How to check and change a billing address

What is a billing address?

A billing address is the address linked to an individual's bank or credit card account. It's the address usually used when applying for a credit card or other financial account.

A billing address looks just like a physical street address. It includes a street number, street name, city, state, and zip code. If there's an apartment number, that should be included as well.

A billing address is used for correct reporting purposes on the account, along with safely verifying identity during transactions.

The importance of checking billing addresses

While providing a billing address may seem simple, it's a critical piece of information that shouldn't be taken lightly. If it's not correct, the user may miss receiving important financial statements or account notifications. Incorrect billing addresses listed when making a purchase could potentially cause issues with payments processing as well.

Here's more detail on why it matters to check and update a billing address:

• Accurate billing: It's important that documentation is sent to the cardholder's correct location to stay on top of statement transactions and payment due dates.
• Point-of-service fraud prevention: When at a store checkout or gas pump, for example, a merchant usually requires typing in a billing ZIP code for identity confirmation, which adds a layer of protection to the transaction. There's no ZIP code printed on a credit card. So, if someone is committing fraud with a stolen card, that person may have difficulty authorizing the transaction.
• Online fraud prevention: Matching the correct billing address to an account is a main line of defense when shopping with a card online. The address verification system, or AVS, requires that a full billing address be entered at checkout. That address is compared to the address associated with the card on file. If the addresses don't match, the transaction will be declined, offering fraud prevention in case of unauthorized activity.
• Seamless transactions: Having a correct billing address on file reduces the risk of processing errors, as well as delays or problems in receiving goods.

What’s the difference between a billing address and a shipping address?

When buying things online, billing and shipping addresses are entered separately. That's because a billing address is the one linked to the payment method, and the shipping address is where goods should be sent.

For instance, there could be a time when items or gifts need to be sent to an address other than the customer’s own billing or shipping address. In this instance, the recipient's address would need to be typed in as the shipping address.

Or, perhaps the customer is temporarily staying somewhere other than their home address and need items sent directly to them. They would enter their temporary address as the shipping address.

But when it comes to billing vs. shipping addresses, they are often one and the same. If so, there's usually a box to click that auto fills the shipping address so it doesn't have to be typed again.

How to check and change a billing address

Depending on the payment method or provider — which could include a financial institution, mobile bank, or online retailer — the billing address linked to an account or card could be checked and changed in a few ways:

• Website or app: The most common way to check and change a billing address is to locate it on a website or mobile app. To find and change it, follow these general steps:

1. Log in to the account.
2. Navigate to account information.
3. View the profile section, then go to settings or personal details.
4. Edit changes to the billing address.
5. Save the changes.

• Customer service: Call the number on the back of the card and speak with someone at customer support to request a billing address change.
• By mail: A physical monthly statement also includes the account's billing address. This statement can be used to check the address or update it by filling out the change-of-billing-address form on the back of the statement (if provided).
• In person: If a card issuer's branch is close by, a representative there can update the billing address.

Before acting on the methods above to change a billing address, make sure the needed information — which includes the updated address details and account information — are in hand to avoid errors or having to repeat the process.

If you have more than one account with a bank, be sure to check every card and account associated with the billing address because updates may not automatically happen across all accounts.

Explore the PayPal app.