Re: credit card conventional wisdom (fwd)

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 18:07:25 -0800 From: Tom Wills <twills@eit.COM> To: Simon Spero <ses@tipper.oit.unc.edu> Subject: Re: credit card conventional wisdom (fwd) The printed digits above the embossed account number are the first four digits of the BIN (on Visa cards) or ICA (on MasterCards). They are there to discourage re-embossing of the card with another account number. Original Message:

Wow, you learn something every day. I've never in my whole life (well, my American Express life, over 15 years) noticed those four digits. I've never been asked for them by anyone, or noticed them being written down, either. Exactly when and how are they used?