What is a cardholder?

A cardholder is defined as the individual who possesses a payment card, such as a debit or credit card, and is authorized to use it for making transactions. This definition emphasizes the role of the cardholder as the one who directly interacts with the payment card, typically for purchasing goods and services. The cardholder is the entity whose name is embossed or printed on the card and to whom the account associated with that card belongs.

Understanding the importance of the cardholder in the context of payment transactions is crucial, particularly in discussions of security and data protection. Cardholders are focused on ensuring their personal and financial information is secured, which ties into the broader principles of payment card industry standards and security assessments.