How Do They Figure out Your Credit Card Number?
Contributed by Boo Roberts
What is a credit card number?
A credit card number is the number on the front of your card that is sixteen digits long. This credit card number is the number that will enable you to buy just about anything within your credit card limit. When you order something over the telephone, the customer service representative will ask for your credit card number. When you order something online, the screen will prompt you for your credit card number.
If you use your credit card in a store and it doesn't go through the swipey thing, the cashier may need to input your number manually (which always adds a good five minutes onto your checkout time, since the silver is usually worn off the numbers and no one can see to read it, and everyone forgets that the numbers are usually right on the back of the card, so the cashier ends up trying to see the numbers on the front and holding it this way and that).
Why is my credit card number so important?
My credit card number is so important because it is my key to the city, if you will. My key to luxury and convenience and easy street. No, wait, it is really just important because it tells the bank which account to charge when something is bought. That would be mine. Who knows how the powers that be come up with the numerical sequence for credit cards. Perhaps it is random. Perhaps it is based on some odd combination of birthdays, lucky numbers, and years.
