What Is an AVS Mismatch and How Do I Fix It?
Understand AVS mismatches in online payments and learn how to quickly resolve common billing address verification issues.
An AVS mismatch occurs when a transaction is attempted, particularly in card-not-present scenarios, and the billing address provided by the cardholder does not fully align with the address recorded by their card-issuing bank. This discrepancy often leads to a declined transaction. The Address Verification System (AVS) serves as a security feature, preventing fraudulent purchases. It helps confirm the legitimate cardholder in transactions where the physical card isn’t present.
Understanding Address Verification
The Address Verification System (AVS) is a security tool used by credit card processors and issuing banks to authenticate card ownership during transactions. When a customer enters their billing address for an online purchase, this information is sent to their card’s issuing bank for verification. The bank compares the provided billing address with the one on file for that specific credit or debit card. This comparison typically focuses on the numeric parts of the address, such as the street number and ZIP code.
After comparing the addresses, the issuing bank sends an AVS response code to the merchant, indicating the degree of the match. These codes can signify a full match, a partial match (e.g., street address matches but ZIP code does not), or no match. Merchants then use these codes to decide whether to proceed with or decline the transaction.
AVS helps reduce the risk of unauthorized transactions and potential chargebacks. While it is a widely adopted system for card-not-present transactions, it is not the sole fraud detection method. It works in conjunction with other security checks, such as Card Verification Value (CVV) codes, to enhance the overall security of online payments.
Common Causes of Mismatches
A frequent cause of an AVS mismatch is simple typographical errors made by the customer when entering their billing address during checkout. Even a minor mistake, such as an incorrect street number or a transposed digit in the ZIP code, can prevent a full match. These inaccuracies can result in a partial or no match response from the AVS.
Another common reason involves outdated address information held by the card-issuing bank. If a cardholder has recently moved or changed their address but has not updated this information with their bank, the address provided will not match the bank’s records. An AVS mismatch can also occur if a customer mistakenly enters their shipping address instead of their billing address, as AVS specifically checks the billing address associated with the card.
Bank system issues or delays in updating address records can also contribute to AVS mismatches. Technical glitches on the bank’s side might temporarily prevent accurate address verification. Additionally, differences in international address formatting can cause issues for transactions involving foreign credit cards, as AVS primarily operates in countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Even if the information is correct, inconsistent formatting might lead to a mismatch.
Resolving AVS Mismatches
When an AVS mismatch occurs, a cardholder can take several steps to resolve the issue.
Re-check Billing Address
Carefully re-check the billing address entered during checkout against the exact billing address on file with the card’s issuing bank. This includes verifying spelling, street numbers, apartment or suite numbers, and the ZIP code for any discrepancies. Ensuring the address entered is precisely what the bank has on record is important.
Contact Card-Issuing Bank
If the entered address appears correct, contact the card-issuing bank directly. The bank can confirm the exact billing address they have on file and update it if necessary. This is particularly important if there has been a recent move or a data entry error on the bank’s part, as it helps rectify inaccuracies causing the AVS mismatch.
Consider Alternative Payment
If the issue persists after verifying and updating the address with the bank, consider an alternative payment method. Using a different credit card or another form of payment can bypass the specific AVS issue encountered with the initial card.
Contact Merchant
If attempts to resolve the issue with the bank and by re-entering information fail, contact the merchant or online retailer. They can provide additional assistance or alternative solutions for completing the purchase. A brief waiting period might also be useful if the mismatch appears due to a temporary system issue.