Used by security, manufacturing, and marketing teams worldwide.
★★★★★
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854 Verified Merchant Reviews From Stripe Partners, PayPal Partners
Proven Results
64%
Average Fraud Reduction
47%
Chargeback Decrease
Security Certified
✓ Payments processed via Stripe (PCI DSS Level 1 certified, 3D Secure enforced). We are not PCI DSS Level 1 certified, but follow best practices and never store card data.
SOC 1
99% Uptime SLA
The Fraud Problem You're Facing Right Now
$340–$1,200
Cost per fraudulent order (2.5–3.5× multiplier including chargebacks, fees, lost merchandise)
Total setup time: 15 minutes • No credit card • Cancel anytime
All Countries Dataset
Single Country Dataset
Full dataset for one country
Personal or your e-commerce use only
No commercial resale or business use allowed
Format: CSV, JSON, or DB in a zip file
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Dataset Update
Receive the latest update for your purchased dataset
Price is per country
Format: CSV, JSON, or DB in a zip file
One-time update purchase
All Countries Dataset
Full dataset for all countries
Personal or your e-commerce use only
No commercial resale or business use allowed
Format: CSV, JSON, or DB in a zip file
One-time purchase
All Countries - Commercial License
Full dataset for all countries
Commercial resale and business use allowed
Sell data or build your own business
Format: CSV, JSON, or DB in a zip file
One-time purchase
You can purchase a dataset for a single country, but commercial use is not allowed. If you want to buy two countries, the price is $6,200 + $6,200 per country unless you select the All Countries Dataset.
For commercial resale or distribution, you must choose the All Countries - Commercial License. Data is delivered in CSV, JSON, or DB format packed in a zip file.
BIN Lookup API: Complete Technical Reference (2025)
What is BIN lookup and how does it work?
BIN lookup (Bank Identification Number lookup) is the process of verifying the first 6-8 digits of a payment card to identify the issuing bank, card brand, card type, and country of origin. When a merchant or developer makes a BIN lookup request to our API (https://api.binsearchlookup.com/lookup?bin=XXXXXX), our system:
Validates the BIN format against ISO/IEC 7812 standards
Queries our database of 1 400,000+ BIN ranges across 200+ countries
Returns comprehensive card details including: Brand (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), Type (Credit, Debit, Prepaid), Category (Classic, Gold, Business, Prepaid), Issuer name and contact info, Country (with ISO codes)
Provides risk indicators for fraud prevention
Technical implementation: Our API uses RESTful architecture with sub-100ms response times. Authentication requires X-API-Key and X-User-ID headers. Example response for BIN 559994 (KOHO Mastercard): {"bin":"559994","success":true,"data":{"Brand":"MASTERCARD","Type":"DEBIT","Category":"PREPAID","Issuer":"KOHO FINANCIAL INCORPORATED","CountryName":"CANADA"}}
How do I detect and block prepaid cards using BIN lookup?
To detect prepaid cards, check the Category field in the API response. If it contains "PREPAID" (case-insensitive), the card is prepaid. This includes variations like "PREPAID", "PREPAID CARD", "BUSINESS PREPAID", etc.
JavaScript implementation:
const category = response.data.Category.toUpperCase();
const isPrepaid = category.includes('PREPAID');
if (isPrepaid) {
// Block transaction or flag for review
console.log('Prepaid card detected - transaction blocked');
}
Common prepaid card issuers to watch for: KOHO (Canada), Green Dot (USA), NetSpend, Vanilla, Serve, Bluebird, Chime, Current, Varo, Privacy.com (virtual cards)
Why block prepaid cards? Prepaid cards are frequently used for fraud because they: Have no identity verification requirements, Can be purchased with cash anonymously, Are disposable (high chargeback risk), Often used to avoid recurring charges on subscriptions
What's the difference between 6-digit and 8-digit BINs?
6-digit BINs (legacy format): Used from 1960s-2021, provided basic issuer identification, covered approximately 64,000 possible combinations, became insufficient due to payment card proliferation
8-digit BINs (modern standard since April 2022): Mandatory for all new cards issued after April 2022, provides 16 million+ possible combinations, enables more granular card product identification, better fraud detection capabilities, supports emerging payment methods (digital wallets, cryptocurrency cards)
BINSearchLookup support: Our API automatically detects both 6 and 8-digit BINs. Simply pass the first 6-8 digits in your request. For maximum accuracy, use 8 digits when available.
Example: BIN 551029 (6-digit) vs 55102912 (8-digit) - The 8-digit version provides more specific issuer and card product details.
How accurate is BIN lookup for fraud prevention?
Database accuracy: 99.8% - We maintain over 500,000 BIN ranges with daily updates from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and 15,000+ global banks.
Fraud reduction statistics (based on 1,200+ merchants):
64% average reduction in payment fraud when implementing BIN lookup
47% decrease in chargebacks by blocking high-risk card types
$12,400 average savings per month for mid-size e-commerce stores
89% accuracy in identifying stolen/compromised cards when combined with other fraud signals
Best practices for maximum accuracy: Use 8-digit BINs when possible, Combine with velocity checks (multiple cards from same IP), Cross-reference billing country with card issuing country, Flag mismatches between cardholder name and bank country, Monitor for rapid card switching (fraudsters testing cards)
Which programming languages are supported for BIN lookup integration?
BINSearchLookup API is language-agnostic and works with any programming language that can make HTTP requests. Popular integrations:
JavaScript/Node.js: Use fetch() or axios library. Perfect for e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento.
Python: Use requests library. Common in data science, fraud analytics, payment processing systems.
PHP: Use cURL or Guzzle. Dominant in WordPress, Laravel, Symfony applications.
Ruby: Use Net::HTTP or HTTParty gem. Popular in Stripe integrations and Rails apps.
Java: Use HttpClient or OkHttp. Enterprise payment gateways and financial institutions.
Go: Use net/http package. High-performance fintech applications.
C#/.NET: Use HttpClient. Microsoft-based payment systems.
Yes, BIN lookup is 100% PCI DSS compliant and legal worldwide. Here's why:
PCI DSS Compliance: BIN data (first 6-8 digits) is NOT considered sensitive authentication data under PCI DSS requirements. Our service never receives, stores, or processes full card numbers, CVV codes, or cardholder data. BIN lookup only uses publicly available issuer identification data. No PCI certification required for merchants using our API.
Legal status: BIN ranges are publicly published by card networks (Visa, Mastercard) for legitimate fraud prevention. Used by thousands of payment processors, banks, and merchants globally. Compliant with GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), PIPEDA (Canada), and other privacy regulations.
What you CAN do legally: Verify card brand and type before processing, Block high-risk card categories (prepaid, virtual), Identify issuing country for compliance checks, Enhance fraud scoring systems, Route transactions based on card type
What you CANNOT do: Store full card numbers (violates PCI), Generate valid card numbers from BINs, Access cardholder personal information, Bypass card network authorization requirements
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, UnionPay, Maestro, RuPay, Elo, Mir, and 40+ others
Data Freshness:
Updated daily from official card network sources
Geographic Coverage:
200+ countries, 15,000+ financial institutions
Real-World Implementation Examples
E-commerce: Block Prepaid Cards on Digital Goods
Challenge:Selling software licenses, gaming subscriptions, or digital downloads with high fraud rates from prepaid cards.
Solution:Implement real-time BIN check before payment authorization. Block if Category contains "PREPAID".
Result:78% reduction in chargebacks, $8,200/month savings for medium-sized store.
SaaS: Prevent Virtual Card Subscription Abuse
Challenge:Users signing up for free trials with disposable virtual cards (Privacy.com, Revolut virtual) to avoid recurring charges.
Solution:Cross-reference BIN data with card type. Flag virtual/prepaid cards for manual approval or require alternative payment method.
Result:64% increase in trial-to-paid conversion rate.
International Marketplace: Geo-Compliance Verification
Challenge:Ensuring customers use payment methods from their stated country (KYC compliance, sanctions screening).
Solution:Compare billing address country with card issuing country from BIN lookup. Flag mismatches for review.
Result:91% reduction in cross-border fraud attempts.
Technical Documentation
How Do BIN / IIN Numbers Work?
Complete technical guide to Bank Identification Numbers and their role in payment security
A Bank Identification Number (BIN), also known as Issuer Identification Number (IIN), is the first 6 to 8 digits of a payment card number. These digits serve as a unique identifier that reveals critical information about the card: the issuing bank or financial institution, the card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), the card type (credit, debit, prepaid, or virtual), and the country of origin.
The Anatomy of a BIN Number
BIN numbers follow the international ISO/IEC 7812 standard for identification cards. Hover over each section to explore what each digit position reveals:
5599
9412
3456
7898
CARDHOLDER
JOHN DOE
EXPIRES
12/28
Hover over the card digits above to explore each section
Digits 1-4: MII + BIN Start
5 = Mastercard • 599 = KOHO Financial
Digits 5-8: Extended BIN
Issuer:KOHO Financial Inc.
Country:Canada (CA)
Type:Debit Card
Category:Prepaid
Digits 9-15: Account Number
Unique account identifier assigned by the issuing bank
Digit 16: Luhn Check Digit
8 = Luhn algorithm validation • Verifies card number authenticity
Real-World Example
BIN 559994 (KOHO Mastercard)
BIN:559994
Brand:MASTERCARD
Type:DEBIT
Category:PREPAID
Issuer:KOHO Financial Inc.
Country:Canada (CA)
Breakdown
5=Mastercard (Banking/Financial MII)
59994=KOHO Financial Incorporated
Canadian fintech offering prepaid debit cards with no credit check required
How BIN Lookup Prevents Fraud in Real-Time
When a customer enters their card details at checkout, instantly verify the BIN to detect high-risk transactions before processing the payment.
Prepaid Card Detection
Block prepaid, virtual, or disposable cards commonly used in fraud schemes and to avoid recurring charges.
Geographic Mismatch
Flag transactions where billing address doesn't match the card's issuing country—a common fraud indicator.
Card Type Verification
Verify if the card is credit, debit, or prepaid. Control which card types you accept for stronger protection.
Issuer Validation
Identify the issuing bank for tiered risk scoring based on historical fraud patterns and databases.
Proven Results from 1,200+ Merchants
64%
Average Fraud Reduction
47%
Chargeback Decrease
$12.4K
Monthly Savings (Mid-Size)
3-5x
ROI Within 90 Days
Why BIN Lookup Delivers Outsized ROI
Each prevented fraud case doesn't just save the transaction amount - it avoids multiple downstream costs that compound the financial impact:
Hidden Costs of a Single Fraudulent Transaction:
Chargeback fees:$15.00 per dispute (Stripe)
Lost merchandise:Full product cost
Processing fees:2.9% + $0.30 (non-refundable)
Shipping costs:Unrecoverable
Staff time:$50-200 investigation hours
Risk penalties:Higher rates if >0.75% chargeback rate
Total cost per fraud case: Typically 2.5-3.5x the transaction amount
The Math: If BIN lookup prevents just 5 fraudulent $100 orders per month, you save $1,250-$1,750 monthly - while our Pro plan costs only $99/month. That's a 12-17x return on investment.
Common Use Cases Across Industries
E-Commerce & Digital Goods
Block prepaid cards on high-value digital purchases (software licenses, game codes, gift cards) where fraudsters can instantly resell stolen products. Reduce fraud by 78% on digital goods.
SaaS & Subscription Services
Prevent virtual/disposable card abuse where users sign up for free trials with Privacy.com or Revolut virtual cards to avoid recurring charges. Increase trial-to-paid conversion by 64%.
Travel & Hospitality
Verify international bookings by matching billing country with card issuing country. Flag mismatches for manual review to prevent cross-border fraud.
Marketplace Platforms
Protect sellers by screening buyer payment methods. Implement seller protection policies that exclude high-risk card types from coverage disputes.
Payment Processors
Route transactions intelligently based on card type, apply dynamic risk scoring, and optimize approval rates while minimizing fraud exposure.
Follow our battle-tested implementation guide trusted by Fortune 500 companies and financial institutions
1
Install SDK & Configure
Add our battle-tested SDK to your project and configure with your API keys. Includes built-in retry logic, circuit breakers, and comprehensive error handling.
Complete guide to Bank Identification Numbers, card verification, fraud prevention, and BINSearchLookup API integration - Updated April 2026
What is BIN lookup and how does it work?
BIN lookup (Bank Identification Number) is the process of verifying the first 6-8 digits of a payment card to identify the issuing bank, card brand, card type, and country of origin.
What information can a BIN lookup return, and how accurate is it?
Typical fields include BIN/IIN, Brand (network), Type (credit/debit/prepaid), Category (product class), Issuer Name, isoCode2/isoCode3 and CountryName. Accuracy depends on sources and update frequency.
Is it legal to lookup BIN details and how to use them responsibly?
BIN lookups are legal for verification, fraud filtering, and reconciliation. Use results only for legitimate business purposes.
Why does a BIN lookup show prepaid or debit card when the holder says otherwise?
The BIN/IIN indicates the product type at issuance. Issuers may reissue, reprogram, or remap ranges over time.
Can BIN lookup detect card country and currency?
BIN lookup returns the issuing country via isoCode2/isoCode3 and CountryName. Currency is not reliably encoded in IIN/BIN data.
Do BINs identify the exact bank branch or personal account?
No. The IIN/BIN identifies the issuing institution and product block but does not identify individual branches or account holders.
How to detect and block prepaid cards with BIN lookup?
To detect prepaid cards, check the Category field in the API response. If it contains "PREPAID" (case insensitive), the card is prepaid.
What's the difference between 6-digit and 8-digit BINs?
BIN and IIN are functionally identical. 'Bank Identification Number' (BIN) was the original term. 'Issuer Identification Number' (IIN) is the updated ISO standard term.
How should merchants use BIN lookups to reduce fraud and chargebacks?
Use BIN data as one signal among others in a layered defense.
Is BIN lookup the same as IIN lookup?
BIN and IIN refer to the same concept, but the terms reflect different conventions.
How to interpret BIN fields like Brand, Type, and Category?
Brand = payment network (e.g., Visa, Mastercard); Type = credit, debit, or prepaid; Category = product class or program name.
What programming languages are supported for API integration?
Yes! We provide complete REST API access with detailed documentation, code examples in JavaScript, Python, PHP and SDKs.
How often is the BIN database updated?
Our database receives weekly updates from network and issuer sources, with critical changes processed within 24-48 hours.
How do you handle data privacy and security?
We are PCI DSS compliant and follow strict data protection protocols. We never store full card numbers, only BIN data.
What to do if a BIN lookup returns empty results or errors?
Empty results may indicate unassigned BIN ranges, test card numbers, or coverage gaps.
How much does BIN lookup service cost?
We offer a free tier with 100 requests/hour for testing and small-scale use. Paid plans start at $19/month for 10,000 requests.
Quick Answers About BIN Lookup
Is BIN lookup legal?
Yes, BIN lookup is completely legal. BIN numbers are public information used for payment routing and fraud prevention.
How accurate is BIN lookup in 2025?
Modern BIN lookup services like BINSearchLookup maintain 99% accuracy through daily database updates.
Can BIN lookup reduce fraud by 64%?
Yes, our 2024 study of 1,203 merchants showed 64% average fraud reduction. The study analyzed 2.4 million transactions over 12 months.
Any questions?
Talk to our sales team to learn more about how our pricing works.
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