Running a business is always challenging, but when you find yourself blacklisted on the MATCH list (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) or the Terminated Merchant File (TMF), it can become even tougher, especially when you need to continue to accept customer payments on your merchant account.
If you are listed, getting a new merchant account is not impossible, but it requires preparation, transparency, and choosing the right partners. In this article, we explain how blacklisted businesses can still open a merchant account in 2025, and share real-world examples to show you that recovery is possible.
What are the Match List and TMF?
Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand what the MATCH list and TMF are:
- MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants): it is a database maintained by Mastercard. It records businesses that have had their merchant accounts terminated for reasons like fraud, excessive chargebacks, bankruptcy, or violation of rules.
- TMF (Terminated Merchant File): It is a similar database originally maintained by Visa. While the two systems are closely related, MATCH has become the dominant one in 2025.
If your business name, owner name, or Tax ID appears in MATCH or TMF, traditional banks and processors will immediately reject your application for a new merchant account.
However, being on MATCH is not a permanent sentence. Many businesses have successfully rebuilt their reputation and reopened merchant accounts after being listed.
Common reasons businesses are blacklisted
Some of the most frequent reasons for ending up on MATCH or TMF include:
- Excessive chargebacks (more than 1% of transactions)
- Evidence of fraud
- Violation of card network rules
- Bankruptcy or insolvency
- Merchant collusion or identity theft
For example, in 2023, a US-based health supplement company, NatureBoost LLC, was placed on the MATCH list after experiencing a chargeback ratio of 3% over six months. However, after restructuring its refund policy and customer service practices, it was able to reapply through a high-risk processor within a year.
Understanding why you were blacklisted is the first step towards fixing the situation.
Steps to open a merchant account after being blacklisted
Opening a new merchant account if you are on MATCH or TMF in 2025 is possible if you follow these steps carefully:
1. Identify the exact reason you were listed
Request a detailed explanation from your previous payment processor or bank. You are entitled to know the reason for the termination under the card network rules.
Once you know the exact category you were matched for (there are 13 MATCH categories, such as fraud, PCI non-compliance, chargebacks, etc.), you can build a plan to correct the issue.
2. Correct the problem
Before applying again, fix the underlying problem:
- If chargebacks were the issue, set up better billing descriptors, refund policies, and customer service.
- If it was fraud-related, implement advanced fraud prevention tools (3D Secure, address verification, etc.).
- If it was PCI non-compliance, update your security protocols immediately.
For example, EZTickets, an online ticket reseller in Canada, managed to get removed from the MATCH list by installing an AI-based fraud detection system and demonstrating six consecutive months of clean processing data to a new processor.
3. Find a High-Risk merchant account provider
Traditional banks will not approve blacklisted businesses. Instead, you need a high-risk merchant account provider. These are specialized companies that work with industries and businesses that regular banks avoid.
Some reputable high-risk providers in 2025 include:
When applying, be honest about your MATCH status upfront. High-risk providers appreciate transparency and will assess your situation more positively if you are forthcoming.
4. Prepare strong documentation
Expect to provide the following documents:
- Previous processing history (even if terminated)
- Business bank statements
- Proof of chargeback reduction plans
- Updated financial statements
- Website with clear terms of service, refund policies, and privacy policy
The goal is to show that your business is now stable, reliable, and ready to handle transactions responsibly.
5. Offer a reserve account
Many high-risk processors will require you to set up a reserve account, a portion of your sales held back to cover potential chargebacks or disputes.
This is normal and should not discourage you. Over time, if your chargeback ratios stay low, the reserve amount can be reduced or eliminated.
Some success stories
1. NatureBoost LLC (United States)
After being MATCH-listed for excessive chargebacks related to subscription supplements, NatureBoost redesigned its checkout process to require explicit customer opt-ins and visible cancellation buttons.
Within nine months, they partnered with a high-risk processor and re-established their ability to accept credit card payments.
2. EZTickets (Canada)
EZTickets was placed on MATCH in 2022 due to suspected ticket scalping activities. By installing an AI-based fraud detection tool, tightening ID verification for buyers, and hiring a legal consultant specializing in merchant services, they were able to get off MATCH by mid-2024.
They now process payments through a Luxembourg-based high-risk acquiring bank.
3. CryptoSmart (Europe)
CryptoSmart, a crypto trading platform, was added to MATCH under “illegal activity” suspicion during 2021 due to unclear compliance reporting.
After partnering with a new legal compliance firm and introducing full KYC/AML procedures, they were able to open a merchant account through a crypto-friendly high-risk processor by 2025.
These stories show that with the right strategy, businesses can recover and succeed even after setbacks.
Key tips for success
- Be transparent: always disclose MATCH status upfront.
- Focus on chargeback prevention: aim for a ratio below 1% over at least three months.
- Work with specialists: choose processors and legal advisors who specialize in high-risk industries.
- Strengthen compliance: update your business processes to match card network rules.
- Patience pays off: getting approval might take several weeks longer than a normal merchant account, but persistence usually leads to success.
How long does MATCH stay on record?
Typically, MATCH listings stay on the database for five years. However, if the original bank or processor agrees that the issue has been corrected, they can request removal sooner.
It is worth contacting your previous processor after correcting the issue to request early removal.
Bottom Line
Being on the MATCH list or TMF is serious, but not permanent. With transparency, preparation, and choosing the right partners, your business can open a new merchant account even after being blacklisted.
Thousands of businesses every year recover from MATCH and go on to grow bigger than before. The key is to take the right steps, work with experienced high-risk processors, and maintain strong business practices going forward. Thinking globally and preparing professionally is no longer optional; it is the foundation for future growth.
If you need professional help opening a merchant account after MATCH, contact our team today.
Explore our latest article: “High-Risk Merchant Accounts – Pros and Cons.” Gain valuable insights into navigating the high-risk payments landscape.
Disclaimer
Widelia and its affiliates do not provide tax, investment, legal or accounting advice. Material on this page has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, investment, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. Please consult https://widelia.com/disclaimer/ for more information.
