There are lots of numbers on your credit card. Each part of the number identifies specific information about each card. These numbers identify the credit or debit card type, the credit card issuers or banking institutions, and the cardholder. Each of these numbers has a specific job but the most important is to protect us from fraud. However, the first four digits will help us discover what credit card numbers starts with 6011. These four digits identify the Discover Card. Are there other numbers?
The Discover Card can begin with 6011 and also 644 to 649, and number 65. Hence, the first digit of the Discover Credit Card will always start with a 6. These first four and the next two to four digits are known as the issuer identification number (IIN) or Bank Identification Number (BIN). American Express, Visa Card, Mastercard, and all other credit cards use this numbering system. These numbers are used as the consumer account number for their credit card account. Let’s learn more about the numbers on your credit card that make up the digits of a credit card number.
Numbers On The Credit Card
Here is a quick breakdown of all the numbers on each type of credit card These numbers are the same amount for all credit cards except the American Express Cards. The major credit card network brands are Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. The minor cards Diners Club, Carte Blanche, and JCB card all have a 16-digit number. This is also true for a Debit card number or a bank gift card. The American Express card numbers are the only card with fifteen digits. These numbers make up the Major Industry Identifier, Bank Identification Number, Primary Account Number, and the check digit.
The first four digits may also identify the type of financial product associated with the card. As there are different types of credit card products each has to be easily identified based on international use. For instance, Discover also has 622126-622925 for China UnionPay co-branded cards. This is a joint venture for Discover. Likewise, Visa may have a type of Visa Cards for various issuing banks. This is not an uncommon practice among the credit card network especially since Visa and Mastercard license their brand to multiple banks and credit unions. Here is the breakdown of the following digits: MII, BIN, PAN, and the last digit.
Major Industry Identifier (MII)
Using the Discover credit card type again we will review the role of each part that makes up the 15 to 16-digit numbers on each card. The Major Industry Identifier or MII digit used by all financial institutions in the United States is the first digit on each card. The number six is assigned to the Discover Card. Likewise, the first number three identifies the American Express Network. The first number four identifies Visa Card numbers and the first number five identifies Mastercard cards. Finally, Diner’s Club Card, Carte Blanche Card, and JCB Card also being with the number three.
Bank Identification Number (BIN)
The next two to six digits identify the Issuer identification number. Since Discover is a credit card network whose credit cards are issued by the American financial services company Discover Financial this number will identify this financial institution. Therefore, Discover is one of two credit card networks that issue credit cards. Since Visa and Mastercard are payment networks that license the use of their brand to an issuing bank the next five digits identify the financial institution such as Bank of America. Visa nor Mastercard issue credit cards.
Therefore, these six digits form the Bank Identification Number or BIN number for the card issuer or credit card company. It includes debit card numbers, club cards, and gift cards. Use this Bin Checker tool from BinCodes.com to validate, verify, and check a BIN code.
Primary Account Number (PAN)
The next nine to twelve digits before the last digit identify the cardholder. These numbers are designed to verify that the correct person is being charged for an online or in-person purchase. These digits serve as your account number as well. The last eight digits including the last digit will change when a new card has been requested because the credit or debit card is reported lost or stolen. It is a unique number assigned to the cardholder and will identify the cardholder and the debit or credit card issuer.
The Last Digit
The last digit or check digit is designed to make sure the correct credit card number is supplied by people by using the Luhn algorithm. The Luhn algorithm can detect any errors when a person manually or verbally submits a credit card number for payment. The Luhn checks the number submitted is a valid credit card number. In addition, the Luhn algorithm is also used when other sensitive numbers, such as social security numbers, need to be verified or checked. This concludes the explanation of the numbers on a debit or credit card.
Other Information On Your Credit And Debit Card
To round up the rest of the information on your credit, let’s review the following items that will help you best use your debit card or credit card. The first item is the magnetic strip followed by the Chip, CVV/CID codes, Expiration dates, and the signature box.
Magnetic Stripe
The magnetic stripe on your credit card is a strip of magnetic tape that holds the information on your card. This includes the unique string of numbers that make up your credit card number. It identifies whether you use the Discover Card, Visa, American Express, or MasterCard numbers. It holds the CID and CVV numbers and expiration dates. Finally, it stores the cardholder’s name, address, types of transactions permitted, country code, currency code, PIN, or account restrictions. The information stored on the magnetic stripe depends on the financial institution or retail establishment. However, it is not the best method for preventing fraud at the card reader because of devices used to strip this information off the magnetic stripe.
Chip And Dip
The next item on a credit or debit card could be a Chip. This new technology will eventually replace the magnetic stripe because it is far more secure. The chip technology generates a unique transaction code for credit card transactions, which the issuing bank then verifies. This new technology ensures that the correct card is being used and increases the protection of the cardholder’s information. To activate the chip technology you dip or insert your card into the card reader on the front of the card reader instead of swiping the card on the side of the card reader. You can also tap the front of the card reader to initiate the payment transaction.
What Are CID And CVV Codes?
CID and CVV numbers are the three to four-digit numbers you are required to provide before completing your purchase online. CID stands for a card identification number and is three digits. CVV is a Card Verification Value. The credit card issuer came up with a three-digit number for CID codes and a four-digit number for CVV codes for the merchant to use to prevent fraud.
This number cannot be stored in the merchant’s database once the credit card issuer approves the transaction. It is one additional layer of security to prevent fraudulent purchases. Unfortunately, this coding system cannot completely eliminate fraud. However, it goes a long way to prevent someone from using your credit card number online without these security codes.
Expiration Date
The Expiration Date for a credit card is typically found on the front of the credit but lately, many credit card issuers have moved it to the back of your card. The expiration date is a two-digit month and year. The expires on the last day of the month. The card issuer will send a new card before the expiration date. This new card will need to be activated before you can use it. This additional information is used to validate a purchase. Hence, it is one more piece of information that a fraudster will need to use a stolen credit or debit card number.
Signature Box
Finally, the signature box. A signature on a credit card is the least effective tool for preventing credit card fraud. Most merchants do not review the signature box to validate a credit card against any other form of identification. Chip technology and future biometrics are replacing the signature box. However, sign the back of the card because on the off chance a merchant decides to check it.
Discover Card History
Discover Card was originally issued by the retailer Sears, Roebuck & Co. in 1985. The Discover card was launched nationally in 1986. Discover was also owned by Morgan Stanley but became an independent company in 2007. As a source of credit, it is just as widely accepted as a credit card as American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. It is more similar to American Express than Visa or Mastercard since it offers credit directly to consumers. Consequentially, Discover issues its credit card directly to the consumer whereas Visa and Mastercard issue their credit card via a financial institution.
Hence, there is no Visa credit card or Mastercard per se. They are brands used by credit card issuers. Visa and Mastercard make their money based on transaction volumes. Like American Express, banks, and any Credit Union, Discover lends money directly to consumers. The added incentive of the Discover cash-back rewards program helped distinguish the Discover credit card from other credit card companies. Learn more about the history of the Discover card from Investopedia.
Recap Of Discover What Credit Card Numbers Starts With 6011
All Discover cards will begin with the number 6. This is the Major Industry Identifier or MII digit. The Bank Identification Number or BIN ranges are the next two to six digits of the full credit card number. The next nine to twelve digits represent the Primary Account number or the PAN and identify the cardholder on the credit card account.
The last digit is the card verification value. It is part of the test environment that confirms the correct credit number was transcribed correctly. All of this information is stored on the magnetic stripe or in the chip inserted on the front of your card. To safeguard your credit card information or credit score here are some tips to follow:
Tips To Protect Your Credit Card Information
1. Never share your credit card information with strangers over the phone or via text.
2. When making online purchases make sure to use secure websites with https:// before the website link.
3. Protect your chip cards with an anti-theft RFID wallet or sleeve.
4. Freeze your debit or credit cards with your credit card issuer if you do not plan to use them.
5. Look out for phishing emails. Click on the email address to make sure it says Discover.com and not Discover.myfraud123.com
6. Look out for skimming devices placed over card readers at gas stations and retail stores.
7. Do not use your credit cards while on public WIFI.
8. Do not store credit card information on websites.
9. Shred all documents with your credit card information.
10. Set up alerts with your credit card issuers for credit card not present transactions.
11. Use credit apps to monitor your credit activity.
12. Check your credit card statements.
13. Do not share your credit card information with unauthorized users
14. Watch for small transactions on your credit card statement. Scammers use this practice to test credit card numbers.
15. Shred any preapproved credit card offers.
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7 ESV
Additional Reading…
Easy Answer: What Credit Card Starts with 4147?
What Credit Card Starts With 4400