What BIN data is used for
BIN (Bank Identification Number) data is the first 6–8 digits of any payment card. It identifies the issuing bank, card type, and country of origin — information that payments professionals use across fraud, routing, risk, and compliance workflows.
Fraud Prevention
Verify that a card is issued by a legitimate bank before processing a transaction. Cross-reference the card's issuing country against the customer's billing address to flag mismatches. Reduce chargebacks by identifying suspicious patterns at the BIN level — before a transaction is authorized.
Payment Routing
Route transactions to the optimal acquiring bank or payment processor based on BIN data. Matching the card's issuing region to the right acquirer can meaningfully increase authorization rates and reduce interchange fees.
Risk Management
Apply risk controls dynamically based on card attributes. Flag transactions originating from high-risk issuing regions, prepaid card categories, or card types that fall outside expected purchase patterns for your business.
Customer Segmentation
At scale, BIN data reveals where your customers' cards are issued — useful for geo-targeted campaigns and understanding your customer mix. At the individual level, distinguish business accounts from consumer accounts, or segment by card tier (Classic vs. Gold vs. Platinum).
Surcharging
Identify cards that require surcharging under local regulations — for example, non-EU cards used within the EU, or credit vs. debit distinctions for merchants operating under surcharge rules. BIN lookup lets you apply the correct surcharge dynamically at checkout.
Issuer Identification
Instantly identify the issuing bank behind any card. Useful for reconciliation, dispute management, and building relationships with the right issuing institutions for your payment volume.
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