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Finding yourself on the MATCH list can feel overwhelming, but understanding your removal options and taking strategic action can help restore your payment processing capabilities. The Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants database affects thousands of businesses annually, yet most can successfully navigate their way back to normal processing operations.
This guide explains how to get off the MATCH list, what to expect during the process, and how to maintain payment processing capabilities while working toward removal.
Your Path to MATCH List Removal
- Understand your MATCH list status
- Choose a pathway for your removal
- Secure alternative payment processing
- Implement prevention practices to avoid future MATCH list placement
- Seek professional support options for high-risk merchants
Step 1: Understanding Your MATCH List Status
Before attempting to get removed from the MATCH list, you’ll need to confirm some key details about your specific situation. Contact your former payment processor to obtain your MATCH list report, which details your reason code and listing date. This information determines which removal strategies apply to your business.
Common MATCH list reason codes include excessive chargebacks (code 04), fraud violations (code 05), PCI non-compliance (code 12), and money laundering concerns (code 03). Each code requires different documentation and approaches for potential removal. For example, only reason code 12 allows you to be removed from the MATCH list by simply getting PCI-DSS certification restored. The others require more complex case-by-case approaches.
Step 2: Choose a Route to Get Off the MATCH List
Once you understand your MATCH list inclusion reason, you can begin figuring out how to get off the MATCH list in your specific case. There are a few official ways this can be done:
Automatic Five-Year Removal
The most reliable method involves waiting five years from your listing date. Networks automatically purge entries monthly after this period. Although lengthy, this guaranteed removal requires no action on your part and incurs no cost. This isn’t really a removal strategy, but a recognition that you will be removed in 5 years without any extra action so long as you are not re-added for another policy violation.
Timeframe: 5 years
Requirements: Nothing, just wait for the 5-year period to lapse
Success Rate: 100%
Cost: None
Error Correction
If you believe your listing resulted from an error, contact the acquiring bank that added you for a dispute. Success requires substantial documentation proving that the inclusion was the result of an error, such as:
- Processing statements showing compliance during the violation period
- Legal documentation disproving alleged violations
- Third-party audit reports confirming legitimate operations
While the success rate is generally low, this is usually a low-cost, quick route to try if there is a chance that an error took place. There is also very little downside unless you’re going to try to directly appeal, as a failed error dispute doesn’t extend your waiting period or affect being removed for PCI compliance.
Timeframe: 30-90 Days
Requirements: Documented proof of error
Success Rate: 15-25%
Cost: Technically none, but can escalate to requiring legal fees
PCI Compliance Restoration (Code 12 Only)
Merchants listed for PCI non-compliance can pursue early removal by achieving full PCI-DSS compliance. The process requires:
- Certification from a Mastercard-approved forensic examiner
- Formal attestation from your original acquiring bank
- Complete business documentation, including merchant ID and owner information
After all of this has taken place, most merchants with a code 12 (PCI-DSS non-compliance) reason code are able to get removed from the MATCH list.
Timeframe: 3-6 months
Requirements: Code 12 removal reason, PCI compliance certification
Success Rate: 80%
Cost: $5,000-15,000
Direct Appeal
This isn’t necessarily an official pathway to removal, since there isn’t a defined pathway outlined by Mastercard for direct appeals. Regardless, it is a viable route to pursue if you have strong supporting documentation that conflicts with your MATCH list inclusion reason, and proper legal representation to handle the back-and-forth or escalation if necessary.
Timeframe: 6-12 months
Requirements: Strong documentation and legal support
Success Rate: 10-20%
Cost: $10,000+ in legal fees
Step 3: Secure Payment Processing While Listed
Most removal processes take some time, and you’ll need alternative payment processing in the meantime. Despite popular belief, MATCH listing doesn't prohibit all payment processing, or even all credit card processing; it simply indicates higher risk to potential processors and gives them a standardized method for evaluating why.
High-risk merchant account providers specialize in working with MATCH-listed businesses, or businesses in industries that traditional payment processors won’t. While fees typically run 25-50% higher than standard accounts, these services enable continued operations during removal efforts and better service overall for high-risk businesses.
Alternative Payment Solutions:
- ACH processing for lower transaction fees
- Digital payment platforms with different risk models
- International processors with separate underwriting criteria
- Industry-specific payment solutions
Step 4: Avoiding Future MATCH List Placement
Developing an effective approach for staying off the MATCH list requires addressing root causes while maintaining your business operations.
Create a comprehensive remediation plan addressing:
- Customer service improvements reducing chargeback risk
- Enhanced fraud prevention systems and protocols
- Staff training on compliance and risk management
- Financial controls preventing future violations
As far as outcomes go, there are some benchmarks you can use to determine whether your remediation plan is effective enough:
- Keep Mastercard chargebacks below 0.65% of total transactions
- Maintain fraud-to-sales ratios under 5% monthly
- Ensure PCI compliance validation remains current
- Regular risk assessments of business practices
Working with compliance specialists helps identify potential issues before they trigger violations. Many businesses benefit from third-party monitoring services that track transaction patterns and risk metrics, as well as payment processors that offer advanced chargeback management and fraud prevention features. Document all corrective actions taken since your original violation to ensure that you can demonstrate these changes during an appeal or dispute process.
Step 5: Professional Support for MATCH List Removal
While some merchants successfully navigate removal independently, complex cases often benefit from professional assistance. Payment processing attorneys, compliance consultants, and specialized merchant service providers offer expertise in MATCH list matters.
Learn How to Get off the MATCH List with SeamlessChex
Learning how to get off the MATCH list requires patience, documentation, and often professional support. While the process can be lengthy, businesses successfully navigate removal and rebuild their payment processing capabilities.
SeamlessChex understands the unique challenges facing MATCH-listed merchants. Our high-risk merchant account solutions provide immediate payment processing capabilities while you work toward removal. We specialize in supporting businesses through compliance challenges and offer competitive rates for MATCH-listed merchants.
Contact SeamlessChex today to explore high-risk merchant account solutions that keep your business operational while you work toward MATCH list removal.
