Credit card No: An integral part of a credit card

Whenever we make payments through a credit card, we are requested to show our Credit Card no. in this lightning fast world we rarely would have paid any attention towards those complex 16 digits that are inscribed on our credit cards. While making payments through net we need those magical 16 digits. We already have an idea on the fact that our bank account number also encrypts some details about our account. Similarly, credit card numbers also serves a purpose. They follow the pattern specified by ISO/IEC 7812, (a body of the International Standard Organization.) and the ANSI Standard X4.13 (American National Standards Institute) is the system followed by most national credit cards.

Going into the anatomy will help us to know the logic behind these numbers. Among the 16 numbers, the first single digit signifies the system number or the Major Industry Identifier. It specifies the type of card you are using. They are denoted by four digits ranging from 0 to 9. Starting with ‘0’, it is for ISO/TC 68 and other industry assignments. The digit ‘1’ is for Airlines, where as, digit ‘2’ represents Airline and other Industry assignments. The digit ‘3’ represents Travel/Entertainment card. Where as, digits 4, 5 and 6 represents Visa, Master card and Discover card respectively. Digit ‘7’ signifies Petroleum, ‘8’ is for telecommunication and other Industry assignments. At last the digit ‘9’ is for National assignments. Next are the bank numbers. It comprises of six digits. It is also known as the ‘Issuer Identification Number’. IIN are the numbers which contain the issuer’s or the bank’s information Then it is the account number, which is also of six digits. Finally, at the end, the sixteenth digit is known as the ‘check digit’. It is a sum calculated using the Luhn algorithm. The algorithm is named after its founder, a scientist from IBM, Hans Peter Luhn (1896-1964). The first six digits well, those were the significant details relating to a credit card no.

While using your credit card no always make it sure that they does not fall in wring hands. Otherwise an unauthorized use of your credit card is likely possible. Threats are even more when you shop online, where you have to show the details of your credit card. Therefore, it becomes necessary to take care of the details. There is solution to this problem. You can shop online using virtual account numbers. Virtual credit card numbers also known as secure online account number. They provide you with a temporary, random credit card number, which is automatically linked to your credit card account, through which you can easily make online payments without worrying about your safety.

So make you decision and get a credit card no for yourself soon. Who knows that you may require it soon to pay off that all important charges, especially when you are not carrying excess cash with you?