No matter the type or size of business you operate, the MATCH list intimidates every merchant. Landing on the list is as good as being black listed. Getting your merchant account cancelled is bad enough but being placed in the TMF/MATCH list is even worse.
What is the MATCH/TMF list?
The MATCH list, also commonly referred to as Terminated Merchant File (TMF), is a list used to screen potential merchants by credit card processors before approving them for a merchant account.
This list is handled by MasterCard and acts as a resource for all the acquiring banks to identify businesses that have had their merchant accounts previously terminated for variety of reasons. Once you land on the list it becomes extremely difficult to acquire merchant solutions. The MATCH is essentially a black list of merchants and getting off of it is nearly impossible.
Why is my business added to the MATCH list?
The reasons for being added to the list can be extensive ranging from excessive chargebacks to credit card frauds. The MATCH database mentions 14 codes that describe the reasons why a merchant is placed on the list.
Some of the reasons include Money laundering, Excessive frauds, PCI non-compliance, Bankruptcy or Liquidation, Violation of rules and policies or credit card agreements, Merchant collusion and other kinds of illegal activities.
How to get removed from the MATCH list?
Once added to the list, your business will remain in the system for duration of 5 years. The acquirer who added your business to the list is the same one that can get you off it. After finding out your business is listed, contact your former bank immediately and ask for an explanation as to why you have been added to the list and the steps necessary to be removed from it.
If you are being erroneously added to it, you must work with the bank to rectify the error and have your business taken off the file instantly.
The most common reason for termination is excessive chargebacks. If so, banks will wait until all the chargebacks have been corrected and there are no further chargebacks found.
However, if you are on the list because of any type of fraudulent activity, in such case it will be impossible to take your name off the file.
Can I still obtain a Merchant Account? TMF Merchant Account Solution is the way to go!
Are you TMF business turned down repeatedly by regular merchant account providers? Or accepted one of those quick approval merchant account solution only to have the services being terminated abruptly, again?
Some merchants are in fact unaware of being placed in the MATCH list until they apply for a merchant account and get declined because of it.
If you are one those merchants who have found themselves in the TMF/MATCH list, don’t give up hope! Turn to reputable merchant account providers that offer specialized TMF merchant account solutions for such businesses.
Yes, there are processors willing to offer TMF merchant account solutions, however, within reason.
Merchant account providers such IBS, instead of declining TMF merchants at first glance, examine the merchant details to understand what they are doing to get back on track and support them in doing so. A specialized TMF merchant account will provide you with credit card processing solution with specific features including end-to-end tools and support that will help you overcome the challenges of being placed in the list.
