Why is card number truncation important?

• A. It speeds up processing
• B. It reduces the risk of card number exposure to unauthorized individuals
• C. It improves the printing quality of receipts
• D. It ensures compatibility with all payment terminals

Answer: (B)

Reducing the visible portion of a card number protects cardholder data by limiting what unauthorized viewers can see. By masking most of the PAN and only showing a few digits, such as the last four, you greatly reduce the risk that someone looking at a screen, receipt, or clipboard can capture the full number. This practice aligns with data-minimization and security standards, helping to prevent exposure in everyday handling and support compliance efforts. It’s not about speeding processing, improving print quality, or ensuring terminal compatibility—the main benefit is lowering the chance of sensitive data being seen or stolen.