Am I on the MATCH List? What to Do Next

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I on the MATCH list?” you’re not alone. Discovering that your business has been flagged can feel overwhelming, especially when it happens suddenly after a payment processing denial or account termination.

The Member Alert to Control High-risk merchants (MATCH) list, maintained by Mastercard, tracks merchants whose accounts have been closed for certain reasons. Once you’re listed, getting approved for a new merchant account through traditional processors becomes extremely difficult.

Understanding how the MATCH list works and what steps to take if your business ends up on it is the first step toward restoring your ability to process payments.

This guide walks you through what the MATCH list is, how it affects your business, and how SeamlessChex helps high-risk merchants get back on track with specialized payment processing options.

What Is the MATCH List and Why It Matters

The MATCH list, formerly called the Terminated Merchant File (TMF), is a database used by Mastercard and acquiring banks to flag merchants whose accounts were closed for risk-related reasons.

Once you’re on it, that information is shared globally across payment networks. Most businesses remain listed for five years, unless their bank confirms that the listing was made in error or the issue has been resolved (for example, PCI non-compliance corrected).

Because most processors automatically reject MATCH-listed merchants, finding a specialized high-risk provider becomes important to keep your business moving forward.

Why Merchants Get Added to the MATCH List

Businesses can be added to the MATCH list for many reasons, some serious, others simply administrative. Understanding these categories helps you identify what went wrong and how to fix it.

Category	Reasons
Financial Issues	• Excessive chargebacks (over 1% of total transactions) • High levels of fraud (fraud-to-sales ratio above 8%) • Bankruptcy or unpaid balances • Unsettled financial obligations
Compliance Problems	• PCI-DSS non-compliance • Account data breaches or misuse • Violations of card network rules
Legal or Ethical Violations	• Fraudulent or illegal transactions • Identity theft • Money laundering

Each MATCH list entry is tied to a specific reason code assigned by the acquiring bank that closed the account. These codes indicate why the merchant was listed, such as chargebacks, fraud, or non-compliance.

For example, Reason Code 04 is used when a business exceeds Mastercard’s allowable chargeback threshold, signaling excessive customer disputes or transaction reversals. Knowing your exact reason code helps you identify what went wrong and what corrective actions to take to restore your processing capabilities.

If you were added for one of the reasons mentioned in the table, don’t lose hope. Many businesses recover and get re-approved once they address the underlying issue and demonstrate stronger compliance to future processors.

Am I On The MATCH List? How to Find Out

There’s no public tool or website to check your MATCH list status, but there are several reliable ways to find out whether your business has been added.

To confirm your status:

Ask your payment processor or bank. They can verify your MATCH list status directly.
Review termination notices. If your merchant account was recently closed, the notice may explain whether you were added.
Check your recent transaction patterns. Frequent chargebacks or disputes often signal that your account is under review.

You can also refer to the table below for a quick overview of each method’s availability and accuracy.

Method	Availability	Accuracy	Timeline
Direct Portal Check	Not Available	N/A	N/A
Payment Processor Inquiry	Available	High	1–3 days
Bank Account Review	Available	High	Same day
Application Denial Pattern	Available	Moderate	Ongoing
Account Termination Notice	Available	High	Immediate

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Once you confirm your status, you can start planning your next steps: either appealing the listing or working with a provider that supports high-risk merchants.

How to Get Removed from the MATCH List

There are only a few ways to be officially removed from the MATCH list, but with the right documentation and support, it’s entirely possible.

Wait out the five-year period. Mastercard automatically removes businesses from the MATCH list after five years. So if you were listed in 2020 for excessive chargebacks, you’ll automatically be cleared from the database in 2025, even if you didn’t submit a formal removal request.
Prove the listing was an error. If your acquiring bank added you to the list by mistake, they can submit a correction request to Mastercard. This is more common than many business owners realize, as data entry errors or miscommunications can trigger false listings.

For instance, a merchant could be added under the wrong ID if their business name closely resembles another that was legitimately terminated. In those cases, clear documentation and communication with the acquiring bank can usually resolve the mix-up and lead to removal from the list.

Resolve PCI compliance issues. If your listing was due to PCI-DSS non-compliance, you can be removed by demonstrating compliance and providing proof from a certified forensic examiner. In many cases, merchants are listed simply because their annual PCI validation wasn’t submitted on time. Once they complete the required security assessment and share certification proof with their acquiring bank, the listing can often be lifted.

Each removal path requires working closely with your acquiring bank or payment processor. Keep all termination letters, account statements, and compliance records on hand to speed up the process.

Even if removal takes time, you can still continue operating by partnering with a high-risk payment processor that understands MATCH-listed merchants. This allows you to accept payments and maintain cash flow while rebuilding your reputation.

How to Secure Payments If You’re On The MATCH List

Being on the MATCH list doesn’t mean you can’t process payments. While traditional merchant accounts may be out of reach for now, several options remain available to keep your business running:

High-risk processors: Specialized payment providers work specifically with MATCH-listed merchants. They understand the unique underwriting challenges and offer tailored solutions designed to restore payment capabilities quickly.
Alternative payment methods: Explore ACH processing, eChecks, or digital wallets that may use different risk criteria than traditional credit card processors. These methods can help maintain cash flow while you work toward full reinstatement.
Improved business practices: Demonstrating enhanced security measures, chargeback management systems, and compliance protocols can reassure potential processors that your business is stable and responsible.

Once you’ve secured a payment processing solution, the next step is preventing future MATCH list placement.

Keeping Your Business Off the MATCH List

Staying off the list requires proactive monitoring, consistent compliance, and strong customer service practices.

Here’s how to protect your business long term:

Monitor chargeback ratios: Keep chargebacks well below 1% by providing clear refund policies, quick customer support responses, and transparent billing descriptions. Using chargeback monitoring tools or early-warning systems can help you identify issues before they escalate.
Maintain PCI compliance: Complete your annual PCI-DSS validation and perform regular security audits to ensure your systems meet current data protection standards. Late submissions or lapses in compliance are common reasons businesses get relisted.
Implement fraud detection: Use address verification (AVS), CVV checks, and real-time fraud screening tools to identify suspicious transactions early. The fewer fraudulent transactions you process, the stronger your reputation with banks and processors.
Document everything: Keep detailed records of transactions, customer communications, and compliance reports. Strong documentation not only protects you in disputes but also supports your case if a future MATCH list listing needs to be challenged.
Be prepared with documentation: Having recent bank statements, chargeback summaries, and compliance certificates on file makes it easier to secure new partnerships or defend your risk profile during underwriting reviews.

Using these prevention strategies helps you show financial institutions you're reliable, which will reduce the risk of future disruptions to your payment processing.

What This Ultimately Means for Your Business

The question “Am I on the MATCH list?” reflects a genuine concern about your business’s ability to accept payments and sustain operations. A MATCH list placement can temporarily limit your options, increase processing costs, and make underwriting reviews more complex.

However, these challenges aren’t permanent. Many businesses continue to operate, and even grow, by using high-risk payment processing solutions that keep transactions flowing while they work toward removal. The key is to treat this period as an opportunity to stabilize your systems, improve compliance, and rebuild trust with financial partners.

Understanding your MATCH list status is only the first step. Taking swift corrective action, documenting improvements, and partnering with an experienced payment processor that understands high-risk accounts can help you protect revenue and preserve your reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you check the MATCH list yourself?

No. Mastercard doesn’t offer public access to the MATCH list. Only acquiring banks and payment processors can verify your status. The best way to confirm is by contacting your current or former payment processor and asking directly whether your merchant ID appears on the list.

How long does MATCH list placement last?

A MATCH listing typically lasts five years from the date of placement. After that, it’s automatically removed unless the acquiring bank updates or re-adds it. In some cases, merchants can request early removal by resolving compliance issues or proving that the listing was made in error.

Can I still process payments while on the MATCH list?

Yes. Many businesses continue processing through high-risk payment providers that specialize in MATCH-listed merchants. These processors understand your unique challenges and can help you maintain operations while you work toward removal.

Do all payment processors check the MATCH list?

Most traditional processors and banks review the MATCH list during underwriting. However, high-risk specialists, like SeamlessChex, work with listed merchants using customized risk management and compliance strategies.

Next Steps for MATCH-Listed Businesses

Determining whether you’re on the MATCH list requires direct communication with your payment processor or bank, but there are often early warning signs, such as repeated account denials or unexplained terminations. While a MATCH list placement can create obstacles, removal is possible through the right corrective steps, and several payment processing solutions exist for listed merchants.

At SeamlessChex, we specialize in helping high-risk merchant accounts for businesses facing payment processing challenges, including those currently on the MATCH list. Our white-glove service helps you navigate complex compliance requirements, reduce risk exposure, and maintain reliable payment capabilities.

Whether you’re working toward removal or simply need to keep accepting payments in the meantime, contact SeamlessChex for help.