What is the main use of the Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2)?

The main use of the Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) is to secure online transactions. The CVV2 is a three-digit code found on the back of credit and debit cards, and it serves as a security feature designed to help verify that the person making a transaction possesses the physical card.

When a consumer makes an online purchase, especially in environments where the card is not physically present, asking for the CVV2 provides an additional layer of protection against fraud. It helps ensure that the card being used for the transaction is legitimate and reduces the risk of unauthorized transactions. By requiring this code, merchants can confirm that the individual making the payment is more likely to be the rightful cardholder, as only someone with access to the physical card would have that information.

In contrast, the other options are not related to the primary function of CVV2. Cash advances do not require a CVV2, as they typically happen in person with the card being swiped. Validating merchant accounts involves different procedures related to compliance and verification of business credentials, while managing credit limits pertains to account management between the card issuer and the cardholder, unrelated to transaction security. Thus, the use of CVV2 is firmly linked to securing online transactions