What is the zip on a Debit card? Zip code is an address that you provide to the bank. Zip code is a purposeful security feather. You don’t have this five-number security code printed on your card. Zip code is the address where bills are mailed so this is also called “billing zip code”.
What is a zip code
United State postal service use postal code to identify an address, this is called zip code. It consists of a five-digit format launched in 1963. It has information about your billing address. For example
Mr. ABC
1234 palm avenue
Washington DC, UA 93214
In above address 92314 is the zip code of the person.
If a person doesn’t know the zip code it means he does not know the billing address so it identifies that card doesn’t belong to that person. So to avoid any confusion always register your home or business address as a billing address.
Purpose and importance of zip code
Zip code is a security feature that assures the true authorization of a card. It used an AVS service that enables the seller to check the authenticity of the cardholder. credit or debit card issuing bank verifies the billing information upon request, to the seller. If the information doesn’t match then the person is not the owner of the card. Not all countries and all business stores always need this zip code information. But in some cases where signature verification or taking other information is not feasible, zip code is the only way for AVS. This type of condition implies generally petrol pumps or vending machines.
Summary
Zipcode on a credit card represents the mailing address of the owner of the card. It is an additional way to protect the card from fraud or misuse. It is not printed on the card. It consists of five digits.Zip code is the postal or mailing address of the cardholder.
Important security features of a debit card
Different types of security features are used to arrest the chances of fraud or misuse of a card. A variety of security features are used so that if one information is stolen then the other can be used as a tool.
- Chip card
- Address and zip code
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Social security number
- AVS
- CVV2 number
Now we will discuss each one by one
What is AVS
AVS stands for address verification service. It allows the merchant to confirm the address by the card provider To sure that the transaction is being made by the card owner itself. all card issuing authorities don’t rely on address verification. Some countries also don’t provide AVS.
Response codes for AVS
in response to the merchant’s request, the card provider sends a response code. according to this response, the code merchant decides the further process of acceptance or denial of the transaction. some of these codes and their meanings are
| Code | Visa card | Master card |
|---|---|---|
| A | Street address matches, zip not match | street address matches, zip doesn't |
| D | Street address and zip match | Not applicable |
| E | AVS is invalid | not applicable |
| R | System unavailable, retry | System unavailable, retry |
| U | Address information unavailable | Address information unavailable |
| Z | 5 digit zip matches, street address does not | 5 digit zip matches, street address does not |
Chip card
Chip cards are cards used for payment purpose. These cards contain small embedded chips. These cards are also called smart cards or chip cards. These are mostly used at payment terminals and also on ATMs. The technology used in these cards helped in minimizing the crime and fraud rates.
CVV2 number
It is also called card verification code or CSC meaning card security code. It is printed on the backside of the card along with the bank card number. This type of security is used in cases where the transaction is made by internet and the card is not presented to the seller directly. CSC was introduced in united kingdom and it consists of 11 digits.
These cards usually produce their own codes. Some important codes and their names are described in the given table
| codes | meaning |
|---|---|
| CAV | card authentication value |
| CSC | Card security code |
| CVC | Card Validation code |
| CVD | Card Verification data |
| CVV | Card Verification Value |
| SPC | Signature Panel Code |
Summary
If a person doesn’t know the zip code of a card, then his transaction will not be processed. For security purposes, some other information and features are used which include AVS, CVV2, chip, mobile number, date of birth, etc.
How Zipcode on debit cards is assigned
The first digit in the zip code describes a certain group of states in America, second and third digit represents some city in that state or some region. The fourth and fifth digits of zip code demonstrates a group of delivery addresses in that city or region.
Types of Zipcodes
There are four types of zip codes
1-Unique: this zip code is used for a single high-volume address such as government agencies, big companies, universities and similar institutes
2-Post Office Box-only: this zip code is restricted only to those areas where PO box facility is available, such as PO boxes at Virginia
3-Military: this zip code is only used for mailing the United States military
4-Standard: it includes all zip codes excluding the above three.
Some other uses of Zip Codes
Zipcodes are not only used for mailing addresses but there are some other roles they play. E.g.
Delivery purpose
FedEx, United Parcel Service, and DHL use this zip code for delivery purpose
Internet routing nationwide
Zip code information is used in a number of sites as mandatory information. Examples include some dating websites and brick and click websites
Marketing
Zip data is also used for marketing purposes as well. Data linked with this zip code is used for estimations of different factors and strategies for any business.
Summary
Zipcode on any card is not assigned randomly or it’s not any random digit for every card, instead five-digit code veils certain important information which includes state, region and billing address or cardholder. Four different types of zip codes are used in the United States of America. Zipcode is also used for some other purposes along with security reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some frequently asked questions related to the topic are
1-Can zip code be changed?
Zipcodes changed as rural area changes to a suburban area and usually, a time of 12 months is taken to completely adopt the new zip code
2-What if someone forgets the zip code due to a memory lapse?
In case of memory lapse, one should call the number given on the back of the card and request to update the information
3-How zip code can be found from USPS?
TO find the zip code with USPS.com first enter your state, city, and street address. Then you can find out the zip code.
4-Is ZIP code and Postal cod the same?**
Zip code is mailing address or postal address, both terms are used interchangeably.
5-Can I get my zip code from the bank over a phone call?
No, banks don’t reveal sensitive information over the phone as chances of fraud increase in such cases.
6-What is zip+4 code?
Zip+4 code is a more advanced form of zip code. It consists of 9 digits. The additional four digits are placed after placing a hyphen after the first five digits. These four digits are used to specify the location with more accuracy.
Conclusion
What is a zip on a debit card? Zip code is a form of security feature which increases safety of debit or credit card use. If someone has a card and doesn’t know its zip code then that card doesn’t belong to that person.A Number of security features are used by the card provider to ensure safety. These features include AVS (Address verification service), CVV2 also called CSC (Card security code), date of birth, mobile number, etc. CSC is used where the card is not presented manually rather transaction is done over the internet. Chip is a card with a number embossed on it. The Zipcode system was introduced in the United State of America in 1963. In 1983 this five-digit code was upgraded to a nine-digit code for more specification of location or address. This nine-digit code is called Zip+4 code. Numbers in zip code indicate state, city and address locations respectively.