The billing address of your credit account is required when paying for products or services online. National and international banks use this billing address to confirm credit card transactions. It ensures only authorised credit card users can make online payments.
Hence, your unique billing address helps protect you from potential identity theft when using credit cards. Now, the real question is, what happens when you include an incorrect credit card billing address? The merchant will cancel the online purchase if you enter the wrong address in the billing address.
An average of 77% of merchants use Address Verification Services (AVS). It is one of the most widely used tools to prevent debit and credit card fraud. AVS allows merchants and banks to block online predators from using customers’ stolen credit card details. Online merchants using AVS mostly cancel the transactions for incorrect billing addresses.
Let’s find what happens when you mistakenly add an incorrect credit card billing address when buying online products:
How to Know You Have Put a Wrong Billing Address in Your Credit Card Transactions?
Merchants usually inform you when you enter an incorrect billing address when paying for the products using a credit card. He will state that the transaction wasn’t successful and request you to change the billing information.
Once you change the credit card billing address, the merchant will confirm your order request. Hence, you can rectify the incorrect billing address anytime. Consider changing the credit card billing address as soon as possible to deliver the product within the estimated time.
Common Causes for Writing Incorrect Billing Addresses in Credit Card Transactions:
There are several reasons why your merchant receives incorrect billing addresses in credit card transactions. Typing the credit card billing address is the most common cause for this mistake.
You may have added additional digits or letters in the billing address. Moreover, a small space in the credit card billing address can cause problems in the credit card transaction. Thus, you must double-check the billing address before paying the merchants online.
Here are the other causes for adding incorrect credit card billing addresses:
1. Auto-Fill Problems
Some websites or apps automatically fill in the credit card details if you have previously purchased any item from there. They save details like your address, mode of payment and credit card billing address. The merchant will only receive the payment if the credit card billing address the site has filled is valid.
Moreover, you will receive a failed translation message on your mobile. So, try to avoid auto-filling these payment details when buying a product from a merchant. Write the billing address correctly when prompted for a successful transaction.
2. Confusion about the Billing Address
Most people confuse the shipping address with the billing address. Thus, they write the incorrect address when sending the money online to the merchant. Besides, some customers add old or inactive addresses to eCommerce sites. So, you must know whether the billing address is active or your bank has deactivated it before the transaction.
3. Online Credit Card Scams
The number of credit card scams is increasing day by day. Over 123 million Americans have witnessed this scam this year. Online predators access the credit card once they gain access to the account details.
So, a hacker may have used your credit card and entered an incorrect billing address for online purchases. Contact your bank authority or card issuer if you receive a “failed transaction” message on your phone. Block the credit card and get a new one to buy products online without security concerns.
How Does a Credit Card Billing Address Look Like?
The address you add in the application when applying for the credit card becomes your billing address after the bank’s approval. Most card users don’t know what a billing address looks like. It looks exactly like a street address.
The credit card billing address contains your street name and the ZIP code city and state name. Moreover, some banks include the apartment you live in with the billing address. Here is how a billing address looks – 123 Main St, San Francisco, CA, 66801.
Can You Change the Billing Information after Making the Online Purchase?
Yes! You can edit the billing details if you notice an error after making the online purchase. Some merchants allow you to change the billing information through email. Thus, you must ask for the email address to send the correct credit card billing address.
However, some merchants let you change the billing details only through fax. Alternatively, you can contact them to rectify the credit card billing information. So, search for their contact number, change the billing address and purchase the product without making further mistakes.
When a Merchant Cancels Your Credit Card Transactions?
Merchants use the credit card billing address as a verification tool to verify their identity when making online purchases. Merchants only review the credit card transitions if the billing details do not match your credit card information.
The merchant will call you in such instances to verify the billing address. He might ask for additional information that proves your identity. Merchants will only cancel the transaction if you present valid billing information or identification proof. The card issuer will charge a fee or report to the leading credit bureaus like Equifax.
How Do Merchants Verify a Credit Card Billing Address?
Different merchants follow different policies to verify payment details. Certain merchants cancel the item purchase if the issue is serious or can’t be rectified. The “Your Order is Cancelled” message will be in the shopping app.
Here are the other ways merchants use to verify a buyer’s credit card billing address:
Address Verification
Some merchants manually confirm the billing address for high-value credit card transitions. They call the buyers if the credit card billing address needs to be corrected. These merchants might also require you to attach your utility bill or government-issued documents for verification.
Automated Tool Usage
Some merchants use automated tools to verify the customers’ billing addresses when accepting orders. The merchant will ask you to provide the correct address if it is invalid or decline the purchase.
How Can You Change the Billing Address of Your Credit Card if It is Showing Invalid to the Merchant?
There are four ways to change the credit card billing address after online purchases. Users can easily access the credit card issuer’s website or app. Log in to the app or website and change the billing address associated with your credit account.
Additionally, you can contact the customer service representatives and request them to change your billing address. Changing the credit card billing address online might be risky. We suggest updating the billing address in your nearest bank branch for additional security. So, choose the best way to change the credit card billing address if the merchant states it is “invalid”.
Where is the Billing Address on Your Credit Card?
Most credit card users look for the answer to “Where is my billing address?” online. The billing address can be easily located on the billing statement. Additionally, you can log in to your bank account to review the billing address linked with your credit card.
Do you have a bank account, including your checking, debit, and credit card? Changing the credit card address won’t change the billing address on your checking account or debit card. Contact the bank authorities if you notice the same billing address on your debit and credit card.
