I like to catalogue shop. At Christmas this is especially important because I pride myself on giving either home-made or well-selected gifts.

Lately some suppliers insist on your giving them your card id number. (This is the 3-digit number on the back of the card tagged onto the end of the account number.)

I don't like to give this out. This is the number I want to reserve for identifying myself to the card issuer should I need some special service. If I put it out over the internet, it's hardly unique and private any more, is it?

So when a supplier wants this number, I email them and tell them either to supply me without the number or that I cancel the order.

Here is one reply I got from a supplier who insisted on the number:

"The card id number is meant to ensure, for the person you’re purchasing from, that you are in physical possession of the card. That is the purpose of the number. The protection it offers you is knowing that no one can purchase things on your account without being physically in possession of your card."

I replied that knowing the number is not proof that I possess the card. It only proves that someone has found the number, either by looking at the card or by copying it from some source such as the internet.

Not good enough. They insist on the number. So I didn't buy the goods. Which ticks me off because it would have been perfect for my granddaughter Becka.

As I said, GRRRR!

Any way round this nonsense?

Use the number... Their response is actual...I have to do it many times at my store, and there is no security risk...

I don't put my credit card number on the internet but I give it on the phone when ordering. At first I was also reluctant about giving this 3-digit number. I do give it now though, but only on phone orders.

I don't think there is any way round this. The number is to prove that you are actually in possession of the card. When buying on the internet, make sure the site is safe. There will be a little 'padlock' on the bottom right hand corner of the screen if it is. I buy loads of things on the net, from famous names like Amazon to smaller, lesser known companies. I had not had any problems as yet.

one wants to be carful with the telephone as well. if you have a cordless and live in a populated place someone else may have a cordless phone as well and if they can change the chanle # they are using they migh be able to here you as you say those credit card #s
(words for thought.)