost Your Credit Score

1. Deleting Errors in 48 HoursThis is the absolute fastest... Read More

Credit Counseling Basics

Credit counseling is an option you might want to consider... Read More

How Can A Qualified Mortgage Consultant Help Boost Your Credit Scores?

Consumers interested in purchasing or refinancing a home will pay... Read More

Credit Help for Real Estate Financing: Credit Scores

When you buy real estate, lenders run all of the... Read More

FREE Credit Report Offer - Careful, It Might Carry Hidden Charges

FREE credit checks or free credit reports. What are they... Read More

What Is a FICO Score and How Do I Make It Work for Me?

Whether or not you receive a loan and what interest... Read More

Credit Report And Correction Techniques

The three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Trans Union... Read More

What You Didnt Know About Your Credit Card Numbers

Have you ever really looked at your credit card and... Read More

Credit Score - Reporting Your Financial Health

Credit score is one of the most basic, determining factor... Read More

Good vs. Bad Credit Debt

Do you know the difference between good and bad credit... Read More

Credit Damage: Getting Compensated for Your Loss

Until recently lawyers for victims of credit damage had little... Read More

Credit Cards -- What You Should Know

There are a lot of questions about using credit cards.... Read More

Why Americans Find Predatory Lending Offensive

"Menis - the author translates as "indignant rage" - It... Read More