How to Get Off
MATCH List
We help protect your reputation.
MATCH – Member-Alert-To-Control-High-Risk – is a database of previously terminated merchants (and their principals) maintained by MasterCard Worldwide, and relied upon by the payment brands to screen and regulate merchant access to the payments system.
Card Brand rules require an acquirer to report a merchant for listing on MATCH immediately following any decision to terminate the merchant processing relationship – if the acquirer has reason to believe that the merchant:
- Suffered a data breach
- Failed to comply with PCI DSS
- Engaged in credit card laundering, fraudulent activity, or other illegal transactions
- Violated MasterCard standards or engaged in conduct that threatens the MasterCard brand and reputation
- Exceeded monthly chargeback thresholds
- Reporting is mandatory if the merchant is terminated for: credit or debit card fraud; depositing excessive counterfeit or unauthorized transactions; laundering transactions; or generating excessive chargebacks.
If you land on MATCH you remain on the list until the listing is automatically deleted from MATCH after five years.
How does this affect you?
Card Brand Rules require acquirers to check the MATCH list before signing any processing agreement with a merchant. Most acquirers consider a MATCH listing to be a badge of infamy, and they’ll flatly reject any merchant on the list. The small group of more risk-tolerant acquirers will extend processing services at much higher discount rates. You will be subject to greater scrutiny, increased monitoring, and post substantial reserves (delayed access to funds).
How can you get off the MATCH list?
MasterCard will remove a merchant when the acquirer reports that it added the merchant in error. Acquirers are loath to take that step, however, because they face liability to subsequent acquirers for losses caused by any merchant they should have placed on – or improperly removed from – the MATCH list. It is no easy task to get off this list. But it can be accomplished through diligent advocacy in some cases.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Mastercard MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-Risk) List is a database used by acquiring banks to track businesses and individuals flagged as high-risk due to fraud, excessive chargebacks, or other compliance issues. Being on this list can limit your ability to open merchant accounts.
At TFM Law, we help businesses understand and navigate the complexities of the Mastercard MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-Risk) List. Contact us now for more details.
Businesses can be added to the MATCH list for various reasons, including:
- Excessive chargebacks
- Fraudulent transactions
- Violations of Mastercard or acquiring bank regulations
- Bankruptcy or financial instability
TFM Law offers proven strategies and tailored legal solutions to help businesses get off the MATCH list effectively. Our approach includes identifying the root causes of the listing, correcting policy violations, resolving chargeback or fraud disputes, and leveraging our industry expertise to negotiate with acquiring banks and Mastercard for expedited removal. We ensure every step is aligned with compliance and risk management best practices to restore your payment processing capabilities.
Businesses typically remain on the MATCH list for 5 years unless successfully removed earlier through corrective actions and legal intervention. To learn more about how to get off MATCH list, schedule consultation with our experts.
At TFM Law, our extensive experience and strong track record in successfully handling Mastercard MATCH list cases set us apart. We streamline the complex process and engage directly with acquiring banks and regulators to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. Attempting to get off the MATCH list without professional assistance can be complex and time-consuming.
Contact TFM Law today for a consultation. Our experienced attorneys in Los Angeles are ready to help you navigate the complexities of MATCH list removal and restore your payment processing capabilities.