MATCH List

What MATCH stands for

MATCH stands for Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants. It's a Mastercard database, sometimes called the Terminated Merchant File (TMF). Acquiring banks add a business to it when they close its merchant account for specific reasons, and they check it when reviewing new applications.

Common reasons for a listing

• Excessive chargebacks or fraud
• Fraud or illegal activity
• Laundering transactions for another business
• Violating card network rules
• Bankruptcy or inability to cover losses

How long a listing lasts

A MATCH listing generally stays for five years. Removal before then usually happens only if the bank that added the business agrees the listing was made in error.

Can you get a merchant account while listed?

It's harder, and many processors won't approve a listed business. Some specialists in high-risk merchant accounts will review the circumstances. Being upfront about the listing and explaining what has changed gives an application its best chance. Our step-by-step guide explains how to get a merchant account after a MATCH listing.