Credit card issuers assign a 15- or 16-digit number to each card, But what do those numbers mean? We’ll dive into the details. Credit card numbers have a specific purpose.

Credit card numbers are either 15 or 16 digits, with each digit having its own meaning and purpose. Keeping your credit card number safe can prevent fraudulent purchases and the stress they can cause.

If the card has 15 digits, namely an American Express card in the U.S., start with the second digit for doubling and use the same instructions. 'Guessing' numbers ...

Generally another four-digit number, your PIN is used to identify you and protect against fraud, but it could also be used to withdraw cash from your credit card account at an ATM.

Your credit card has a 16-digit number on the front, plus an expiration date, and another three-digit code on the back. We all know in a vague way that the code on the back (also known as the "CVC ...

Bad credit could mean higher interest rates and annual fees: One of CNBC Select's best credit cards for bad credit, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, has a $35 annual fee; though there are ...

The new features could mean Americans will be carrying fewer physical cards in their wallets, and will make the 16-digit credit or debit card number printed on every card increasingly irrelevant.