What does “Last Four (card)” mean?

"Last four (card)" is the last four digits of a customer's credit or debit card number that is printed on a payment receipt, transaction logs, and POS system. The four digits allow restaurants and other merchants to reference a particular card transaction without having to reveal the entire card number. This is payment security, and at the same time, it enables businesses to authenticate transactions if they want to.

For example, when a customer pays with a card ending in 4821, then the receipt or the POS system might call the payment "Card ending in 4821". It's easier for the customer and the restaurant to verify they have the same transaction when double-checking the receipt, or on refunds or billing questions.

Why are the last four digits significant in POS transactions?

Showing only the last four numbers of a card is a good security measure in payment processing. It hides the confidential financial data, but still offers enough information to follow up and check receipts. In dining establishments, the information is frequently used when customers ask for copies of receipts, challenge charges, or when managers audit daily transaction reports.