Address Verification Service

A key part of Visa’s multi-layered approach to security is the Address Verification Service (AVS).

This tool helps validate Visa transactions that occur online, over the phone or through mail order. AVS verifies a cardholder's billing address information in real time and provides you with a results code that's separate from the authorization response code. This, in turn, allows you to make an informed transaction "risk-assessment" decision on whether to continue with the transaction.

• AVS helps ensure that the purchaser is the same person who receives the Visa card's monthly statement.
• By matching the billing address the Visa card issuer has on file with the address provided by the customer, merchants and card issuers work together to help ensure that lost or stolen Visa cards are not used for Card-Not-Present purchases.
• Unless the correct billing address is provided to the online, mail or telephone merchant during check-out, the transaction will not be completed. This may prevent a fraudulent purchase.