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Address Verification Service

Address verification service (AVS) is an automated fraud prevention service designed to reduce the risk associated with card-not-present transactions.  

AVS helps to minimize fraud by verifying the cardholder's billing address with the card issuer.  The merchant must initaite the AVS check by providing the proper data in each transaction. Verification results help the merchant decide whether to accept a particular order or take follow-up action.  

How to Use AVS 

Address Verification is transparent to your customer and applies to payments using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Cards.  To use AVS you should: 

  • Ask the customer for the billing address as it appears on their monthly statement 
  • Submit the required alpha/numeric portions of the address with the authorization request 
  • Research all AVS partial matches 
  • Evaluate AVS no match responses 

AVS is one way to remedy many "Unauthorized Use" and "Non-Receipt of Merchandise" chargebacks.  Without a positive AVS response, CNP merchants have no dispute rights.  AVS is not foolproof and should be combined with your internal and external fraud detection tools. 

Fore more detailed information on address verification service download our eBook.