Cardholder verification

Cardholder verification is an important tool in the prevention of fraud. Transactions over a specific dollar amount require cardholder verification.  This means your customer must provide proof that they are the valid cardholder by performing one of the cardholder verification methods (CVM) below.  The terminal will prompt your customer (or you) for the appropriate CVM.  

Cardholder verification methods (CVM)

When verification is required, follow these general guidelines:

• For a transaction where a card is swiped, the cardholder signs the merchant copy of the receipt;

• For a transaction where a card is inserted, the cardholder enters their PIN on the terminal (or on the external PINpad if applicable).  In some cases, the cardholder may need to sign the merchant copy of the receipt.

• For a transaction where a card is tapped, the cardholder signs the merchant copy of the receipt.

• For a transaction where a mobile device is tapped, the cardholder enters their passcode on their mobile device.  If the cardholder has already entered their passcode, they will not be prompted again during the transaction.

Cardholder verification limit

This is the maximum dollar amount for performing a credit transaction without cardholder verification.  This limit applies to contactless transactions and to swiped Discover card transactions.

• To determine the cardholder verification limit for a card, print a Configuration Report.  Look near the end of the report for the CVM LIMITS section, then look under each card type for the DOMESTIC CVM LIMIT.

• If the final transaction amount is greater than the limit specified (in the case of Visa, equal to or greater than) then the cardholder must perform one of the cardholder verification methods outlined above.

• This limit does not apply to: