The MATCH List: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Avoid It

B2B Vault Podcast Recap | Sponsored by Nationwide Payment Systems

Getting on the MATCH list can destroy your business—that’s not an exaggeration. It’s a harsh reality in the payments world. In this episode of B2B Vault: The Biz-to-Biz Podcast, Bryce Van De Moere, attorney at Global Legal Law Firm, explains how businesses end up on the MATCH list and what they can do to get off it—or avoid it altogether.

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What Is the MATCH List?

MATCH stands for Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants, a list maintained by Mastercard that blacklists merchants who’ve had their processing terminated for risk-related reasons. Once you're on it, securing a new merchant account becomes nearly impossible—for up to five years.

Common Reasons Merchants End Up on MATCH:

• Excessive chargebacks
• Fraud or suspected fraud
• Selling prohibited products
• Brand misuse or intellectual property violations
• Identity theft (even if you’re the victim)

 

Bryce Van De Moere’s Mission: Fighting for Unfairly Matched Merchants

Bryce specializes in defending merchants who’ve been wrongfully placed on the MATCH list. From nutraceutical businesses flagged over FDA notices to merchants shut down for vague “policy violations,” Bryce sees it all—and often, it’s not justified.

"It’s not just frustrating—it’s unjust," Bryce says. "A lot of the time, banks and processors don’t even understand the MATCH system. They just panic and pull the trigger."

He recently defended a merchant who discontinued a product after an FDA warning, yet got MATCHed without a single credit card transaction tied to the violation.

 

Who Puts You on MATCH—and Why?

Contrary to popular belief, Mastercard doesn’t investigate MATCH cases. It’s the bank or payment processor who places you there—Mastercard merely maintains the list.

Unfortunately, many processors choose the easiest route:

1. Shut the merchant down
2. Add them to the MATCH list
3. Move on

The problem? Small businesses often don’t have the resources to fight back.

 

Chargebacks: The Silent Killer

A major reason merchants get MATCHed is excessive chargebacks. Here’s what you need to know:

Mastercard’s MATCH Threshold:

• Over 1% chargeback ratio
• Over $5,000 in chargebacks in a single month

Meet both conditions, and you're at serious risk.

Visa has its own VAMP program, and the thresholds are tightening—more regulations are coming, and more merchants are getting flagged.

Pro Tip: Always monitor your chargeback ratio and respond immediately to disputes. Never ignore those letters.

 

How to Stay Off the MATCH List

Key Recommendations:

• Stay Within Your Approved MCC (Merchant Category Code)
  Only sell what you were approved to sell. Get approval before expanding.
• Disclose Volume Increases
  Banks get nervous if volume spikes without warning. Notify your processor and send bank statements or P&Ls to explain the change.
• Don’t Mislabel or Misrepresent Products
  One wrong image or misleading ad (e.g., "keeps your weed fresh" on a humidor) can get your account shut down.
• Avoid Unauthorized Subscriptions
  Never charge recurring fees without clear opt-ins. Always provide a click-to-cancel option.
• Set Up Chargeback Defense Tools
  Capture CVV2 and AVS data, use delivery tracking, obtain signed receipts, and provide clear refund/return policies.
• Avoid Excessive Application Spamming
  Applying for dozens of merchant accounts after being MATCHed will flag you even more. Work with a reputable provider who understands risk.

 

What If You're Already on the MATCH List?

It’s not impossible to get off, but it will require effort.

Here’s what to do to get off the MATCH list:

1. Email Mastercard directly: matchbusinessowner@mastercard.com
   Only the business owner can do this—not an agent or attorney.
2. Mastercard will send you:
• The bank name that MATCHed you
• The date of placement
• The reason code
3. Contact the bank and begin the process of resolving the issue or disputing the MATCH placement.
4. If it’s fraud or an error:
• File a police report
• Report fraud to Equifax or other credit agencies
5. Hire an expert attorney (like Bryce) who can professionally represent your case.

Closing Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

"If you’re on MATCH and you have a merchant account—don’t mess it up. Be grateful and stay compliant," Allen advises.

If you’re a high-risk business—CBD, adult products, supplements, even advocacy groups like CASA—work with a processor who understands your business.

 

Need Help?

At Nationwide Payment Systems, we help businesses:

• Avoid MATCH
• Navigate chargebacks
• Find backup or full-liability merchant accounts
• Stay compliant with changing rules

Need Legal Help?

Contact Bryce Van De Moere at Global Legal Law Firm

• Email: bvand@attorneyg.com
• Website: globallegallawfirm.com

 

Listen to the Full Episode

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