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Integrating IP Address Verification with BIN Data for Better Transaction Decisions

5 min read | Dec 4, 2024
By apyflux

As e-commerce continues to thrive, ensuring secure and seamless online transactions has become paramount for businesses. Fraudulent activities such as card-not-present (CNP) fraud are rising, requiring businesses to take proactive measures to validate transactions in real-time. One highly effective method is integrating IP address verification with Bank Identification Number (BIN) data.

The BIN Card Info API provides an essential tool for this integration, allowing businesses to retrieve card information using the first six digits of the card (BIN) while cross-referencing it with the user’s IP address. This combined data offers a more accurate fraud detection system, enabling businesses to make smarter transaction decisions.

In this guide, we’ll explore how integrating IP address verification with BIN data can enhance transaction security and help businesses reduce fraud risk.


What is BIN Data and How Does It Work?

The Bank Identification Number (BIN) refers to the first six digits of a payment card number. These digits identify the bank or financial institution that issued the card, as well as the card type (credit, debit, prepaid, etc.).

By using a BIN Card Info API, businesses can gain access to detailed information about the card based on its BIN. This includes the issuer’s name, the country where the card was issued, and the card’s type.

But while BIN data provides critical insights into the card’s legitimacy, it doesn’t give a complete picture of the transaction’s authenticity. This is where IP address verification comes into play.


The Role of IP Address Verification in Fraud Prevention

An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to every device connected to the internet. When processing an online transaction, the IP address of the customer’s device can provide additional context about their location. By cross-referencing the IP address with the BIN data, businesses can assess the legitimacy of the transaction more accurately.

For example, if a user in the United States tries to make a purchase using a card issued in Russia, this could raise a red flag for potential fraud. By verifying the IP address and determining the location of the device initiating the transaction, businesses can better understand whether the transaction aligns with the user’s usual behaviour or geographical location.


How BIN Data and IP Address Verification Work Together

The BIN Card Info API allows businesses to retrieve detailed BIN data such as card type, issuing bank, and country of origin. However, combining this data with IP address verification takes fraud detection a step further.

Here’s how the integration works:

  1. Step 1: API Request
    When a customer initiates a transaction, the first six digits of the card number (BIN) are sent to the BIN Card Info API. The API returns detailed card information, including the bank name, country, card type, and more.
  2. Step 2: IP Address Verification
    Along with the BIN data, the user’s IP address is also captured. The business can then use this IP address to pinpoint the geographical location of the user.
  3. Step 3: Risk Scoring
    By cross-referencing the BIN data and IP address, businesses can assign a risk score to the transaction. For example, if the IP address indicates a location far from the card’s issuing country, it might indicate potential fraud. This information helps businesses decide whether to approve, flag, or reject the transaction.
  4. Step 4: Decision-Making
    The business can now make a more informed decision about the transaction. If the risk score is high, they may choose to request additional verification from the customer, such as 2-factor authentication (2FA), or deny the transaction entirely.

Benefits of Combining IP Address and BIN Data for Transaction Decisions

1. Improved Fraud Detection

By integrating IP address verification with BIN data, businesses can detect suspicious transactions faster. For example, if a customer in the United Kingdom tries to use a card issued in Brazil, but the IP address shows they are accessing the transaction from India, it’s likely a fraudulent attempt. This integration helps businesses spot anomalies that might not be visible through BIN data alone.

2. Enhanced Security

Combining BIN and IP data offers an additional layer of security, which is crucial for businesses dealing with large volumes of online transactions. This layered approach helps prevent fraud while ensuring that legitimate customers can make purchases without hindrance.

3. Real-Time Validation

One of the biggest advantages of using the BIN Card Info API and IP address verification is the ability to assess transactions in real-time. By quickly determining the risk level of a transaction, businesses can approve, decline, or flag suspicious activity within moments, preventing potential fraud before it escalates.

4. Reduced False Positives

Often, fraud detection systems can result in false positives, where legitimate transactions are mistakenly flagged as fraudulent. By combining BIN and IP address data, businesses can increase the accuracy of their fraud detection, reducing the chances of rejecting valid transactions.

5. Increased Customer Trust

Implementing a robust fraud prevention system with BIN and IP verification helps build trust with customers. When users feel that their transactions are secure, they are more likely to return and continue making purchases.


Step-by-Step Guide to Integrating BIN and IP Address Verification

Integrating BIN Card Info API with IP address verification is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:


Step 1: Register for the BIN Card Info API

Sign up for access to the BIN Card Info API and obtain your API key. This key will allow you to authenticate your API requests.


Step 2: Capture User Data

When a user initiates a transaction, capture their card number’s first six digits (BIN) and their IP address.


Step 3: Make an API Request

Send a request to the BIN Card Info API, including the BIN data. Optionally, you can also include the IP address to receive a risk score in the response.

Example API Request (JavaScript):

const axios = require('axios');

const apiKey = 'your_api_key';
const bin = '457173'; // Example BIN
const userIp = '192.168.1.1'; // User's IP address

axios.get(`https://api.example.com/bin/${bin}/${userIp}`, {
  headers: { 'Authorization': `Bearer ${apiKey}` }
})
.then(response => {
  console.log(response.data);  // Log BIN info and risk score
})
.catch(error => {
  console.error('Error fetching BIN data:', error);
});

Step 4: Analyze the Response

Once the data is returned, process it to extract the issuer, country, card type, and risk score. Based on this data, make an informed decision about the transaction.


Step 5: Implement Decision Logic

Use the risk score and geographical match to flag or approve the transaction. If the score is high or the IP address doesn’t match the BIN’s country, you can implement additional verification measures, such as multi-factor authentication.


Conclusion

Integrating BIN Card Info API with IP address verification is an effective way for online merchants to protect their businesses from fraud. By cross-referencing card data and geographical location, businesses can gain deeper insights into transaction legitimacy and make better-informed decisions. This integration not only enhances security but also improves the overall customer experience by providing seamless and secure online payments.

Start integrating BIN and IP verification today to ensure your business is protected against fraud while providing customers with the confidence to make safe online transactions.

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Apyflux Logo

Apyflux

Unleashing the potential by connecting developers to a world of powerful APIs.
Secured Payments By
RazorPay Logo
  • Visa_Logo
  • Mastercard_Logo
  • Amex_Logo
  • Maestro_Logo
  • Rupay_Logo
  • UPI_Logo_Small
© 2025 Apyflux. All rights reserved.