Why data quality is now a regulatory control

A lot goes into confirming that an address is valid. For the United States Postal Service® (USPS), there are several pieces of information needed to verify an address. When you use address validation software, it checks the information entered against USPS’s database and requirements. A couple of terms to know when it comes to address validation are CASS™ and Delivery Point Validation® (DPV).  The Coding Accuracy Support System, or CASS, is a certification process used by USPS to evaluate the accuracy of address correction and matching software Delivery point validation, or DPV, which is one of the USPS-sourced files included in CASS data, is used to check the status of a specific address within the United States. What is CASS certification? According to the USPS, “The CASS™ (Coding Accuracy Support System) software certification program provides hardware and software developers, service bureaus, and commercial mailers a common measure by which to test the quality of address-matching software.” Software that meets these standards can earn CASS certification, helping mailers qualify for USPS mailing discounts by improving address accuracy and reducing the amount of manual processing required by the Postal Service. Using CASS-certified software to validate addresses can help organizations qualify for discounted USPS mailing rates. As a CASS-certified vendor, Experian’s data quality solutions cleanse, verify, standardize, and validate addresses before matching them against USPS CASS requirements. This helps improve address quality, reduce undeliverable mail, and enable customers to take advantage of available USPS mailing discounts. CASS processing Each software provider has its own unique processes, but some are standard for all CASS processing. First, address standardization is necessary to organize the list of addresses and bring them in compliance with the standards of USPS. The address is put in the correct format with the right abbreviations. The system will correct spelling errors and other mistakes with CASS address correction software. The next step is to update any addresses that may have changed. This step is separate from comparing addresses to the NCOA for businesses, which is the national database for forwarding addresses when someone moves. Updating changed addresses with Locatable Address Conversion SystemLINK (LACS) means that any changes to that address format will be recorded, regardless of who lives at that location. Address validation is the third step in all CASS processing. This stage determines if the address is real. It not only checks that the address is a real location, but it validates that it is in use. What are the requirements to be CASS certified? CASS data is comprised of the following USPS sourced products and files: 5-digit ZIP coding Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code (length: 5 digits) – Postal code system used by USPS. (Length: 5 digits) ZIP + 4 Extension of a ZIP code which determines a more precise location within the ZIP. (Length: 4 bytes) eLOT Enhanced line of travel allows mailers to sort their mailings in approximate carrier-casing sequence. Extended LOT allows mailers to sort their mailings in approximate carrier-casing sequence. Once data has been processed through a CASS-certified product, a CASS Summary Report can be generated. This report contains information about the condition of the original addresses and how the addresses have changed since cleaning. It is required where USPS mailing discounts are sought. Providers that are CASS-certified must support specific tools: Delivery point coding (DPC): Delivery Point Code (length: 2 bytes). This field contains the last two digits of the house/box number, or if the match is made to a high-rise record, the secondary unit number representing the delivery point information to form the 11-digit or delivery point barcode (DPBC). Possible values: “00” through “99” or spaces. (Length: 2 bytes). Suite: The Suite dataset returns information about changes made to an address following comparison with the USPS Suite data. A ‘Y’ indicates a Suite match, where secondary information is automatically appended to the output address. An ‘N’ indicates no match. A blank indicates that no lookup was performed Carrier route coding: Code assigned by the USPS to a group of addresses to aid mail delivery within a ZIP code. Consists of a carrier route type and carrier route code (Length: 4 bytes). For example, “C001”. LACS: Locatable Address Conversion System is a dataset provided to allow addresses that have been converted due to USPS changes or for 911 emergency systems to be linked with their new address.  What is USPS Delivery Point Validation™ (DPV?) DPV is another dataset used for address verification. The actual process for DPV uses the ZIP+4 to validate whether the address has verifiable primary and secondary mailing information. This is different from standard address validation because its purpose is to tell the user whether the address exists—not just that it’s in the postal database. Experian offers a DPV Confirmation Indicator in our address validation services which allows customers to verify that mail has been delivered to the address entered within the last two months. This is important as packages shipped to bad addresses can lead to several losses for the business: Returned mail and postage costs Time spent contacting the customer to alert them of delays Downturns in customer satisfaction For marketing campaigns, there is not only a loss of postage but also decreased customer retention due to poor communication and brand perception. By validating an address against DPV data, you can avoid the costs associated with shipping to inaccurate addresses. How do businesses benefit from CASS-certified mail software? Using CASS-certified software, including DPV Confirmation, offers your business considerable cost savings for mailing and shipping. When you use a CASS-certified address verification software, you not only qualify for mailing discounts through the USPS, but you also significantly reduce costs for returned mail or poor customer experiences by confirming the accuracy of the addresses to which you send. CASS processes provide numerous benefits to businesses for address verification: They ensure more accurate addresses for faster delivery CASS processes help keep the database organized and cleaned up You avoid returned mail, which costs money and prevents you from reaching your intended recipients These processes allow for work sharing or sorting bulk mail yourself to get a discount on the cost of postage What makes Experian CASS-certified? CASS certification requirements change as needed, and vendors like Experian must stay up to date with the latest rules. They must use software that meets minimum requirements for accuracy. This may include the following: Validation for five-digit ZIP Code Matches ZIP+4 to the five-digit codes Coding for carrier routes, which group addresses with the same ZIP code to improve efficiency LACS matches rural addresses to city addresses for 911 conversions RDI to verify if an address is a residence or commercial space DPV confirms that the address truly exists, and mail can be delivered eLOT, which puts mail in descending or ascending order to follow the order the mail will be delivered DPC, which is a unique identifier for each address How do I know if a vendor is CASS certified? Experian address verification tools are all CASS certified based on the latest requirements. You will also find tools for international address validation, so you can ship to your global customers. Connect with our data quality experts to learn more

Whether you need to enter your address online to make a purchase or provide your zip code when verifying your identity on the phone, you’re more than likely to sound off a combination of five different digits. But, if you pay attention to the address labels affixed to the miscellaneous items you receive in your mailbox on any given day, you’ll notice that your address has now transformed into a nine-digit number with an added 4-digit extension. This is referred to as your ZIP+4 code. What impact do ZIP+4 codes have on your business? In this article, we’ll cover why these additional zip code digits exist, why they matter, and how an address validation service can help you get started. What are ZIP+4 Codes and why do we have them? Let’s breakdown a 9 digit zip code and what these different numeric values mean for an address: The first 5 digits: The beginning of a zip code, or the 5 digits we are traditionally accustomed to using, refer to the specific delivery area of the country of a given address. The final 4 digits: ZIP+4 codes include an addition 4 digits that identify and tell the postal carrier the geographical segment present within a zip code delivery area. It’s important to note that the ZIP+4 codes are only appended to the original 5-digit USPS® Zip Code after the address has been validated and standardized. Why do these added 4 digits matter? These additional appended numbers help to ensure the quickest and most accurate mailing process possible. While only the first 5 digits of a zip code are required to send mail, you’ll find that your customers can enjoy expedited delivery time stemming from the specific geographical information translated by a ZIP+4 code. ZIP+4 Codes and How Experian improves address verification ZIP + 4® verification software verifies US addresses down to their USPS® 9 digit ZIP code™. When performing address verification with a ZIP + 4®, the user can pinpoint an address down to a few block radius. Although many people do not know their ZIP + 4®, Experian’s address verification software adds the ZIP + 4® to every recognized address. This helps to ensure delivery, hence saving time and money. Zip + 4® verification software works both on the front-end and the back-end. On the front-end, the ZIP + 4® will be added upon entering the address. Meanwhile, with back-end address correction software, the ZIP + 4® will either be added or corrected for all existing addresses. What ZIP+4 means for your business If you’re accustomed to using solely a 5-digit zip code, you’ll miss out on the numerous benefits enjoyed by businesses who leverage a ZIP+4 system, including: 1. Quicker deliveries As noted above, the additional specified information offered by a ZIP+4 code means faster delivery for your customers. The extra information supplied traditionally reduced processing time at mailing centers, which means that a package arrives to the consumer quicker. 2. Deliveracy accuracy Whenever postal carriers have access to more information, the likelihood of a package or piece of mail landing in the proper mailbox significantly increases. The correct ZIP+4 decreases the number of times a piece of mail is handled, too. This means that misdelivery or error is significantly reduced as a result. 3. Access to updated information Since ZIP+4 codes are based on delivery routes, this information can change as frequently as once every two months. Fortunately, this is where an automated address validation software will come in handy and allow you to stay on top of updated and accurate user data. 4. Reduced costs Anytime mail gets sent to the wrong address, your business may take on the costs associated with: Initial shipment costs Product replacement Reshipment Implementing a ZIP+4 code system into your business’s system of labeling and processing packages will serve as a preventative measure that safeguards your business against lost revenue associated with incorrectly delivered mail. 5. Increased customer satisfaction rates In today’s digital-forward society, online purchases have become a part of most individuals’ everyday routine. This means that now, more than ever, your clients expect a seamless shopping experience. The expectation for fast and accurate delivery is at an all-time high. With ZIP+4 codes, your customers will enjoy faster delivery with a reduced chance of undelivered mail. For your business, this means satisfied customers who are happy to do repeat business with your company. Improve address accuracy with Experian Experian helps businesses validate and standardize addresses, including appending the correct ZIP+4® code for recognized U.S. addresses. The result is cleaner customer data, fewer delivery issues, and a better customer experience. Ready to improve your address data? Learn how Experian can help your business verify addresses and improve deliverability. Fill out the form to learn more:

People change phone numbers regularly, causing headaches for customer service representatives and data managers across organizations. Maintaining a database of active phone numbers constantly challenges data-driven organizations. However, businesses with proper phone verification processes deliver a positive customer experience. Finding the best method for checking a mobile number’s active status allows your organization to save time and maintain better customer relationships simultaneously. Why is checking my phone number important? Accurate contact data is one of a business’s most valuable resources. After all, the best businesses are transparent, communicative, and responsive to their customers. However, inaccurate phone numbers are a significant obstacle in that relationship. Knowing how to check if a phone number is active goes a long way toward maintaining strong relationships with customers and keeping an open line of communication. Checking that you have an active phone number for your customer is a necessity for organizations as accurate data can be used for various purposes, such as: Contacting a customer about a transaction Verifying a customer’s identity Updating customers about their order status via text message Reaching customers through marketing campaigns Receiving customer feedback through phone surveys Connecting customers to a loyalty program Improper phone number data hinders these processes and negatively affects customer relationships. Despite the importance of knowing a mobile number’s active status and having accurate data, maintaining accuracy can be easier said than done. Phone data can grow outdated as people change numbers, making it harder to keep up with active, usable data. If you don’t have a system to check if a phone number is active, you and your team may waste valuable time and resources contacting inactive phone numbers. How to tell if a phone number is active or not Businesses wanting to stay ahead must know how to check if a number is still in service quickly and efficiently. An efficient process supports consistent customer communication without straining employee workloads. There are three ways to check whether or not a phone number is active. Contact the recipient The first and most obvious way to verify a mobile number’s active status is to call it directly. Prepare a script explaining why you are reaching out to the customer and touch on the information you want to share or gain from them. However, if the phone number isn’t working, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is not an active phone number, as the information may have been inputted incorrectly. To double-check, you can contact the customer through other channels to verify their information. For example, you can email your customers to confirm their phone numbers, although this is a time-consuming method that prevents your team from accomplishing other tasks. How to know if a number is active without calling If you wonder how to know if a number is active without calling, the simplest method is to use verification tools. All you need to do is type the number into the tool, and you will receive feedback on whether it is an accurate and active phone number. Phone number validation tools send a non-disruptive ping to the phone number in question through the network. If the tool receives a response, the number is active; if not, it is no longer in service. This instant process gives quick feedback allowing you to take action based on the result. Phone number verification tools are great because they can verify the accuracy of a single number or cleanse entire lists of inactive numbers. Using these tools periodically lets you maintain a database of accurate data. Real-time phone verification The best way to maintain a database of active phone numbers is to prevent inaccurate or invalid numbers from entering it. Real-time verification immediately tells you whether the customer added an accurate and active phone number so you can vet and correctly format numbers at the point of entry. This tool can be integrated directly into a customer relationship management (CRM) tool or a customer-facing website. Real-time phone verification performs the same as standard verification tools but works directly within a system for immediate feedback. For example, when a customer service representative enters a new customer’s data, the CRM tool verifies in real time the mobile number’s active status or whether it needs to be corrected. The system is also useful when a customer creates a profile on your website and can prompt the customer to make changes if necessary. Integrating a real-time verification tool into your current systems helps you avoid guessing whether or not you have active numbers. Although you should perform list cleansing periodically, real-time verification also saves time in the future by reducing the number of phone numbers that need to be corrected. The benefits of phone verification tools Knowing how to check if a phone number is active without calling is highly valuable for a business. Using phone verification tools improves customer reach and enhances the customer experience by reducing inaccuracy. Altogether, using phone verification tools offers multiple benefits: Providing organizations with confidence in reaching customers Saving time and money by eliminating the need to check numbers manually Ensuring better customer experience through improved contact Allowing bulk phone number verification You can use phone verification tools at the point that data enters the database or at various points in time to check for outdated phone numbers. By integrating verification tools into your current systems, you can streamline your process for maintaining accurate phone numbers and allow your team time to focus on strengthening customer relationships. How to check if a phone number is active with Experian Active phone numbers are crucial for maintaining positive customer relationships and maintaining reliable contact. With Experian’s phone verification tools, you can enjoy convenience and peace of mind by simplifying your processes for checking whether phone numbers are active. Our tools will save you time and energy by providing you with immediate and reliable feedback. Contact Experian to learn more about how to check if a phone number is active without calling and how to use our phone number verification services to improve your customer relationships. Connect with an expert to learn more