# Why does the name have to be EXACTLY as it appears on the card? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 21, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609 "2006-08-21T16:24:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![happywaffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ee59a6/32.png) [@happywaffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happywaffle)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/1 "2006-08-21T16:24:29Z")
Is someone going to be struck by lightning if I fill out an order form using “Bob Jones” as my name instead of “Bob P Jones” as it appears on the card? Why do people always make a big deal about getting the name “exactly” right? ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/2 "2006-08-21T16:27:56Z")
Elaborate, please? Not quite sure what the circumstances are. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/3 "2006-08-21T16:32:10Z")
I think Bob/ **happywaffle** is talking about when you’re entering your credit card information. I suppose it’s part of the verification process, and if it doesn’t match exactly, the system might reject the card. I’ve never tested this theory; I always enter my CC info exactly, middle initial and all. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/4 "2006-08-21T16:55:03Z")
If you are talking about a credit card situation, as Scarlett suggested, the answer is pretty simple. If you don’t enter your information exactly as it appears on the card, the transaction is going to be rejected by the credit card company. So, no lightning, but, yeah no transaction. > [@](#): > > Why do people always make a big deal about getting the name “exactly” right? What do you suggest they do? You realize that this is an automated process, right? And you realize that Bob Jones and Robert Jones and Robert P. Jones very well could be names attached to completely different accounts, right? And you do realize that not getting this data point correct could be an indication that _you aren’t actually in possession of the card and, thus, increases the risk that you aren’t the actual holder of the account_, right? It’s one data point in an attempt to ensure security, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![happywaffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ee59a6/32.png) [@happywaffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happywaffle)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/5 "2006-08-21T16:55:38Z")
Correct, Scarlett. (The name’s Kevin by the way.) Good-enough answer; anyone else have any idea? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/6 "2006-08-21T17:20:03Z")
My middle initial is wrong on my card and I can’t bring myself to use it. I leave it off and have never had a problem with transactions going through. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/7 "2006-08-21T17:30:39Z")
Banks will often do this for check endorsements. Sometimes, if your name is spelled incorrectly on the front, they will have you endorse it both ways. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/8 "2006-08-21T17:37:19Z")
The middle initial is important. When I was in electronics school, there was another student there with my name. This individual got on-campus parking tickets and didn’t pay them. The administration, acting on first and last name only, called me to the office. I went in puzzlement, wondering what had had gone wrong, and showed them the notice, addressed to Firstname Lastname only. I explained that I was innocent of the charges, because a) I could not drive, and b) I had no car. They asked for my ID. I showed them it: Firstname R. Lastname. Upon looking through their records, they announced that the infractions belonged to Firstname L. Lastname. My problem, but not his, was solved. Since that time, whenever possible, I use all three of my names. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/9 "2006-08-21T17:39:10Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > My middle initial is wrong on my card and I can’t bring myself to use it. I leave it off and have never had a problem with transactions going through. How long has it been this way? I should think it’s risky having an account in an erroneous name. You could open yourself up to difficulties. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/10 "2006-08-21T17:56:50Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > You realize that this is an automated process, right? And you realize that Bob Jones and Robert Jones and Robert P. Jones very well could be names attached to completely different accounts, right? And you do realize that not getting this data point correct could be an indication that _you aren’t actually in possession of the card and, thus, increases the risk that you aren’t the actual holder of the account_, right? > > It’s one data point in an attempt to ensure security, that’s all. The fact that it’s automated doesn’t make much difference. You could easily program it to match people despite using/not using middle initials, nicknames, etc. (I’ve done this for matching voter lists in political campaigns, and it’s a common routine in merging mailing lists.) It’s obviously done for security reasons, as you said. But I don’t know how much it is really used. I have used either ‘Timothy M’ or ‘Tim’ and had the credit card accepted in both cases. ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/11 "2006-08-21T18:14:19Z")
I often see online sites that provide no mechanism for giving them a middle initial for credit card processing. There are two boxes: “First Name”; and “Last Name”. My name is on the card as Firstname M Lastname, and I’ve never had a problem in such a case simply putting Firstname and Lastname in the boxes as specified. I suppose I could try putting “Firstname M” in the first box, but I’m actually afraid that might _increase_ the likelihood of a problem. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/12 "2006-08-21T19:53:19Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > How long has it been this way? I should think it’s risky having an account in an erroneous name. You could open yourself up to difficulties. A few years. What would be the trouble? Plus, this way I can see whom they sold my info to. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/13 "2006-08-21T22:45:56Z")
Well, no factual information for me to contribute (the obvious assumption as mentioned is that it’s an automated process - if it’s a computer at the receiving end it just complicates the process of verifying the info). However, the first name on my card is Kenneth and I almost always instinctively use Kenny. I’ve never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/14 "2006-08-22T04:37:10Z")
I’ve never had a problem, I always get billed correctly. I have a special character in my name, and it is a crapshoot whether I have to include it or remove it when entering my name. My Visa is “First Last”, whereas my Discover is “First FullMiddleName Last,” yet I normally omit my middle name. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/15 "2006-08-22T04:43:08Z")
My middle initial is on my credit card. I don’t bother quoting it when asked to give my name as it appears on the card. I never have any problems. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/16 "2006-08-22T08:16:35Z")
It appears that it doesn’t matter what you [write](http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit/) on your [receipts](http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit_card/)! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/17 "2006-08-22T09:14:40Z")
On my Danish visa card there is a wrong character in my name. I never enter my name with that wrong character, and I have never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/18 "2006-08-22T11:45:59Z")
> [@A.R. Cane](#): > > Banks will often do this for check endorsements. Sometimes, if your name is spelled incorrectly on the front, they will have you endorse it both ways. This happened to me once when a rebate check got my last name wrong. They had me endorse the check with both my real name and the misspelled version. Also, I never use my middle initial, and I don’t have any trouble because of it. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/19 "2006-08-22T13:22:18Z")
Well… if all you have is the CC# and an idea of what the name is (bob vs. Robert), or no idea as to the name, it will help to eliminate some fraudulant charges. Exactly as on card is pretty much garunteed to match the billing name/address, which usually must match for online transactions to succeed. It really depends upon what verification system is being used… “Verified by Visa” seems to be a bit more picky than some others. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609/20 "2006-08-22T16:26:50Z")
> [@happywaffle](#): > > Is someone going to be struck by lightning if I fill out an order form using “Bob Jones” as my name instead of “Bob P Jones” as it appears on the card? Why do people always make a big deal about getting the name “exactly” right? Actually, matching the _name on the card_ isn’t necessary. Instead, you must match the _account name in the credit-card company’s database_. For many companies, these are identical, thus the common instructions. But for others, the card will say “J Q Public” even though the account name is really “John Q Public”. You’ll want to fill in “John Q Public” in the online forms to prevent rejection. This is in fact the case for two of my four credit cards. I surmise it’s an additional anti-fraud measure. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-name-have-to-be-exactly-as-it-appears-on-the-card/369609.md?page=2)