If you process card payments online, there’s a critical industry blacklist you need to understand: the MATCH list. Short for Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants, this list can block your access to payment processing and seriously damage your business.At Payment.net, we help merchants navigate the complexities of payment compliance — and staying off the MATCH list is a big part of that. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is the MATCH List?
The MATCH list, maintained by Mastercard, is a database that acquiring banks use to screen merchants who have been terminated for high-risk activity. If a merchant ends up on the MATCH list, it becomes extremely difficult (sometimes impossible) to open a new merchant account.
🧾 Who Uses the MATCH List?
- Acquiring banks: Before onboarding a merchant
- Payment processors: During underwriting
- PSPs and ISOs: As part of due diligence and risk control
Being listed can label your business as high-risk and limit your ability to process card payments globally.
Why Do Merchants Get Added to the MATCH List?
There are 13 specific codes used to classify why a merchant is added to the MATCH list. Some of the most common include:
| Code | Reason |
| 01 | Account Data Compromise |
| 02 | Common Point of Purchase (CPP) |
| 03 | Laundering |
| 04 | Excessive Chargebacks |
| 05 | Excessive Fraud |
| 07 | Fraud Conviction |
| 12 | PCI-DSS Non-Compliance |
⚠️ The most frequent causes are chargeback abuse, fraudulent transactions, and failure to comply with PCI standards.
What Happens If You’re on the MATCH List?
Being listed means you’re flagged as high-risk by the entire card network ecosystem. The impact can include:
- Rejection from merchant account applications
- Higher processing fees
- Mandatory reserves or rolling reserves
- Limited access to mainstream payment processors
It’s like a credit blacklist — but for businesses.
How Long Does a MATCH Listing Last?
Getting listed on the MATCH list isn’t a short-term issue. In most cases, once a merchant is added, they remain on the list for up to five years — unless the acquiring bank that originally flagged them takes action to remove the listing.
💡 Important: Only the acquiring bank that reported you can request removal from the MATCH list, even if the issue has been resolved or your business is now compliant.
How to Avoid Ending Up on the MATCH List
Let’s be clear: prevention is your best defense. Once you’re on the MATCH list, getting off is tough and can severely limit your ability to process payments. Here’s how to stay in the clear:
✅ Keep Chargebacks Under Control
Aim to keep your chargeback rate well below 1%. Review your refund policy, improve customer support, and resolve disputes quickly to avoid red flags.
✅ Maintain PCI-DSS Compliance
Make sure your payment infrastructure complies with PCI-DSS standards. Secure handling of cardholder data is non-negotiable if you want to stay out of trouble.
✅ Avoid Risky or Fraudulent Practices
Don’t get creative with payment routing or reporting. Practices like transaction laundering, hiding sales volume, or splitting tickets can instantly trigger a MATCH listing.
✅ Partner With a Trusted Merchant of Record (MoR)
With Payment.net as your MoR, you benefit from expert compliance management, chargeback mitigation, and fraud prevention systems — so you can focus on growth while we handle the risk.
With Payment.net as your Merchant of Record, we handle compliance, fraud prevention, and chargeback management — so your business stays safe and credible.
Can You Get Off the MATCH List?
Yes — but it’s difficult. You’ll need to:
- Identify the reason for your listing
- Resolve the underlying issue
- Convince the original acquirer to request removal
⚠️ If the acquirer no longer exists, removal may not be possible until the 5-year expiration period ends.
Final Thoughts
The MATCH list is serious — but not a mystery. Knowing how it works helps you protect your merchant status and maintain access to global payment processing.
At Payment.net, we specialize in helping merchants stay compliant and avoid high-risk pitfalls. Whether you’re scaling a SaaS platform or launching a global e-commerce store, our team ensures you’re covered — and far from the MATCH list.
👉 Want expert help with compliance and payments? Talk to us today.
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