It can be challenging to locate credit card processing companies that are suitable for high-risk businesses. Many well-known merchant account providers do not accept transactions from high-risk businesses, limiting the choices available to merchants with difficulty obtaining merchant accounts.
As a result, merchants may feel forced to work with the first provider willing to accept them rather than seeking out reputable and experienced processors specializing in high-risk merchant accounts.
If you own a business that’s considered high-risk, you may have difficulty finding a merchant account that meets your needs. This article is designed to help you understand what high-risk merchant accounts are and how to choose the right one for your business.
We will provide a detailed explanation of high-risk merchant accounts and their unique requirements, as well as some tips for finding a reputable and reliable payment processor.
Additionally, we will introduce you to six of the best high-risk payment processors currently available, highlighting their key features and benefits. By the end of this article, you should have a good understanding of high-risk merchant accounts and be able to make an informed decision about which payment processor is best for your business.
What Is Considered a High-Risk Merchant?
There are several factors that can lead to a business being classified as a high-risk merchant. Some of the most common reasons include a high number of chargebacks, a high risk of fraud, a low credit score, or operating in a region considered high risk.
When a business is labeled as high-risk, it can be more difficult to find a normal bank or payment processing provider that is willing to work with them. However, many vendors specialize in serving high-risk businesses and can provide the necessary support and services.
It is vital for businesses that are classified as high-risk to carefully research their options and choose a vendor that is reputable and has experience working with similar companies. This can help ensure that the firm has access to the necessary resources and support to succeed.
Best High-Risk Merchant Accounts
Here is our list of the best high-risk merchant accounts out there:
- PaymentCloud
- National Processing
- Host Merchant Services
- eMerchant Broker
- Durango Merchant Services
PaymentCloud
PaymentCloud is a merchant provider based in Woodland Hills, California, that caters to high-risk businesses, including those in the CBD and Kratom industries.
PaymentCloud aims to make it easier for these businesses to accept credit card payments by offering a range of products and services that are tailored to their needs. Some of the solutions they offer include cell phone swipers, digital payment, virtualized terminals, EMV-compatible terminals, and POS systems.
One of the key features of PaymentCloud is their dedication to customer service. Each new merchant is assigned a dedicated account representative for the duration of their account, ensuring that they have access to personalized support and guidance throughout the duration of their account. This can be particularly valuable for high-risk merchants, who may face additional challenges and questions as they navigate the payment processing landscape.
Another advantage of PaymentCloud is their reputation. The company has a good reputation with no negative consumer complaints, indicating that their merchants are generally satisfied with the services they receive. Additionally, PaymentCloud takes a tailored approach to pricing, customizing their rates according to each merchant’s processing history and business type. This helps ensure that merchants receive competitive and fair pricing rather than a one-size-fits-all solution that may not be optimal for their needs.
Overall, PaymentCloud is a reliable and reputable choice for high-risk merchants looking for payment processing solutions tailored to their unique needs.
National Processing
National Processing is a merchant account provider based in Lindon, Utah, that serves businesses of all risk levels, including both low-risk and high-risk merchants. They provide a comprehensive range of payment processing solutions for a wide variety of business types, including automobile parts, collections, credit restoration, eating plans, electronic cigarettes, electronic components, extended insurance, fantasy sports, financial sectors, weapons, online furniture, multi-level advertising, health supplements, online games, rare metals, self-storage, and travel companies. These solutions are suitable for both traditional retail businesses as well as e-commerce operations and are customized to meet the specific needs of each business type.
One of the critical advantages of National Processing is their extensive experience serving businesses in a wide range of industries. They have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and requirements faced by different types of businesses and can provide tailored solutions that help these businesses succeed. Whether you own a small retail shop or a large e-commerce operation, National Processing has the expertise and resources to support your business’s payment processing needs.
Host Merchant Services
A merchant account provider based in Newark, Delaware that is suitable for most standard business types, as well as high-risk merchants located in the United States. They offer a variety of products and services, including POS solutions with unique offerings for restaurants, beauty salons, professional services, consultants, digital marketing tools, a digital gateway and online terminal, cell phone card reader, loyalty programs, offshore merchant accounts, and merchant cash transfers.
Host Merchant Services has a particular focus on serving e-commerce businesses and understands the unique challenges and requirements that these businesses face. To help e-commerce merchants get started, they offer a free email address and website to new merchants who need them.
In addition to their comprehensive range of payment processing solutions, Host Merchant Services is known for their excellent customer service. They have received overwhelmingly positive reviews on public forums, with many reviewers praising the company’s helpful and responsive customer service team.
Overall, Host Merchant Services is a reliable and reputable choice for businesses of all types, including those that are classified as high-risk.
eMerchant Broker
eMerchantBroker (EMB) is a credit card processing company that specializes in serving high-risk merchants, such as those in the CBD and hemp industry and medical marijuana shops.
While EMB offers high approval odds for these types of businesses, it needs to be more transparent about its pricing for high-risk merchant accounts. Many of EMB’s high-risk merchant accounts require a two-year contract, and there may be early termination fees if you are not enrolled in the Pinwheel gateway.
EMB charges chargeback fees ranging from $20-$45, which may be more or less expensive than Durango’s fees ($25-$30), depending upon the type of your transactions. EMB may be a good option for businesses selling CBD oil, vape pens, extract, or edibles that have difficulty obtaining a merchant account.
However, it is worth noting that PaymentCloud also works with CBD businesses, so it is important to compare fees and ask industry-specific questions before deciding on a provider.
Durango Merchant Services
Durango Merchant Services is among the first and most reputable providers of high-risk payment solutions. It is a well-respected provider of high-risk merchant services with a reputation for integrity, fair rates, and excellent customer service. It uses a quote-based pricing system, which means that fees and rates are not disclosed on its website.
Durango may establish offshore accounts for firms that require them, in addition to cooperating with processors and banks located in the US. Durango Pay, the company’s own payment gateway, is intended for eCommerce merchants and contains primary transaction and security options, as well as an Authorize.Net emulation mode.
Durango provides a variety of countertop terminals that support either EMV and NFC-based payment options, along with the iProcess mobile payment solution, to retail merchants.
For customer support difficulties, each merchant is provided with a specific account manager who could provide a better level of care than a regular customer service agent. Durango stands out above its competitors because of its individualized customer service and flexibility to deal with both domestic and international payment processors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding a credit card processing company suitable for high-risk businesses can be challenging. Many well-known providers only accept transactions from these types of companies, which can limit the options available to merchants with difficulty obtaining merchant accounts.
It is crucial for high-risk merchants to carefully research their options and choose a reputable and experienced vendor that specializes in serving their needs.
This article introduced six of the best high-risk payment processors currently available and highlighted their key features and benefits. These providers include PaymentCloud, National Processing, Host Merchant Services, eMerchant Broker, and Durango Merchant Services. By the end of this article, you should have a good understanding of high-risk merchant accounts and be able to make an informed decision about which payment processor is best for your business.
