Address Verification Service or AVS is a service provided by payment providers that verify the billing information used for transactions with your preset address information. This check is most commonly seen with US vendors or transactions charged in USD.
AVS is one of the many security measures put in place by payment networks and processors. It automatically declines transactions when the system is unable to identify a partial or complete match with the address on file.
Float allows businesses to use their business address across all cards and even supports separate CAD and USD billing addresses to cater to the varied requirements for transactions in each currency. Read more on your billing address with Float HERE!
How do I identify Address Verification declines?
You can view decline reasons by clicking into each transaction record. When a transaction has been declined for an address verification error, the decline will show up as shown in the screenshot below with the decline reason: Address verification error.
How to avoid Address Verification declines?
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Ensure you use the correct address shown next to your card. Your USD and Canadian cards could have different addresses.
The address on your USD cards usually differs from your CAD ones to ensure you get higher acceptance rates when spending in the US.
When spending on USD cards with a Canadian billing address
Some customers may have their USD cards configured to use a Canadian billing address. Unfortunately, merchants assume from time to time that you are located in the US based on your card being issued from a US bank.
If you run into many of these declines and are using a Canadian address on your USD cards, Float can offer you a virtual US address to increase the acceptance rates. Ask your account admin on Float to reach out to support and request a US address.