The Hidden Meaning Behind the First Number on Your Credit Card

Cash is becoming increasingly obsolete and we choose to use our credit or debit card because it is much more comfortable when paying. However, very few of us know what is hidden behind the numbers of the credit card And what does it mean then, far from what we believe, they are not random figures. These numbers hide information related to the bank, for example, but it also gives us more information. He first number of our card It is very important and hardly anyone knows why. We will tell you below what it means that your card starts with certain numbers because it has a very specific reason.

What does the first number on your credit card mean?

When it comes to protecting ourselves against theft or fraud related to our credit card, it is always recommended not to give anyone the security codewhich are the three figures that usually appear on the back of the card and are also known as CVV.

It is also not recommended to give the expiration date of the card, but to all this is added the importance of knowing well the meaning of the numbering of the card especially the first number of all.

The numbers on the credit card

You should know that any card usually has about 16 numbers, although in reality, they can have between 10 and 19 with a structure that is usually: ABBB BBCC CCCC CCCD.

Thus, the first number of all, which would be the “A”, is the “identifier of the industry or issuing scheme», explains the Bank of Spain. For example, if it starts with 1 identify that the card has been issued by a airline. Instead, if it begins with 9, the emission from a government is identifiedso that if we see someone carrying a card that begins with 9, we will know that it belongs to state authorities or institutions.

As for the 2 are from aviation companies, 3 identifies with American Express o Diners Club, el 4 is the number that identifies that it has been issued by Visa, 5 is from MasterCard, 6 is from Discover, 7 from oil companies and the 8 has been issued by firms of telecommunications or health.

As for the other numbers, the The following five figures correspond to the issuing bank and then there are nine more figures that correspond to the holder’s individual account. Finally, there is the final digit which is the verification digit.

There is no doubt that there will be few people who know their credit card number by heart, but at least now you know where your card comes from, although generally most of the ones we use “normal” ordinary citizens corresponds to 4, 5 or also 3.