What Is AVS?
AVS (Address Verification Service) is a fraud-risk signal for card-not-present transactions. It compares submitted address information with address information associated with the card account and returns a match result. A match doesn't prove legitimacy; a mismatch doesn't automatically prove fraud.
Direct Answer
AVS (Address Verification Service) is a fraud-risk signal for card-not-present transactions. It compares submitted address information with address information associated with the card account and returns a match result. A match doesn't prove legitimacy; a mismatch doesn't automatically prove fraud.
Direct Answer
AVS (Address Verification Service) is a fraud-risk signal commonly used in card-not-present transactions, such as online payments. When a customer submits a billing address at checkout, AVS compares it with address information associated with the card account and returns a result indicating the degree of match. A match does not prove a transaction is legitimate, and a mismatch does not automatically prove fraud.
How It Works
At checkout the gateway sends the submitted address data to the issuer, which compares it with the address associated with the card account and returns an AVS response. Common results include a full match, a partial match (street or ZIP only), or no match. Merchants can configure their gateway to decline, review, or accept transactions based on these results, often alongside CVV and other checks. AVS availability and exact response codes vary by network and issuer.
Key Points
- AVS is commonly used for card-not-present transactions.
- It compares submitted address information with address information associated with the card account.
- Response results and availability vary by network and issuer.
- A match is a risk signal, not proof of legitimacy; a mismatch is a risk signal, not automatic proof of fraud.
- AVS is most effective combined with CVV and other fraud tools.
What Merchants Should Know
Use AVS as one signal in a layered fraud strategy. A full match lowers risk; a no-match raises it. Do not rely on AVS alone, since stolen card data may include billing addresses and availability varies.
