Authorizenet / AVS question.

[Datagg]

Quick question... We use Fraud Screening and protection (maxmind) which is a must have service IMO, yet with that i was wondering for those who use authorizenet would you turn down your AVS settings?... We have been seeing as of late passing fraud reports, yet failed avs from authorizenet. I have read some turn off AVS settings all together while others just trim it down.

Currently we have B, E and N selected. Is this too strict?, What do you guys have yours set at?

Thanks

[Siamese-Dream.Com]

Re: Authorizenet / AVS question.

I really don't know much about authorize.net...

But I do notice a lot of mismatching AVS orders during the holdiay season in particular.

A lot of times people are using their ship to address for bill to, and since they plan on being at a relatives house for the holidays, they have it shipped to THEMSELVES but at mom and dad's address...

I don't know if this helps, but it is just something I observed.

[Datagg]

Re: Authorizenet / AVS question.

Hi Mark... yes we see that allot, yet normally its not an issue. Meaning, if the fraud report shows its good, it passes avs also.. Yet if fraud report shows not, it also fails avs. Pretty typical, yet over the last few weeks, we have seen many show good on one report, yet other shows its not on the other which isn't typical. I guess im just trying to confirm my AVS settings thru authorizenet are the typical settings. I feel kinda odd even asking as we have been doing this for so long now, yet you never know if things were changed or something odd going on.

[SunCam]

Re: Authorizenet / AVS question.

We use Authorize and have B&E selected only and we don't verify zip codes at all. I was a bit nervous about it in the beginning but rejections are almost gone completely. We have used these settings for the past 2-3 years and have had no fraudulent purchases. For me it is better to make the sale even if the customer can't type their own name and address.

We also don't use any other fraud screening.

[Datagg]

Re: Authorizenet / AVS question.

Thanks Bill for your reply..... Just to clarify, not selecting "N" would mean

Street address (No MATCH) - Zip Code (NO MATCH) - Extended ZIP (NO MATCH) They say, The N response code indicates there is no match on both the street address and ZIP code. An N response code is typically a strong indicator of fraud. Sounds like a scary setting to un-check. Still I know there has been some issues, like the one that prompted me to ask here on this very issue. I hope a few more can give there feedback on this also.

[SunCam]

Re: Authorizenet / AVS question.

The N response in our case is almost always a home/office confusion, not a fraud. My point is that it is better to have a small tolerance for fraud rather than zero tolerance because legit customers may walk away from a purchase if they meet with the frustration and strong stigma of being rejected.

Naturally, if fraud is a big problem for your store you will have to be more careful but consider the fact that at gas stations, where stolen credit card usage is rampant, they only ask for the first 5 of the zip code. No name and no address no expiration date and no CCID to purchase a $75 tank of gas. They could cut down on fraud by eliminating "Pay at the Pump" but that would inconvenience the legit customer and drive away business.

Finding the right balance between reducing fraud and driving away business is the challenge.