PAN

Description

The Primary Account Number (PAN) is the full credit card number (13 to 19 digits). The first 6 (or 8) digits are called BIN/IIN. The PAN must not be stored unencrypted and must not be visible to unauthorized personel -> see PCI DSS.

The Primary Account Number (PAN) is printed on the front of a credit card with embossed numbers. The length varies from 13 to 19 digits.

The PAN consists of:

• 6-8 digit Issuer Identification Number (IIN), previous "Bank Identification Number" (BIN)

• up to 12 digits account identifier

• one check digit (called LUHN-digit)

The PAN underlies the PCI DSS rules and must never be stored or processed without encryption.

The different presentations of a PAN:

• Computop Paygate stores the PAN encrypted for internal usage and transaction processing (payment information sent to the acquirer / processor)

• "PAN" or "full PAN", e.g. 4111111111111111, i.e. the full credit card number

• "Masked PAN", e.g.: 411111xxxxxx1111 → also known as Format 6x4, i.e.: the first 6 and the last 4 digits may be printed in clear (this is maximum allowed by PCI DSS)

• "Truncated PAN", e.g. xxxxxxxxxxxx1111→ also known as Format x4, i.e.: only the last 4 digits are displayed in clear view

• or (our PseudoCardNumber) created by Computop Paygate