What is Mastercard MATCH?

A shared database used by acquirers to screen merchants terminated for risk/compliance reasons. Listings generally last 5 years and are submitted/removed by acquiring banks.

How long do MATCH listings last?

Typically 5 years; removal usually requires listing acquirer remediation or error correction.

Can I accept payments while on MATCH?

Yes, many merchants use MoR providers or USDC rails while working on traditional recovery.

What are the most common MATCH reason codes?

Code 04 (Excessive Chargebacks), Code 05 (Excessive Fraud), and Code 12 (PCI Non-Compliance) are the most frequent reasons for MATCH listings.

What are my options for payment processing while MATCH-listed?

Three main paths: 1) Merchant of Record services (85-95% success, 1-3 weeks), 2) High-risk acquirers (65-80% success, 2-6 weeks), 3) Cryptocurrency/USDC acceptance (95%+ success, 24-48 hours).

How can I prevent getting MATCH-listed?

Keep chargeback rates under 0.65%, maintain PCI compliance, use clear billing descriptors, implement 3DS authentication, and monitor dispute trends proactively.

MATCH List: What It Is, How To Avoid It, How To Recover

What is the MATCH List?

The MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) list is a database maintained by Mastercard that contains information about merchant accounts terminated by acquiring banks. This database is used by financial institutions to screen potential merchants and identify high-risk businesses.

⚠️ Critical Impact

Being listed on MATCH makes it extremely difficult to obtain traditional card processing for 5 full years. Most acquiring banks will automatically decline applications from MATCH-listed merchants.

5

Years on MATCH

14

Reason Codes

95%

Application Rejections

Common MATCH Reason Codes

04 - Excessive Chargebacks

Most common reason. Triggered when dispute rates exceed 1% or 100+ disputes per month.

05 - Excessive Fraud

High levels of fraudulent transactions detected on the merchant account.

12 - PCI Non-Compliance

Failure to maintain PCI DSS compliance standards for card data security.

13 - Illegal Transactions

Processing payments for illegal goods or services.

Prevention Strategies

Keep Your Dispute Rate Low

Monitor daily: Track dispute rates and fraud indicators
Target under 0.65%: Stay well below the 1% threshold
Use 3DS authentication: Shift liability for authenticated transactions
Implement RDR: Rapid Dispute Resolution for auto-accept under $100

Maintain PCI Compliance

Complete annual SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire)
Use hosted payment pages when possible (SAQ-A)
Never store card data unnecessarily
Regular vulnerability scanning

✅ Prevention Success Rate

Merchants who maintain dispute rates under 0.65% and full PCI compliance have a 98%+ success rate avoiding MATCH listings.

Recovery Options If Already Listed

Merchant of Record (MoR)

Success Rate: 85-95%

Process under another entity's merchant account. Setup time: 1-3 weeks.

FastSpring (digital goods)
Paddle (SaaS/software)
2Checkout (international)

High-Risk Acquirers

Success Rate: 65-80%

Specialized processors for high-risk merchants. Setup time: 2-6 weeks.

Durango Merchant Services
PaymentCloud
EMB (Electronic Merchant Systems)

Cryptocurrency (USDC)

Success Rate: 95%+

Accept stable coin payments directly. Setup time: 24-48 hours.

Immediate availability
No chargeback risk
Growing merchant adoption

Traditional Appeals Process

Success Rate: 5-15% - MATCH removal through formal dispute process is rare but possible if you can prove the listing was made in error or provide compelling evidence of remediation.

Timeline & Success Rates

Week 1-2: Assessment

Analyze MATCH reason, gather documentation, evaluate recovery options based on business model and transaction volume.

Week 2-4: Applications

Submit applications to 3-5 high-success providers simultaneously. MoR applications typically approved fastest.

Week 4-8: Integration

Complete onboarding, integrate payment systems, test transaction flow, and resume business operations.

MATCH List: Prevention & Recovery Guide