Like many people, I buy things online. Unlike many people, I’m a bit of a privacy freak. I only use anonymous prepaid debit cards, and I don’t give out my real name, address, birthdate, or other personal information. If I’m buying something that needs to be shipped, I use a mail drop, not my home address.
Of course, most web sites ask for name, address, and phone number whether or not they need it. Some also check them against the name and address on your credit card using AVS.
Regardless, I avoid giving out my information. I’ve been keeping track of what can be ignored, what can be faked, and what has to be real on many ecommerce web sites I’ve used.
Of course, this is only useful when they don’t actually need your info. If you’re having something shipped to you, or you’re giving an address for legal purposes, you’ll obviously need to use a real address. For services that don’t need your address, though, or only need a billing address, this is fair game.
Note: I don’t discuss email addresses. If you don’t want to give out your real email address, but need an email address that you can receive email and reply from to “verify” it, consider Mailinator, plus addressing in GMail, or a vanity domain.
Also note: When I say dashes for everything else, you’ll sometimes need to put in an ok-looking zip code and/or phone number. 00000 and 000-000-0000 will almost always work.
Here’s the list. Feel free to add to it!
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1800Flowers: zip code must match card, two letters separated by a space for cardholder name; dashes for everything else
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AllDomains: pick a US state; dashes for everything else
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Barnes & Noble: valid city, state, and zip; dashes for everything else
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Best Buy: very picky! valid city, state, zip and roughly valid address; name can be dashes
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Circuit City: 00000 for zip code, 000-000-0000 for phone; dashes for everything else
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Delta Airlines: address, city, state, and zip that match your credit card, since Delta uses AVS; phone number with valid area code and exchange (e.g. 650-900-0000)
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DigitalRiver: matching state and zip (e.g. CA/90000), phone number with valid area code and exchange (e.g. 650-900-0000); dashes for everything else
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EBay/PayPal: matching city, state, and zip (e.g. Los Angeles, CA, 90001), one letter each for first and last name (e.g. A B), phone number with valid area code and exchange (e.g. 650-900-0000); dashes for everything else
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Fandango: 00000 for zip code; dashes for everything else
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Gametap: pick a state, 00000 for zip code, one letter each for first and last name (e.g. A B); dashes for everything else
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Google Checkout: pick a state, 00000 for zip code, 000-000-0000 for phone; dashes for everything else
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Heavenly at Lake Tahoe: valid email, dashes for everything else, including cardholder name
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iTunes: real city/state/zip, 000-000-0000 for phone; dashes for everything else
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InCorp Services, Inc.: 00000 for zip code, dashes for everything else
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JCWhitney: pick a state, 00000 for zip code, 000-000-0000 for phone, one letter each for first and last name (e.g. A B); dashes for everything else
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Kagi: dashes for everything, including cardholder name!
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KQED: dashes for everything!
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Kohls: real city/state/zip, 000-000-0000 for phone; dashes for everything else
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LA Philharmonic: two dashes each for first and last name, five for street address, four for zip code, three for city and phone number, and “– –” for cardholder name.
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Netflix: currently rejects all of my prepaid credit cards! :(
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Orbitz: 00000 for zip code, phone number with valid area code, dashes for everything else. orbitz does strict address checking against your credit card’s billing address, though!
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ReserveAmerica: valid email, one letter each for first and last name, phone number with valid area code (e.g. 650-000-0000), 00000 for zip code, dashes for everything else, including cardholder name
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SWREG: pick a state, 00000 for zip code; dashes for everything else
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Any Safepay/DirectOne merchant: pick a state, dashes for everything else
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San Francisco Symphony: valid zip code, 000-000-0000 for phone; dashes for everything else
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Simon: 00000 for zip code, 000-000-0000 for phone; dashes for everything else
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Southwest: 00000 for zip code, 000-000-0000 for phone, one letter for first name, two letters for last name (e.g. A Bc), one letter each for cardholder address line 1 and city (e.g. D, E); dashes for everything else
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Steam: 00000 for zip code, 000-000-0000 for phone, pick a state, two letters each for first and last name (e.g. Ab Cd); dashes for everything else
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TicketWeb: dashes for everything
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United Airlines: two letters each for first and last name (e.g. Ab Cd), three letters for address, any state, 00000 for zip code; dashes for everything else
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Vonage: dashes for everything
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Winerz: 000-000-0000 for phone #(s), 00000 for zip code(s), dashes for everything else
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WalMart: valid city/zip/state, one letter each for first and last name (e.g. A B), valid area code for phone number (e.g. 650-000-000); dashes for everything else
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TerraPass: spaces for cardholder first and last name; any billing address
That would be pretty sad if someone did this for a registered agent, and they forwarded a service of process (which was delayed because the idiot put in a wrong Zip code) – then lost everything they owned in a judgment.
I’ve seen this happen before because a client moved and didn’t provide a forwarding address. Lost a really nice house in Malibu, some 4×4’s, a small boat. It is conceivable that someone could have the same situation by giving a bogus address, or putting 00000 in the zip code.
Most companies do periodically update their zip information (a few change every few months), but if someone puts in a wrong address for a registered agent, that would be like giving the lottery a bogus address.
Even for a billing address – for example – in Florida if you’re one day late with your annual report – its something like $500. Also, it is notable that a LOT of companies use intelligent address correction.
It seems everyone here has the same issue. What concerns me why isn’t anything been done.? Just to keep posting on here seems a waste of time because everyone has the same issue and nothing is being done. We all know by now that the phone number 000-000-0000 is a bunch of bull. What l did and is the best thing. I programmed my caller ID with a prerecorded messaged telling them to kiss off. I read one time in a consumer book someone put out it said do this if you want telemarketers to stop calling. What they suggested is the following. (This only works if there is someone on the line). When these people start giving you their pitch say to them the following and l guarantee you they will not call back. ASK THEM WHAT COLOR UNDERWEAR THEY ARE WEARING. It is as simple as that. I have had a 95% hang up rate and no more return calls. It may sound crazy but it works think about it. It will work.
in answer to rusky…
you want to receive the telemarketing calls.
when you get one, interrupt them and POLITELY but FIRMLY insist that they remove you from their calling list. they may try to rebuttal (their boss probably makes them do it), and again interrupt them and ask them politely but more firmly that time to remove you from ALL of their calling lists and all other lists, including mail.
by law, they have to comply, or they face hefty fines.
speaking of experience, sometimes you may get some young arrogant new-on-the-job asshole who will try to make your life difficult or schedule a callback (this is why you want to politely insist, not be an asshole first). so protect against those, you may want to ask them to repeat, at the very beginning of the call, what company they represent and what company/call center they work for. ask them to wait a moment while you write it down(dont ask for their name- you’ll get a hang-up and a rescheduled call), say “thank you, now would you go ahead and take me off your calling list and all other lists you may have”.
you can also write to the DMA (direct marketing association) the-dma.org and most large companies will take you off their lists and stop mailing you and reselling your coordinates.
Ok, now…correct me if I’m wrong. Isn’t the whole point of filling out an application whether it be for a credit card, or a flower delivery service supposed to be accurate?
Sure, you can fake pretty much any kind of personal data you want, but if you really want the thing you’re applying for…why bother?
I can see how with some offerings online (like MySp@c3 related stuff) you just want the content and don’t want to offer up any actual information…but if I’m applying for a home loan then I think having accurate information (including email address) is important.
You use a mail drop instead of your home address? What’s a mail drop? I dont want to give my address where I don’t need to either but I’ve not heard of a mail drop… could you explain? is this like a PO box?
I used to be a homeless rodeo clown but now I am a world class magician !
anyone have a neteller card you can load them upwith prepaid things like UKASH and have an extra program which makes up a one time credit card number for you so when you are finished it can´t be traced back to you.
What does an SSS number look like? how many numbers letters etc.
Maybe that should be SSN?
what a waste of time & energy
SSN should look like this: 000-00-0000.
How to trace the correct billing address of a credit card? Or is there a way to trace it if they give an address where in that is mismatch in AVS?
Sup
this guy is an idiot… probably a lefty obama nuzzler…
favorited this.
via twitter.com
prip.me?
Don’t know why there are so many critics (of this post) out there – actually companies shouldn’t ask for more information that they really require for the provision of their services. So I think this is quite helpful. By the way I don’t know If you’re still following this ..as the post is quite old…but I’ll still ask – is the above information valid for the Google Wallet (aka checkout) or some AVS etc. are applied now?
thanks! you’re right, it is an old post, and I don’t really try to keep it updated, so many sites’ details (including Google Wallet) may have changed since I first added them here.
Uhh i didn’t get that.
How do i find the address to a credit card?
HOW DO I FIND A ADDRESS TO A CREDIT CARD
I recently took an IQ test and used ‘……………..’ as my address and used another zip code 16343 but used my real name, is there anyway that the IQ test billing will get to me since I really don’t want the bill and don’t want my parents to see that I took the test. Is there anyway that it would not get to me? This is really important!
stop being paranoid
look here is all my private information…nothing bad will happen…ever ever ever. the interweb is safe nowadays…this isnt the 90’s
allendemontrey@yahoo.co.uk
alan mowbray
14/3
Yeaman Place
Edinburgh
EH11 1BX
+447470304070
07470304070
01312617861
Obviously somebody else’s details. If you did use your real details for everything, as you say you do, then why is Alan/Allen spelt differently, your surname is different in the email address and, let’s be honest, “This isn’t the 90’s”………..That’s true. It’s an astronomically high number of how much more dangerous it is these days for identifiable information on the internet.
tsk tsk Kids these days!!
which cards bypass avs check?
I only need the first 6 digits of card number!
How do I find a zip associated with a card
I need my zip coad
Moe why only the first 6? I got a ton of those
hw wuld i find a card holder and card id
good
I understand that their IS a valid Question as to how to find the correct address to a CC. And Nobody On this Site can answer, Try the Rescator forums.
I tried this method for Walmart and it didn’t work. The dashes ex. —– didn’t work at all. Am I doing something wrong?
This page is absolutely retarded or out of date and all you can do with the first 6 of a credit card is know what bank issued the credit it’s tied to a whole bank not an individual Jesus christ
And almost all information address but Mainly phone number is crucial for credit card payments omg go on the dark web spend 2 dollars buy a current guide and learn something
First of all “can’t believe these people”, it really isn’t necessary to use the Lords name in vein! K!
Secondly, there really are situations where this info is very useful….for instance….my number is unlisted and I really don’t want anymore telemarketing calls than I already receive! Today I was filling out an app for “pre-approved” mortgage quotes. I did give most of my correct information, however I know that if I post my real phone number I WILL BE INUNDATED WITH OFFERS FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT! They of course do not give you the option to leave the phone number blank!!!! So these suggestions may be very useful for me!! I did use my correct name and address, so they are free to contact me by mail! I really hate a ringing phone, especially when it’s someone I don’t know and really don’t want to talk to!
Two days ago I got a call. The caller ID simply said “Allentown PA”. Now I had been getting many calls with that ID, when I had answered they said they were selling insurance. I had replied”please remove my number from your calling list, I’m not interested!”. They kept calling even several weeks later, so I blocked their number! Then the following week I got the call that I mentioned in the beginning of this paragraph. First time I picked up nobody was there (I’ve been told that marketers do this to see if anyone answers so they know if you are at home!). Anyway I hang up and almost immediately the phone rings again with the same caller ID. Needless to say I was fairly annoyed! So when I picked up the phone said hello and a man responded, I said “PLEASE, TAKE MY NUMBER OFF OF YOUR CALLER LIST” (Usually at that point the caller says OK and hangs up! NOT THIS GUY) He replies,”Do you even know who I am, or what I’m calling for?”. I said no not for sure probably to sell insurance, you guys have been calling me for weeks! I’ve asked you to stop, you didn’t, I’ve even tried blocking your number and you still call!” He says, “Ha Ha, you know you REALLY SHOULDN’T TELL PEOPLE TO PUT YOU ON THE NO CALL LIST UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHAT THEIR CALLING ABOUT, you know we aren’t the ONLY company operating out of Allentown!!!”. He continues, “IF YOU REMEMBER, you filled out an application to get a 6% rate last week on the web!”. I said, ” NO I DID NOT!!! (This was prior to me filling out the mortgage loan quote application, as a rule I had never done anything remotely close to putting anything personal like that on the world wide web!) Then he says, “Well you HAD TO because I have all of your information! And there is NO REASON FOR YOU TO GET SNITTY ABOUT IT!!” At that point he finally hung up!
I really don’t know how these people keep getting my info because I DON’T give my phone number out unless it’s absolutely necessary, and as I said in the beginning my land line is unlisted!! Now I grant you I get less than 1/4 the telemarketing calls that my mother gets but her number IS listed.
Anyway, my whole point was I appreciate that the writer of this article took the time to do the research and post the information for us all to see. Even if some of it is out of date! Maybe, if he still monitors this site, he can do an update???
Thanks for the info!