Address scrubbing software -- QAS Online Glossary

Definition:
Address scrubbing is the process of correcting and verifying addresses automatically in a list or database.

Typical mistakes found in address data run from incorrect house numbers to an incomplete ZIP Code™, with some addresses missing even more essential information.

A common error is leaving off secondary address information--that is, apartment, suite, plaza etc. Upwards of 20% of mail handled by the United States Postal Service® is inaccurate or incomplete, some to the point of being entirely undeliverable.

Address scrubbing software can help to correct these costly errors and omissions. Address scrubbing typically works on the back-end, checking address records against a trusted source such as USPS® data to automatically find and fix bad addresses.

A back-end address cleaning solution is designed to work with your existing address database, fixing and correcting addresses before they are output into things like shipping, marketing, and billing processes.

Related links

Read more about regularly cleaning address data.
Find out why verifying addresses on the front end can significantly improve the success of your address scrubbing efforts.