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How Gateway Payment Validation Works When Processing Payments

Learn how SmartMoving validates credit card payment details to prevent formatting errors, block invalid submissions, and provide clear error messages before payments can proceed.

Michelle Carone avatar
Written by Michelle Carone
Updated over a week ago

Overview

SmartMoving applies enhanced validation when processing credit card payments to ensure payment details meet required formatting standards before submission.

If required fields contain formatting errors, users cannot proceed to the next step of the payment until the issue is resolved. This helps reduce failed transactions, prevents confusion, and improves the overall payment experience.

These validations apply anywhere credit card payments are processed, including the Web Portal and the Customer Portal.


How Payment Validation Works

When a user submits a credit card payment, SmartMoving validates key fields to confirm they are formatted correctly.

If validation fails:

  • The user cannot continue to the next step of the payment.

  • An error message explains what needs to be corrected.


Name Field Validation

The Name field must follow these formatting rules:

  • A first and last name are required.

  • Commas are not allowed.

    • Smith, John is not accepted.

    • Use John Smith instead.

If the name format is invalid, the payment flow is paused until the issue is corrected.


Postal Code Validation

Postal code formatting is validated before the payment can proceed:

  • Canadian postal codes must use uppercase letters.

    • Example: V3S 6S3

  • Lowercase letters are not accepted and may be automatically corrected.

This ensures compatibility with both U.S. and Canadian address standards without limiting valid use cases.


Blocking Invalid Submissions

To reduce failed payments caused by formatting issues:

  • SmartMoving stops the payment flow when required fields fail validation.

  • Users must resolve all validation errors before continuing.

  • Payments are only submitted once all required fields are correctly formatted.


Clear Error Messaging

When validation fails:

  • Error messages appear directly on the affected fields.

  • Messages clearly explain what information is invalid and how to fix it.

  • Users can immediately correct the issue and continue the payment process.


Best Practices

💡 SmartTip: Enter payment details exactly as they appear on the cardholder’s billing statement to minimize validation errors.

  • Avoid punctuation in name fields.

  • Double-check postal code formatting, especially for Canadian addresses.

  • Review validation messages carefully before proceeding.


Troubleshooting

I can’t continue to the next step of the payment

  • Review all highlighted fields.

  • Correct any formatting issues shown in the error messages.

  • Once all errors are resolved, you can proceed with the payment.

The name field keeps showing an error

  • Confirm both a first and last name are entered.

  • Remove commas or special characters.

My postal code is being flagged as invalid

  • Ensure Canadian postal codes are entered in uppercase.

  • Verify the postal code matches the billing address on file with the card issuer.

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