A credit card authorization form is a document that customers (or cardholders) fill out to grant businesses the permission to charge their credit card. Credit card authorization forms are more often used for larger purchases (think cars, computers, etc.)

Typically it contains: The cardholder's credit card information. Card type. Name on card. Card number. Expiration date. The merchant's business information. Cardholder's billing address. Language authorizing the merchant to charge the customer's card on file. Name and signature of the cardholder. Date.

Credit card authorization forms are beneficial for both the consumer and the business. The main benefit for businesses is protecting them from fraud and chargebacks. A chargeback is a tool to help consumers get their money back from purchases that were never rendered or unauthorized transactions.

Credit card authorization forms are a best practice for merchants. Although it's not legally required, you should ask your lawyer when they would suggest using one.

You should never send your credit card info by email. Of all the ways you can transfer information to another person on the internet, email is the most likely to be compromised. The recipient can forward your credit card info to another person, or somebody can access their email account.

Card authorization is required for both online and in-person transactions. The business's point-of-sale (POS) software will automatically send a request to their payment processor or acquirer, asking them to authorize the transaction.