People make errors in their zip code, so having the city & state can provide a quick check.
- Why do websites ask for your ZIP code?
- Why does it ask for two zip codes?
- Is ZIP code more specific than city?
- What can someone do with your ZIP code?
Why do websites ask for your ZIP code?
Stores want your ZIP code because, combined with your name from your credit card, they can use it to find out other information about you from commercial databases, like your full mailing address. They may even sell the information to data brokers, who sell it to other marketers.
Why does it ask for two zip codes?
To subdivide a city for easier delivery of mail, depending on the size of the city and the density of population you will have different zip codes which designate which part of the city you live in and when there are multiple USPS branches each may work within one or two codes.
Is ZIP code more specific than city?
First of all, ZIP codes do not generally correspond to city and town boundaries, so having a ZIP code associated with a city is no guarantee that an address is actually located in that city. Second of all, ZIP codes actually have multiple names associated with them.
What can someone do with your ZIP code?
Alone, your ZIP code might not be of much value all by itself, but criminals will take that information and post it on underground sites where they buy, sell and trade bunches of personal information. From those sites, criminals can purchase enough of your personal information to use it for fraud.