AVS Mismatch: What It Means & How to Fix It

Getting an AVS mismatch error when processing a transaction? You’re not alone. Address Verification System (AVS) mismatches are one of the most common reasons credit card payments fail—especially in high-risk industries like supplements, CBD, and online smoke shops. This article breaks down what it is, why it happens, and how to fix it.

What Is AVS?

AVS stands for Address Verification System. It’s a fraud-prevention tool used by banks and payment processors to confirm that the billing address a customer enters matches the one on file with their credit card issuer.

AVS primarily checks:

• Numerical portion of the billing street address
• ZIP code (5-digit or 9-digit)

Why Does an AVS Mismatch Occur?

An AVS mismatch happens when the entered billing address doesn’t match the information stored by the issuing bank. This can be caused by:

• Typos or formatting errors (e.g., “123 Main Street” vs. “123 Main St.”)
• Using a different billing address than what’s on file
• Outdated billing address on the cardholder’s bank account
• Technical issues during checkout (especially on mobile)

Do AVS Mismatches Cause Declines?

Yes. Depending on your merchant account settings, a failed AVS check may result in the transaction being declined automatically—even if the card details are otherwise correct. Some gateways allow you to configure which AVS results are accepted or rejected.

How AVS Helps Prevent Chargebacks

One of AVS’s main purposes is fraud prevention. By ensuring the billing address matches the cardholder’s actual address, AVS helps verify the buyer’s identity. This is especially important in card-not-present (CNP) environments where chargebacks are more likely.

In many cases, AVS match results are used as evidence during chargeback disputes, making them a valuable layer of protection.

How to Fix an AVS Mismatch

• Double-check the billing address entered at checkout.
• Ensure the cardholder’s bank has their current address on file.
• Test with a small transaction to see which AVS settings trigger a decline.
• Ask your processor to loosen AVS rejection rules (if too strict).
• If you’re using a third-party gateway like Authorize.net, update your fraud settings.

AVS in High-Risk Payment Processing

If you’re in a high-risk industry—like kratom, delta-8, or nootropics—AVS becomes even more important. Banks use it to mitigate fraud and flag suspicious orders. But too-strict AVS rules can also cause good orders to get declined.

That’s why it’s important to work with a high-risk processor like High Wire Payments. We help you balance fraud prevention with conversion rate optimization. You’ll get:

• Custom AVS and CVV settings tailored to your niche
• Chargeback protection and alerts
• Expert support to optimize fraud filters

Want to prevent AVS issues without hurting sales? Reach out to Leah Walczuk at High Wire Payments today for help dialing in your fraud settings.