I want to reserve a hotel in Athens and, as usual, they are requesting my credit card number to secure the reservation but not only do they want the Visa number they also want the CVC number on the back of the card. I have never had a hotel request that number when securing a reservation that requires no advance deposit. I am hesitant to provide the CVC number especially in an e-mail. Has anyone ever encountered such a request?

Carole

I have had that request, Carole, more lately than not, and actually didn't think much about it. I guess you could call your CC office and ask about it before doing it, or send it in separate e-mails - seems to me the concern is more about internet security than the hotel.

I have, on occasion, sent my cc# in two e-mails.

quote:

Originally posted by LoveItaly:
I want to reserve a hotel in Athens and, as usual, they are requesting my credit card number to secure the reservation but not only do they want the Visa number they also want the CVC number on the back of the card. I have never had a hotel request that number when securing a reservation that requires no advance deposit. I am hesitant to provide the CVC number especially in an e-mail. Has anyone ever encountered such a request?

Carole

Hello Carole,

Yes, the majority of the hotels that I book for clients now require this code in an attempt to prevent fraud.

If the hotel does not have a secure reservation booking system, you can always Fax the hotel or sent them the info in a series of emails.

Have a great day!

Leslie

quote:

If the hotel does not have a secure reservation booking system, you can always Fax the hotel or sent them the info in a series of emails.

Or call them, which is what I did for the two hotels I reserved for my October trip. Quick and easier than fax, and no more expensive, I think.

Note that what we are saying here is not only that we wouldn't e-mail the CVC, but also that we would not send the credit-card number unless on a secure website.

LoveItaly,

I have sent my CC information numerous times in a series of three emails. We are talking close to twenty times. It works for me.

The other thing I have done that I have yet to see mentioned on Slow Talk is use my computer to FAX information over the phone line. This may be common knowledge to some, but it was an "oh wow!" moment for me a few years ago.

Regards,

Foot Notes

I have always sent my credit card number in a single e-mail and, fortunately, have never had a problem but in this situation I think I'll send the card number in one e-mail and the CVC number in another. What concerns me the most is the hotel having all that information and me not knowing how securely it's being kept.

Carole

Carol,
could you send cc number through your email and the cvc number through your husband's email.
If it is not on a secure site, it is not safe.

I have often been asked for the cvc number for purchases online and bookings online.

I will only send it through a secure/locked site or phone it in.

Faxes are not always confidential and sometimes are left lying around where anyone can see them.

One of the credit cards I use frequently has a option of giving me a special 1 time number for use when there is the concern about CC theft. Call your CC company and ask if that feature is available to you.

Bill

Our cc company has been quite good lately with fraud calls, especially from abroad. One day a few months ago, I used the card online to purchase our Trenitalia tickets and we got a call from them because David had been using the same card on a business trip in San Francisco. That alerted them, so I would think you're pretty good to go. Or like Marian says, call the hotel if that makes you feel more secure.

I'd rather not call and possibly have to deal with someone not speaking very good English and not being clearly understood. Also, I don't even know one single word in Greek. Sending the credit card number from my computer and the CVC from my husband's sounds like a good idea.

Carole

The CVC number is just an added piece of security for cards (in that it's three more numbers that the merchant needs to process a transaction).

You'll probably find from now on that it's required more and more to take bookings. The hotel will almost certainly use all the numbers you provide (card number, expiry date and CVC) to process a "hold" transaction, to ensure that the card number is correct and you have a sufficient credit limit for the booking to proceed. The hold on funds drops off after about 5 days.

Merhcants are required to keep CVC numbers secure and not keep records of them (past actually processing the transaction). Of course, it's difficult to know whether they do keep them secure in practice.

In the event that someone does get hold of your card number (with or without CVC) and uses it for fraudulent purposes, then contact your card issuer straight away, get the card cancelled and dispute the charges.

LoveItaly,
as per my experience, in Athens all related to tourist business speak english too.

I would call them.

And split also the credit card number.

We require the security code from the card as a precaution against fraud. It's also to protect you. If you (the generic "you") cannot give it, then that rings an alarm bell that possibly you have stolen the credit card number by cloning or copying the front of the card; hence, you have all the "pertinent" information. If you can produce the security code, then that assures the hotel that you have your card physically in your hands. Now, of course, you could have stolen the card, but it's just one of the ways to help in the prevention of theft and fraud.

Credit card companies and card processing companies have stated this is one of the best ways for a hotel to not only protect themselves, but to protect the card holder against unlawful charges on their card. Most hotels will have no problem with you sending information in two or three separate emails.

Oh, and, of course, the number is necessary for the hotel to enforce its cancellation/no-show policy as well should you cancel late or not show up. Most every card transaction will request the security number in order to process the transaction (along with other information, such as post code, house number, etc., all for verification and everyone's protection).