Address Verification Service (AVS)

Card Verification | Fraud Prevention Tips

When you manually enter credit card information, the QuickBooks Desktop POS Merchant Service verifies the cardholder's address by comparing the ZIP Code, and optionally, the street address, city, state, and country you enter with the customer's credit card bank records.

This check is carried out using the Address Verification Service (AVS). Address verification helps merchants avoid credit card fraud and chargebacks for transactions in which the credit card information is manually entered or not physically present at the point of sale.

ZIP Code and Street Address

Only the customers ZIP Code is required to complete the address verification check, but you can include street address, city, state, and country for extra protection. Only the number portion of the street address is used in the verification check, but the credit card dialog allows you to enter additional address details as well.

Handling the AVS Results

The processor returns a message indicating whether the entered information matches that on file at the cardholders bank. The results of the AVS check are for your information only. You can choose to process the credit card payment even if the AVS check indicates a mismatch between the ZIP Code or address you entered and the cardholder's bank address information.

Address Verification Results Guide

You specify how you wish to handle AVS mismatches on the Merchant & Gift Services page in company preferences:

- R Do not allow manual transactions that fail address verification Selecting this option provides a degree of protection against fraud and chargebacks but may also block legitimate transactions. You will not be able to complete a credit card transaction if an AVS mismatch occurs. If you clear this check box, the AVS check results are displayed, but you can still process the transaction at your discretion.

Related Topics

Take payment by credit card

Configure your system for a merchant account