Your actual account number may be up to 12 digits long, and it identifies you as the owner of the credit card account. Credit card numbers are assigned by the financial institution issuing the card.

Most card issuers don't directly offer the ability to generate virtual account numbers, or virtual credit cards, right from your account -- though some do.

Credit cards usually have 15 or 16 account numbers. Each digit conveys identifying information about the credit card, and the assigned numbers must follow the guidelines set by the ISO.

So, credit cards, which generally have between 13 and 16 account numbers, aren't just random.Each digit conveys identifying information about the credit card, and the assigned numbers must follow ...

A credit card account number is a 16-digit string to identify your credit card. Within the string of numbers, there are identifying features that indicate more details about your credit card.

However, your credit card’s account number will not change. » MORE: What To Know When Activating A New Or Replacement Credit Card. Credit card numbers vs debit card numbers .

A credit card number is a long set of digits usually displayed on the front of the credit card. Its goal is to identify both the credit card issuer and the account holder. It also helps prevent fraud.

Two things to remember: First, your credit card number is not random. Second, it is not your account number. If they were the same, the issuer would have to generate a new account number for you ...