The MATCH list or the Terminated Merchant File (TMF) is a list of merchants who have previously had their merchant accounts terminated for one of the reasons listed below. This list was initially created by MasterCard to help ISOs and acquiring banks in their underwriting process.
Merchants that find themselves on this list can have a hard time finding payment processing options as they are immediately considered high risk. Unfortunately if you find yourself on this list, the only way to get removed is to convince the provider that put you there to take you off.
Another component of the MATCH list is a code showing the reason a merchant was added to the list. Below are some of the most common examples.
MATCH CODE – REASON
Description
01 – Account Data Compromise
The account data was accessed without authorization
02 – Common Point of Purchase
The account data was stolen and used for fraud with other merchants
03 – Laundering
The merchant used card not present transaction to launder money
04 – Excessive Chargebacks
The merchant passed the agreed upon chargeback ratio
05 – Excessive Fraud
The merchant had an unacceptable fraud-to-sales ratio
07 – Fraud Conviction
The business owner has been convicted of fraud
08 – MasterCard questionable merchant audit program
MasterCard considers the merchant a questionable merchant based on their own specific guidelines
09 – Bankruptcy/Liquidation/Insolvency
The merchant has remaining financial obligations
10 – Violation of Standards
The merchant was found to be violating one of the card network’s regulations
11 – Merchant Collusion
The merchant colluded to perform fraudulent activity
12 – PCI-DSS non-compliance
The merchant didn’t comply with PCI-DSS regulations
13 – Illegal Transactions
The merchant has processed illegal transactions
14 – Identity Theft
The merchant was operating with a stolen identity
If you have any more question on the MATCH list, feel free to call us any time at: (800) 805-4949
