"NO."


​​​​​​​That's my answer whenever someone at the other end of a phone asks, "May I have the three-digit security code?"

If I'm here, then I'm not there.
My card is here, with me.
Not there.
CNP stands for "Card Not Present."
As in, not present with the merchant trying to run my card.

What is the purpose of a security code, appearing only on the original card, if it must be given out to anyone who asks?
I don't see why this code should ever be given to a human.
Its only legitimate use is online, at a SECURE website, where it is captured but not saved to be read later.

So why does everyone ask for it?
Because no one says no?

Anyone who hears that code over the phone, together with your account number, billing address, and expiration date, has everything they need to go shopping -- or sell it later to a thief.

Why is this practice allowed by the issuers, and how do we stop it?
Defeats the entire purpose of the code.