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      Understanding the 'Unable to Validate Address' Message in PaymentWorks

      The “Unable to Validate Address” message may appear in the Corporate Address or Remittance Address section of a vendor registration. This message indicates that PaymentWorks’ third-party address validation service could not verify the address.

      What Does This Mean?

      • The message does not necessarily mean the address is invalid or does not exist.
      • It suggests the address could not be confirmed using the third-party database, and further review may be needed before deciding whether to accept it.

      Why This Happens

      When addresses are entered into PaymentWorks by a payee:

      1. Prompt for USPS/SmartyStreets Address Matching:
        • Payees are prompted to select an address that matches the United States Postal Service (USPS) or SmartyStreets repository.
        • If the payee does not select the suggested address and instead submits their original entry, the address may be flagged as "Unable to Validate" because its formatting does not align with the address repository.
      2. Non-Verified Addresses:
        • Addresses that do not match USPS/SmartyStreets records will typically be marked as "not verified."

      Steps to Review the Address

      1. Check the Address:
        • Use free online address validation tools, such as SmartyStreets, to gather additional information about why the address was not recognized.
      2. Review Internally:
        • Compare the provided address with internal records or customer communications.
      3. Communicate with the Payee:
        • If the formatting is incorrect, consider requesting the payee to reformat their address to match USPS/SmartyStreets standards.
      4. Make a Decision:
        • If the address aligns with your internal requirements and records, you may proceed with the registration despite the validation warning.

      Important Note

      This message is a recommendation, not a strict rejection. The address validation tool simply provides guidance and does not replace your organization’s internal review processes.