Only check 5 digits of ZIP code when checking for duplicate accounts

We noticed a duplicate account was created for one of our donors when the only difference was the e-mail address used. The help desk told us that eTap checks for matches of three parameters: Account name, address, and e-mail. In our case the first two matched, but the new DIY form had a 5+4 digit zip code instead of 5 digits in the existing account. So eTap created a duplicate account. 

 

This is a bad design. People use 5 or 5+4 interchangeably. eTap should only compare the first 5 digits of the ZIP code. 

  • Jamshed Mulla
  • Feb 6 2020
Data Entry
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    • Jamshed Mulla commented
      February 07, 2020 03:36

      I am now told by the help desk that the duplicate entry was created because the addresses did not match. The existing account had "Ter" for the street name suffix while the new DIY entry used "Terrace". This should also be added to the address compare algorithm in addition to ZIP 5 vs. 5+4.

       

      Here are the common abbreviations that should be considered equivalent:

       

      St = Street

      Pl = Place

      Ave = Avenue

      Blvd = Boulevard

      Cir = Circle

      Ter = Terrace

      Pkwy = Parkway

      Rd = Road

      La = Lane

       

      For a full list, see: https://printcopymail.umich.edu/mailsvcs/streetsuffixes.htm 

       

      also

       

      Ste = Suite

      Apt = Apartment = # = Unit

      Flr = Floor

       

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