Member Alert To Control High-Risk (MATCH) Merchants: the six-word phrase that every merchant dreads.

The MATCH list is one of the most dreaded realities for business owners.

Finding out you’re on the list is debilitating, leaving you stranded with no guidance on how to move forward.

We’re here to help.

Understanding the MATCH list, why you’re on it, who put you on it, and how to accept payments is what will save you—step by step.

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Understanding MATCH and TMF Blacklists

The Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants (MATCH) database serves as the payment industry’s primary blacklist system. It effectively bars merchants from obtaining traditional payment processing for up to five years.

Mastercard maintains this database, while Visa operates the similar Terminated Merchant File (TMF). Both systems share information and create nearly identical barriers for listed merchants.

How MATCH Placement Occurs

Acquiring banks place merchants on MATCH when specific violations occur. The system uses standardized reason codes that determine both the severity and potential removal pathways:

• Reason Code 01: Account data compromise
• Reason Code 02: Common point of purchase
• Reason Code 03: Laundering or credit laundering
• Reason Code 04: Excessive chargebacks
• Reason Code 05: Excessive fraud
• Reason Code 06: Reserved for future use
• Reason Code 07: Fraud conviction
• Reason Code 08: Mastercard questionable merchant audit
• Reason Code 09: Bankruptcy/insolvency
• Reason Code 10: Violation of standards
• Reason Code 11: Merchant collusion
• Reason Code 12: PCI-DSS non-compliance
• Reason Code 13: Illegal transactions
• Reason Code 14: Identity theft

Recent Industry Changes

Visa’s fraud-to-sale ratio threshold dropped from 1% to 0.9%, making violations more likely. Additionally, chargeback thresholds have become stricter, with some processors implementing zero-tolerance policies for businesses exceeding 0.5% chargeback ratios.

Many payment processors now use AI-driven risk assessment tools that flag potential problems earlier but also create more false positives. While growth in tech is welcome, it also means merchants face scrutiny from multiple angles:

• transaction patterns
• customer behavior analytics
• predictive risk modeling

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The Real Cost of MATCH Placement

You’re aware of the immediate danger caused by the MATCH list or TMF, but there’s more to consider.

Immediate Business Impact

MATCH placement creates immediate operational chaos. Your payment processing terminates within days, forcing you to scramble for alternatives. Customer payments bounce back, subscription services fail, and your cash flow stops abruptly.

Many businesses cannot survive this sudden revenue disruption.

Long-term Financial Consequences

The five-year listing period compounds the financial damage. Even after removal, your business carries the stigma of previous MATCH placement.

Future processors charge higher rates, impose stricter terms, and maintain closer monitoring. The total cost often exceeds hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue and increased processing fees.

Reputational Damage

MATCH placement signals to the entire payment industry that your business is an elevated risk. This reputation follows you through business relationships, banking partnerships, and even personal credit considerations.

The interconnected nature of financial services means MATCH placement affects multiple aspects of your business operations.

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Getting Off MATCH

There are a few ways to get off the MATCH list. Choose the best method for your business and reason code.

Understanding Your Specific Situation

Before attempting removal, you must understand your exact reason code and circumstances. Contact your previous payment provider’s risk department to obtain detailed documentation about your placement. This information determines which removal strategies might succeed.

PCI Compliance Pathway

Reason code 12 placements offer the clearest removal path. Achieving PCI-DSS compliance creates a legitimate basis for early removal. Your acquiring bank must provide Mastercard with compliance attestation along with your merchant details.

This process typically takes 30-60 days once proper documentation is submitted.

Negotiation and Documentation Strategy

Gather comprehensive evidence supporting your removal request:

• All correspondence with your previous processor
• Documentation of external factors causing violations (supplier issues, product recalls, regulatory changes)
• Proof of resolved compliance problems
• Evidence of circumstances beyond your control
• Financial records showing the impact of external factors

Present this documentation professionally to your acquiring bank’s risk department. Emphasize how you’ve addressed underlying issues and implemented preventive measures.

Legal Action Considerations

For wrongful placements, legal action is a viable solution but requires substantial evidence and is quite expensive. Successful legal challenges typically involve:

• Clear documentation of processor errors
• Evidence of discriminatory treatment
• Proof of financial damages
• Expert testimony about industry standards

Direct Appeals to Card Networks

When acquiring banks refuse assistance, you can approach Mastercard directly. This process requires patience and persistence, but legitimate removal requests sometimes succeed through direct network appeals.

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Choosing Your Next Processor

You won’t be able to use the same payment processor as before, so here’s what to look for it both your primary and backup processors.

High-Risk Processors

Specialized high-risk processors understand industry challenges and provide stability that mainstream processors cannot offer. These companies expect elevated risk metrics and won’t terminate accounts over temporary spikes in chargebacks or fraud rates.

Evaluation Criteria

When selecting a high-risk processor, evaluate:

• Industry experience with businesses similar to yours
• Risk management tools and fraud prevention capabilities
• Chargeback management services and dispute handling
• Contract terms including termination clauses and fee structures
• Reserve requirements and fund holding policies
• Customer support quality and responsiveness

Technology Infrastructure Requirements

Modern payment processing requires comprehensive risk management systems:

• Advanced fraud detection using machine learning algorithms
• Address Verification Systems (AVS) for transaction validation
• CVV verification and additional security measures
• Velocity checking to identify suspicious transaction patterns
• Geolocation services for international transaction monitoring
• Device fingerprinting to track customer behavior patterns

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Avoiding Future MATCH Placement

Prevention is always the best offense. Here are some ways to prevent your business from being MATCH-listed.

Proactive Risk Management

Implement comprehensive monitoring systems that track key performance indicators:

• Chargeback ratios with early warning thresholds
• Fraud rates and suspicious transaction patterns
• Customer complaint trends and resolution times
• Refund rates and return processing efficiency
• Transaction velocity and unusual activity spikes

Customer Service

Superior customer service prevents many chargebacks and disputes. Implement:

• 24/7 customer support with multiple contact methods
• Clear billing descriptors that customers recognize
• Transparent refund policies with easy processing
• Proactive communication about order status and delays
• Comprehensive FAQ sections addressing common concerns

Compliance Infrastructure

Maintain strict compliance with all industry standards:

• PCI-DSS compliance with regular audits and updates
• Data security protocols protecting customer information
• Transaction monitoring for suspicious activities
• Record keeping for all customer interactions and disputes
• Staff training on compliance requirements and procedures

Industry-Specific MATCH Risks

High-Risk Industries

Certain business types face elevated MATCH risks:

• Adult entertainment and related services
• International e-commerce with cross-border transactions
• Subscription services with recurring billing
• High-ticket items with elevated fraud potential
• Travel and hospitality with advance bookings
• Nutraceuticals and health supplements
• Debt collection and financial services

Mitigation Strategies by Industry

Each high-risk industry requires specific prevention approaches:

E-commerce businesses should implement robust fraud screening, clear shipping policies, and comprehensive customer verification processes.

Subscription services must provide easy cancellation options, clear billing cycles, and proactive customer communication about upcoming charges.

Travel companies need flexible cancellation policies, clear terms and conditions, and comprehensive travel insurance options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does MATCH listing actually last?

A: Standard MATCH listings remain active for five years from placement date. Automatic removal occurs after this period unless additional violations happen.

Q: Can I get a merchant account while on MATCH?

A: Traditional merchant accounts are nearly impossible while MATCH-listed. Some high-risk processors offer specialized solutions with adjusted terms and higher fees.

Q: What’s the difference between MATCH and TMF?

A: MATCH (Mastercard) and TMF (Visa) serve similar functions as merchant blacklist databases. Both systems share information and create comparable barriers for listed merchants.

Q: Will I know immediately if I’m placed on MATCH?

A: No. Most merchants discover MATCH status only when applying for new accounts and facing repeated rejections.

Q: Can I prevent MATCH listing if problems develop?

A: Early intervention helps significantly. Contact your processor immediately when noticing rising chargeback rates or fraud indicators. Proactive communication and risk mitigation may prevent placement.

Q: What documentation should I gather for removal attempts?

A: Collect all processor correspondence, evidence of external factors causing issues, proof of resolved compliance problems, and documentation showing circumstances beyond your control.

Q: Are there specific industries more likely to face MATCH listing?

A: Yes. High-risk industries including adult entertainment, international e-commerce, subscription services, and high-ticket retailers face elevated MATCH risks.

Q: Should I work with a consultant after MATCH removal?

A: Absolutely. Experienced consultants understand application processes, maintain acquiring bank relationships, and guide you through complex approval procedures while helping prevent future violations.

Q: Can MATCH placement affect my personal credit?

A: While MATCH doesn’t directly impact personal credit scores, the business disruption and financial consequences can indirectly affect personal finances, especially for sole proprietors and small business owners.

Q: What happens if I’m placed on MATCH multiple times?

A: Multiple MATCH placements create increasingly severe consequences. Each subsequent listing extends the exclusion period and makes future merchant account approval exponentially more difficult.

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