AWS requires credit card information to verify all new accounts, including those signing up for the free tier. Providing a credit card allows AWS to confirm your identity and prevent misuse, such as the creation of multiple or fraudulent accounts. While the free tier doesn’t generally incur charges, AWS uses your credit card details to cover any additional services you might opt for that go beyond the free usage limits.
AWS has implemented this verification step as a security measure, ensuring that resources aren’t misused and that services remain reliable for all users. At this time, there’s no alternative to bypass this requirement, as a valid payment method is necessary to complete the registration process.
To learn more about AWS account for Amazon SES and it’s free tier, click here.