Merchant Services In USA Can Use Address Verification Services To Confirm Card Data
It’s easy to collect credit and debit card information from customers online. You can establish a
shopping cart and ecommerce site and produce a form that lets customers fill in the proper
information when paying for items while online. Merchant services in the USA can handle
online programs that meet PCI compliance standards for collecting and securing card data.
But someone might try to commit fraud while on your website. A customer might try and steal
someone’s card data and use it to complete transactions under that person’s name. The
customer might have a customer’s card on hand and could submit all those details through a
card-not-present transaction. This includes the cardholder’s name, the card number, and the
CVV number printed on the card’s body.
The threat is significant for all merchant services in the USA, as it can lead to chargebacks.
Falling for fraudulent activities could also hurt your reputation, and you might be liable for
significant charges or fines if you don’t meet PCI compliance rules for securing the data.
One way how merchant services companies can avoid fraud issues for online transactions is by
using an address verification service or AVS. You can utilize an AVS to confirm the customer’s
card data and to ensure the address the customer submits matches up with the address listed
on the credit card. The process works well, although it might take an extra bit of time to
complete a transaction the right way.
Understanding An AVS
An address verification service or AVS entails cross-referencing an address given by the
cardholder with the records the card issuer holds. All four major credit card companies have
separate AVS systems that work independently from one another.
A cardholder may receive an error if the AVS does not find the proper data on the person who
has that said card. The AVS may cite a lack of verification in trying to confirm the card content
and the cardholder’s general data.
An AVS can produce a response code listing the reason why a transaction cannot go forward.
The point can entail:
● Not verifying the street address
● Not confirming the ZIP
● Being unable to confirm the data on a card from a bank outside the United States
● The customer entering in a nine-digit ZIP that doesn’t fit; this is despite the first five
numbers on the ZIP matching
● Failing to get a general response from the bank; this may be a sign the person is trying
to forge a card and get away with buying something with a fictional card
● The card member’s name isn’t linked to the address being provided here
All credit card companies have different terms for these response codes. Check with each card
company to see what codes they utilize and how they can differ surrounding various
transactions.
What About Foreign Cards?
One way how an AVS can work involves when you collect foreign card data. Some fraudsters
might use internationally-issued cards to complete illegal transactions. They can buy cards on a
foreign market and use them to pay for transactions without the original cardholder’s
permission. Standards for protecting cardholder data may be lax in some countries, making
foreign cards tempting for anyone trying to commit fraud.
An AVS system can research information on the bank that a customer’s card is with and then
review the associated database. It takes a little longer to complete the check here, what with
each country having unique standards for storing data.
Sometimes you might need to manually contact the customer’s bank to confirm that person’s
identity. This process takes longer to complete, but it is critical you get proper confirmation on
the card deal. A person might use an internationally-based card to skirt one’s way around fraud
issues in the United States. You could also send a fax message to a bank to request information
on the card and how it works.
Be certain when managing any plan for merchant services in the USA that you have a plan for
using an AVS for managing your data. You can ensure you’ll have an easier time safely
completing transactions while continuing to meet PCI compliance standards. The work is about
keeping all content you’re trying to manage secure and safe.
