Is it legal to sell CVV on the internet?
No, it is not legal to sell CVV on the internet. CVV numbers are payment card security codes, and selling them is a federal crime in the United States under laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. Even if the data appears to be from test accounts or old cards, possession and trafficking of CVVs is treated as stolen financial information.
Why is selling CVV illegal?
CVV data is used to authenticate card-not-present transactions, so it is a critical security layer. Selling it enables credit card fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. The law explicitly prohibits the sale of stolen payment card data, including cardholder names, account numbers, expiration dates, and CVVs.
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What laws apply to CVV sales?
Federal prosecutors typically charge CVV sellers under the CFAA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and laws against access device fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1029). Many states also have felony statutes covering identity theft and fraudulent financial transactions. Convictions can carry years in prison and heavy fines.
Selling CVV Online for Money: Is It Safe or a Federal Crime?
What happens to people who sell CVV?
Law enforcement agencies actively monitor dark web forums and undercover operations. Sellers face criminal prosecution, asset seizure, and civil liability from card issuers. Even overseas sellers can be extradited to the US if they target US cardholders.
Are there any legal exceptions?
No legitimate exception exists for selling CVV numbers. Only the card issuer and the cardholder are authorized to have and use the CVV. Selling it, even in aggregate or for research, violates card network rules and federal law.
What should you do instead?
If you are involved in card testing, fraud prevention, or cybersecurity research, do not buy, sell, or handle CVV data without explicit legal authorization. Instead, consult an attorney about compliance with payment card industry (PCI) standards, and work with licensed data or security firms that follow legal data-sharing agreements.