Well, the billing address is used to check against the info that the CC company has about that card in their database. Else, without any other info other than CC number and CCV and name on the card, then it is too easy for fraud.
Let me give you an incident from personal experience. When I retired and went globe trotting, I had my mail forwarded to my attorney. Good old USPS informed my credit card company about the mail forwarding. My transactions overseas were refused left and right. Even voice calls to CC security did not get my purchases authorised, even though I answered every question about my account, except they neglected to ask for my listed address!
It wasn't till I logged on and checked my account details did I find out what happened. They had my attorney's address listed as my billing address. So, no match with the data I entered during Internet purchase. Definite "fraud"!
Another time, same CC company, years later, some computer glitch had them changing my address to some place spurious. Same end result. "Fraud"!
Try entering a typo of your address or phone number on your next internet purchase. It will get flagged and you'll get a call from the vendor (if the given phone number was incorrect, you'll get an email).
As to whether the numbers somehow indicate what country it was issued in, I can't say. All I know is I am still using the same US issued CCs with the same numbers as when I was in US. No changes, other than a more permanent overseas address. None of my US CC companies cared that I'm now overseas, so long as I pay my monthly bills. No problem with using ATMs from wherever either, just had to call and asked for a note to be placed on my account that I'm *permanently* globe trotting.
As to being able to use paypal to get around US centric problems. A gray area. I funded my paypal account with a very large amount! Did not change my address or US phone number. So hey, Astak, get that paypal payment going, here's a yank trying to do a transaction, from your neck of the woods.
Sorry about the thread going off on a tangent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jusmee
I am confused (again  ) How does a credit card's billing address enter into it. Only the bank need's to know that. The online credit card transaction does not use an address in order to be approved, just the card details, and the little security number from the back.
When you are downloading your purchase, an address isn't even required for delivery. So, an online store like this NEVER needs and address from you. |