Address Verification
Many merchants have automated rules to accept, reject, or review orders based on AVS (Address Verification Service) results. AVS is built-into the payment authorization process. AVS only checks the numeric data in a street address and the postal code on the order and compares this with the information on the record at the cardholder’s bank.

Card Verification Number
The card verification number is the three or four digit code printed (not embossed) on the back of most credit cards and on some cases in the front of the card. Validation based on this number is available at the time of payment authorization to confirm the purchaser is in possession of the card. While also not full proof, requesting CVN goes a step beyond AVS in screening for fraud (with the trade-off being an extra step in the check-out/payment process which may impact sales conversion).

Issuer Authentication (VbV,
SecureCode)
There is an increase in the use of new payer authentication programs offered by Card Associations. These programs require a credit card user to enter a password during the checkout process to authenticate the transaction (making it more difficult for lost or stolen cards to be used for online purchases).