By myhostmerchant.com August 24, 2025
The Mastercard MATCH list is a database of businesses flagged as high-risk by payment processors. Once a business is placed on it, getting approved for a new merchant account becomes extremely difficult. Knowing what is a MATCH list and how to avoid it can save your business from serious payment processing problems.
What Is the MATCH List?
The MATCH list, which is operated by Mastercard, is a type of warning list that banks and payment processors should be aware of. It contains the list of companies whose accounts have been blocked due to reasons such as excessive chargebacks, fraud, or violating card network regulations.
When a business submits an application for a new merchant account, banks reference this list to determine if the business is on this list. If the name appears, banks will reject the application in most cases.
For entrepreneurs, being on the MATCH list is practically similar to being blacklisted. It becomes extremely difficult to obtain approval for payment processing until the issues that led to the listing have been resolved.
Chargebacks and MATCH List: What You Need to Know
Receiving some refunds is only natural for any business that gets payments online. But when refunds are too many it turns into chargebacks. Too many chargebacks usually indicate issues such as unsatisfactory customer service, substandard product quality, or even scamming.
To manage this, Mastercard has an Excessive Chargeback Program. It monitors how many chargebacks a merchant receives per month and compares them to the sales they’ve made. This is referred to as the chargeback ratio.
Here’s how Mastercard determines the limits:
- Excessive Chargeback Merchant (ECM): 100–299 chargebacks per month, or a chargeback ratio of 1.5% to 2.99%.
- High Excessive Chargeback Merchant (HECM): Over 300 chargebacks per month, or a chargeback ratio over 3%.
If a business exceeds these thresholds, it is at risk of being listed on MATCH list. Other card networks also have their own criteria for flagging high risk merchants.
Consequences of Being on the MATCH List
Being listed in MATCH list can cause significant issues for a business. Banks and payment processors will usually deny you service, which makes it difficult for you to accept card payments.
Not only does this eat into your revenue, but it may also frustrate customers who want to make rapid and easy payments.
Once you’re on the list, your name typically remains there for five years, unless you can demonstrate the listing was an error and convince them to remove it.
Certain companies refer to high-risk or offshore processors to continue to accept payments. This might be a possible option, but it has disadvantages. These processors tend to have much more higher fees, put you into rigid contracts, and impose early termination penalties.
To companies that do not have a strong base, the additional expense and payment difficulties inflicted by a MATCH listing can make it extremely difficult to survive.
What to Do if You Get on Match List
1. Speak with Your Payment Processor
The first thing you need to do is ask why you were put on the list. Contact your processor and inquire about the reason. They can tell you why and help you navigate through the situation.
2. Explore High-Risk Processors
If your existing processor won’t cooperate with you anymore, you’ll need to locate a high-risk payment processor. These firms are experts at dealing with companies listed on the MATCH list. Be patient and make sure you choose wisely — the appropriate fit will make a significant difference.
3. Submit An Application for High-Risk Processing
Once you’ve found a merchant services provider that fits your business, you’ll need to apply for further process. Be ready to share documents like recent processing statements, your chargeback history, and details about your sales. Keep in mind that some providers prefer businesses with higher monthly revenue, so smaller businesses may need to search harder to find the right partner.
4. Improve Your Business Practices
Approval is just the beginning. High-risk merchant processors will want you to minimize chargebacks and optimize payment handling. This can involve changing your refund policy, enhancing customer support, or introducing fraud avoidance features such as CVV checks and geolocation. Small adjustments help you to handle payments more smoothly and reduce customer complaints with much more confidence.
Getting Off the MATCH List
If your company is placed on the MATCH list, the only certain method of removal from it is waiting for five years, provided no further problems are added. In certain situations, you will be removed earlier — i.e., if your bank is able to show Mastercard that you were accidentally included, or if you were added for violating PCI compliance guidelines and have
resolved the issue. But in both circumstances it can be challenging. Due to this, waiting for the five year timeline is generally the best option, you can use this time to work on your business practices so no further mistakes are made.
Chargebacks Reducing Strategies
A good way to reduce chargebacks is to place yourself in your customer’s position and consider what could confuse them in the buying process. The objective is to make all information clear and simple to comprehend.
You can do this by developing solid customer relationships, verifying orders by email or text, and stating shipping and delivery times clearly.
For high-value items, request a signature on delivery to prevent disputes. Ensure your customer service is accessible and that your business name appears visibly on card statements.
Always notify buyers of delays or changes, emphasize your policies in clear view, utilize detailed identifiers for electronic products, and give a straightforward return process. These actions can avoid misunderstandings that tend to cause chargebacks.
MATCH List Reason Codes Explained
How the MATCH List Works
Whenever a company applies for a new merchant account, the acquiring bank initially checks the MATCH List to determine if the company or its owners are listed. If a record appears, the acquirer calls the bank or processor that listed the merchant to learn why the account was closed. The process is easy:
- Merchant check: The owner and business information is sent by the acquirer to the MATCH system.
- Database search: Searches its five-year-old records to find potential matches.
- Results: Exact or similar matches are given by the system, and the acquirer checks them to determine the extent of risk.
The data that is kept in MATCH typically contains the company’s trade and legal names, address, telephone number, tax ID, website, and information of the principal owner. It also keeps track of the opening and closing dates of the account, as well as the reason code for being listed.
It is to be noted that Mastercard does not double-check the correctness of the data itself.
This is the responsibility of acquiring banks and processors. They must add merchants who qualify to MATCH within one business day of account closing. After they submit, the information is updated immediately in real time, and it is viewable by other acquirers.
Evaluating Your Situation: Identifying the Reason and What to Do Next
If you’ve landed on the MATCH list, the first step is to figure out why. Begin by reviewing your business records with full focus. Search for problems such as repeated chargebacks, consumer complaints, or potential compliance issues that might have led to the listing. These trends will hint about the cause of the listing.
Next, contact the bank or processor that listed you on the MATCH list. They are the ones who will be able to tell you the specific reason and provide you with the reason code associated with your case. If you are not clear or having trouble getting clear information, seeking legal advice is a good option.
Once you have that specific cause in mind, concentrate on correcting it. For instance, if chargebacks are the problem, consider what led to chargebacks—perhaps confusing product information, delayed delivery, or a return process that is confusing for consumers.
Sometimes companies end up on the list unintentionally, such as when information closely resembles that of another listed company. If this applies to you, you’ll need to work with the original processor to get the records corrected.
Every MATCH entry comes with a reason code, whether it’s chargebacks, fraud, non-compliance, or something else. Finding and addressing that code is the only way to move forward and rebuild trust with payment providers.
Making Your Case and Escaping the Clutches of the MATCH List
Once you’ve dealt with the problems that landed you on the MATCH list, the next thing is removing it. Start with gathering evidence proving your company has improved, like fewer chargebacks, improved fraud prevention, or new policies that safeguard customers data.
With this evidence in hand, contact the processor or bank that initially put you on the list. Explain the steps you’ve followed, respond to their questions truthfully, and offer any additional paperwork they ask for.
Remember that this is a time-consuming process, and most providers will want to see steady forward motion before making a change.
If you become stuck or things get too complicated, asking for assistance from a lawyer who is familiar with MATCH list cases can be a big help. The most important thing is to remain patient, determined, and dedicated to demonstrate that your business is no longer a risk.
What Is Terminated Merchant File (TMF)?
The Terminated Merchant File, commonly referred to as the TMF, is a file that contains information about businesses marked as high-risk. Mastercard’s MATCH list is essentially the new name for the TMF, and thus, individuals tend to refer to both terms interchangeably.
When your company does get placed on this list, it is extremely difficult to be approved for a new merchant account or payment processor.
Perhaps the most frequent reason that a company gets listed on the TMF is that they have too many chargebacks. When you open a new account, payment processors screen this database. If your name appears, your application will likely be rejected.
Other Payment Options for Merchants on MATCH List
If you’re listed on the MATCH list and it’s nearly impossible to get accepted by a credit card processor, there are still other options for accepting payments. Two of the most popular options are eChecks and cryptocurrency.
With eChecks, funds are transferred directly from the customer’s checking account to your account, without the necessity of a standard merchant account. This can be an excellent choice for subscription or recurring payment-based businesses, as it’s easy and secure.
Cryptocurrency is different. Payments go from a customer’s crypto wallet right to yours, bypassing banks or processors. This is a secondary method of getting paid without taking a merchant account.
The only real negative is that cryptocurrency values can fluctuate rapidly, which introduces some risk. However, if your customers are okay with using it, it can be an intelligent solution.
Can Your Account Get Flagged in Error?
Yes, it can occur, although it’s fairly rare. Sometimes a company finds itself on the Mastercard MATCH list due to an unintentional error like mixing up various records. Most merchants are not even aware that they’re on the list until their credit card payments cease to function.
If you believe your business was added by mistake, the best step is to reach out to the company that flagged you. Call or email their support team and explain your situation. They’ll usually review the case, and if it really was an error, they can correct it and remove your business from the list.
Conclusion
Being on the MATCH list can be a major roadblock to your business, but it’s not the end. By knowing how the list operates, having low chargebacks, and having transparent, honest dealings with customers, you can significantly minimize the chances of being on the list. Even if you end up there, knowing your alternatives and moving swiftly can get you out of there and back into business.
FAQs
What is the MATCH list?
It’s a Mastercard database that tracks high-risk businesses, typically because of chargebacks or fraud.
How do I know if I'm on the MATCH list?
You’ll typically find out when a new processor denies your application or when your provider tells you.
Can a business get off the MATCH list?
Yes, but only the processor who added you can help you to get removed once problems are resolved.
For how long does a business remain on the MATCH list?
Usually up to 5 years, except in certain situations where the provider takes you off earlier.
How can one best stay off the MATCH list?
Keep chargebacks minimal, be honest with customers, and comply with card network regulations.