The Address Verification Service (AVS) is a tool designed by bank card processors to assist in identifying potentially fraudulent credit card transactions. For every credit card authorization, AVS compares the billing address and ZIP code provided by the customer to the address and ZIP code on file at the card issuing bank. AVS then returns a response code indicating the results of the comparison.
To configure the AVS service, follow these steps:
1. Log into your Merchant Interface at https://account.authorize.net.
2. Click on the Accounts link.
3. Click on the Address Verification Service link.
The AVS settings are explained on this web page. You can enable and disable different aspects of Address Verification on this page. Enabling more options reduces the chance of fraud, but increases the chance that legitimate transactions will be declined.
There is no way to change AVS settings for individual transactions. If a transaction is declined due to an address mismatch you have two choices.
1. Contact the customer and get a corrected address.
2. Log on to the web Merchant Interface and disable (or partially disable) AVS, then re-submit the transaction. You’ll probably want to re-enable AVS afterwards, as many banks charge a higher fee for non-AVS transactions.
Unfortunately, for many transactions involving non-US customers option #2 is the only option that will work — if the overseas bank doesn’t support AVS, the transaction will be rejected no matter what address you submit.
Authorize.Net strongly recommends that you employ advanced fraud prevention tools and best practices to achieve a maximum level of protection for your account and your transaction processing. To learn more about account security, please read the Security Best Practices White Paper found at
http://www.authorizenet.com/files/securitybestpractices.pdf