How To Identify Credit Card and Debit Card by Number (2024)

In 2021, the Federal Reserve reported that about 84% of adults in the U.S. owned a credit card, and the total number of users is showing an upward trend. According to the Nilson Report, the number of payment cards used worldwide is expected to reach 28 billion by 2027.

Despite the widespread popularity of payment cards, users may not know much about the cards they use on a daily basis—and few people actually know that the numbers stand for something, let alone what that is.

Aiming to shed light on credit and debit card numbers, this article will:

  • Show you how to identify a credit card and debit card by number
  • Break down what the different digits in card numbers mean
  • Explain the purpose of the bank identification number

What Numbers Are on a Credit Card?

How To Identify Credit Card and Debit Card by Number (1)

Source: Starsi

A credit card typically contains the following numbers:

Number
Definition and Where it Is LocatedWhat It Signifies
Card numberThe 15- or 16-digit number at the front or back of the card, with digits arranged in groups of 4.
It contains information about the issuer, account holder, and industry.
Expiration date
The date in the MM/YY format, typically located below the card number and above or next to the cardholder’s name.
It reveals when the card expires and becomes invalid.
Card Verification Value (CVV) or Card Verification Code (CVC)The 3- or 4-digit number on the back of the credit card, below the magnetic strip.
It is an additional security measure that can help verify that the person making the transaction is the card owner.

This specific sequence and location of numbers are the standard worldwide, but there can be some minor exceptions. For example, American Express® cards typically have 15 digits, while Visa®, Mastercard®, and Discover® use a 16-digit format.

Besides these elements, a credit card contains:

  • The cardholder’s name
  • The bank’s logo
  • The payment network’s logo
  • A smart chip
  • A magnetic stripe
  • Your signature
  • A hologram
  • The bank's contact details

The Sequence of the Digits in Credit Card Numbers

The card digits and the card number order are strategically chosen and placed. They reveal crucial information about the card, the cardholder, and the card issuer. Discover what they mean in the table below:

Number
What It IsWhat It Means
The first digitMajor Industry Identifier (MII)
Signifies the credit card network and industry
Digits 1–8The Issuer Identification Number (IIN) or the Bank Identification Number (BIN)
Indicates the financial institution that issued the card
Digits 7-15Account NumberAccount NumberIdentifies the card and account holder
The last digitChecksum/Check Digit
Verifies the legitimacy of the other digits using the Luhn algorithm

Note that not all credit card numbers follow this exact structure. For example, the checksum on a Visa might be digit 13 instead of the last digit.

The Meaning Behind the Bank Identification Number

How To Identify Credit Card and Debit Card by Number (2)

Source: cottonbro studio

The Bank Identification Number (BIN), also known as the Issuer Identification Number, is the first 4–8-digit sequence at the beginning of the card number. As you can see in the table above, the BIN contains the industry identifier and indicates the financial institution that issued the card.

The BIN system was established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its primary purpose is to increase the efficiency and security of payments.

The Bank Identification Number helps merchants evaluate transactions and detect fraudulent or stolen cards. When initiating a transaction, you need to enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV or CVC. The issuer then receives a request to verify the account, the availability of the funds, and the compliance with national law. The BIN gives merchants all they need to validate the information and process the transaction.

All U.S. cards have a BIN. Here are the starting numbers that correspond to the four most common card networks:

  1. American Express—3, particularly 34 or 37
  2. Visa—4
  3. Mastercard®—5
  4. Discover—6

The digits that follow these can indicate the card’s type, level, and the issuing bank’s location.

Do Credit and Debit Card Numbers Differ?

Debit card numbers work on the same principle as their credit card counterparts. The first 4–8 digits represent the BIN, while the remaining ones include the account number and checksum. As with credit cards, the order is subject to change depending on the issuer.

You can’t tell whether a card is associated with a debit or credit account based on numbers alone. Still, you can usually find that out by looking at the card as most of them have a “credit” or “debit” label somewhere on the card.

The Importance of Protecting Your Credit and Debit Card Information

How To Identify Credit Card and Debit Card by Number (3)

Source: CardMapr.nl

Card numbers can fall into the wrong hands and become misused, so protecting your data during transactions is crucial.

According to Security.org, 65% of U.S. citizens were victims of credit card fraud at least once in their lifetime. In 2022, 44% of credit card users had to deal with two or more unauthorized charges, a significantly higher number than the previous year (35%).

Fraudsters use an array of tactics, such as phishing, pagejacking, and skimming, to steal cardholders’ personal information. Technological advancements enable fraudsters to constantly develop new and more intricate techniques.

After acquiring the victim’s financial and personal information, the perpetrators can take advantage of it in multiple ways. They can make fraudulent transactions, withdraw funds, open new accounts, or apply for credit. These actions cause the victim financial loss and affect their creditworthiness, often resulting in long-term consequences.

On the upside, technology has also brought about more robust and accessible security measures that help protect sensitive information—and no solution is as versatile as the virtual card.

How Virtual Cards Help Prevent Card Fraud

How To Identify Credit Card and Debit Card by Number (4)

Source: rupixen.com

A virtual card is one of the best ways to safeguard your financial information when shopping online. It’s an auto-generated, unique 16-digit number with its own security code and expiration date that’s connected to your bank account, debit card, or credit line.

You can use a virtual card to make purchases without exposing your actual card number and other financial information at checkout.

Among many benefits that using virtual cards brings, the most obvious are:

  1. Security and privacy—As it stays hidden, your bank and card information is protected even if a data breach occurs.
  2. Spending restrictions—This feature helps control your spending and keep it within a budget.
  3. Merchant-locking—Some virtual card issuers allow you to tie the card to a specific merchant, which means it can’t be used elsewhere even if a hacker gains access.
  4. Instant card pausing or closing—You can typically pause and close the virtual card instantly without affecting the status of your real card or bank account.

Reinforce the Security of Your Data With Privacy Virtual Cards

Privacy Virtual Cards enable you to shop online and enhance the security of your transactions, fortifying your defense against the ever-present risk of identity theft.

While some banks offer virtual cards to registered account holders, Privacy gives you more freedom as you can request and generate Privacy Cards with your existing account, irrespective of the associated bank. After creating a card, you can lock it to a specific merchant or have it automatically close after a single purchase, minimizing the damage in case of a data breach.

You can set a spending limit on every card or transaction and minimize the risk of getting overcharged. Privacy will automatically deny transactions that go over the designated limit. This can be beneficial for keeping your subscription services under control and ensuring merchants don’t charge you more than you’ve agreed to.

You can also pause and unpause Privacy cards at any time. If you notice any suspicious transactions on your virtual card, you can close it instantly without worrying that it will affect your actual card or bank account. This feature is also convenient for preventing unwanted subscription charges. Once you pause or close the virtual card, Privacy will block all further charge attempts. Note that you still have to reach out to the merchant and cancel the subscription directly.

Privacy is BBB®-accredited, PCI-DSS compliant, and includes various safeguards to protect users’ data.

Stay Safe and in Control With Privacy

Here are some of the notable features Privacy users can enjoy:

  • Browser extension—Auto-fills card information at checkout, allowing you to make private and secure purchases quickly and effortlessly, without having to look for your wallet or memorize virtual card numbers.
  • Privacy mobile app—Lets you create and use your Privacy Cards on the go and notifies you as soon as a transaction occurs, which helps you identify fraudulent purchases in real time.
  • 1Password Integration—Provides a safe space for your passwords and other financial information, letting you manage it from a centralized dashboard.

How To Start Using Privacy

Getting started with Privacy is easy. All you need to do is:

  1. Access the Signup page
  2. Fill out the required KYC information
  3. Connect a funding source (a bank account or a debit card)
  4. Request and create your first Privacy Card

With the base tier, you can generate up to 12 Privacy cards a month, which are free to use for domestic transactions. You can set spending limits, pause, and close the cards. The plan also includes access to the mobile app and browser extension.

If you opt for one of the other two tiers—Pro ($10/month) or Premium ($25/month), you’ll get additional features, such as:

  • More cards per month (up to 36 with Pro and up to 60 with Premium)
  • 1% cashback on eligible purchases, with a limit of $4,500 per month
  • Ability to mask transaction details on your bank statement
  • Priority support
  • Dedicated account management (Premium)

How To Identify Credit Card and Debit Card by Number (2024)

FAQs

How to identify credit card and debit card by number? ›

You can't tell whether a card is associated with a debit or credit account based on numbers alone. Still, you can usually find that out by looking at the card as most of them have a “credit” or “debit” label somewhere on the card.

How to identify credit and debit card? ›

The key difference is that debit cards are linked to a bank account and draw directly from those funds (similar to a check). A credit card, on the other hand, does not draw any money immediately and must be paid back in the future, subject to any interest charges accrued.

What card number is 4111 1111 1111 1111? ›

Windcave eCommerce test details

We recommend using the test card 4111 1111 1111 1111 for Visa, 5431 1111 1111 1111 for MasterCard, 3711 1111 1111 114 for Amex, and 3600 0000 0000 08 for Diners. These can be used with any expiry date, 3 digit (4 digit for Amex) CVC and are suitable only for Windcave test accounts.

How to find cardholder name with card number? ›

You can't. If you don't have access to the card, there is no situation imaginable in which you'll be able to extract that information without the card-holder telling you the same. The owner's name is printed clearly on the front of the card, usually at the bottom left under the account number.

Can you identify a bank from the card number? ›

If you spot a 4 or 5 as the first digit of a card number, for instance, it means the issuer does business as a bank or another financial institution. The remaining digits in the BIN tell you which institution issued the card.

How to know if it is debit or credit? ›

Debits are recorded on the left side of an accounting journal entry. A credit increases the balance of a liability, equity, gain or revenue account and decreases the balance of an asset, loss or expense account. Credits are recorded on the right side of a journal entry. Increase asset, expense and loss accounts.

Can you identify cards by first 4 digits? ›

This number is called the MII, or major industry identifier, and it specifies the card network and industry. If your card starts with 3, your card uses the American Express network. Visa starts with 4, a Mastercard is 5 and Discover is 6. Other numbers are used to identify the industry.

What are the last 4 digits of card checker? ›

Checksum. The final digit is the checksum. Sometimes called the check digit, it is a way to verify the validity of a credit card using the Luhn algorithm.

What credit card is 6011? ›

6011 – The 6011 prefix is famously linked to Discover cards. This series indicates that the card is part of the Discover network, known for cash back rewards and a user-friendly approach to credit management.

How to decode credit card numbers? ›

Other credit card components
  1. Most credit cards have 15 or 16 digits displayed across the front, depending on the issuer.
  2. The first 6 digits indicate the issuer number, the next five refer to the specific issuing bank, and the final six equal the user's account number.

How to find the owner of a debit card number? ›

You can find the name at the bottom of your debit card. If you can't find it,then simply swipe your card at any atm machine, then card holder name should be displayed on screen with welcome “NAME OF CARD HOLDER”.

How do I find out the name on a debit card? ›

The cardholder name is the name on your debit card, typically located on the front. The cardholder name identifies the person who owns and is authorized to use the bank card.

How do you detect credit card type based on number? ›

The first numbers of the credit card can be used to approximate the vendor:
  1. Visa: 49,44 or 47.
  2. Visa electron: 42, 45, 48, 49.
  3. MasterCard: 51.
  4. Amex:34.
  5. Diners: 30, 36, 38.
  6. JCB: 35.
Sep 16, 2008

How to tell credit card type by first 4 digits online? ›

The first 4 digits of a credit card number indicate the network or industry that the card is affiliated with, as well as the company that issued it. For example, a credit card starting with “4147” is likely a Capital One Visa card, whereas a “5593” is probably a Barclays Mastercard.

How do I identify my debit card? ›

Generally, the debit card number is embossed on the debit card in four groups of four digits that help uniquely identify a specific debit card. The debit card number is a unique identifier linked to a specific account number. You can use your card number, CVV, and pin to process a transaction without a physical card.

What numbers do debit cards start with? ›

The first six digits, called the Bank Identification Number (BIN), provide clues. For instance, Visa card numbers start with 4, Mastercards with 5, and American Express with 3. The rest of the digits are calculated using an algorithm and are tied to your bank account.

References

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