Problems You Might Face While Opening A High-Risk Merchant Account
Opening a high-risk merchant account can seem like a great idea if you want to start a business. However, it is essential to understand the consequences that might come if you have not fully prepared for what lies ahead.
When opening this account, you are exposing yourself to the risk of identity theft, and you are also at the risk of having your credit rating go down and getting limited on how much they can charge you.
The article will discover some common problems business owners face with opening a high-risk merchant account at highriskpay.com. These problems may not be as scary as they seem, and solutions exist. Hence, become informed on what difficulties you might face when opening a high-risk merchant account.
A Brief About High-Risk Merchant Account
High-risk merchant accounts are accounts that require more security from online merchants. They offer more protection, such as credit monitoring, credit card fraud alerts, and the ability to freeze and unfreeze payment information. They also assist with cancellations and chargebacks. These accounts are usually not for small business owners who have low transactions but for businesses that have high transactions and have got targeted by fraud, such as credit cards. These accounts typically get marketed to companies and their customers who use a great deal of volume. The higher fees can help offset the added risk in cases where an online business gets hacked, or other types of theft occur because they did not adequately protect themselves.
5 Problems You Might Face While Opening A High-Risk Merchant Account
Opening a high-risk merchant account is not that easy. Banks, and other financial institutions, have strict screening policies and will always want to be sure that you are entitled to open an account. They also need to know where your money is going, what it gets used for, and how it will get paid back. In addition, they need to check if you have any credit history, past due payments, or charge-offs on your credit card(s). However, other than these following are some problems you might face while opening a high-risk merchant account.
1. Identity Theft
Identify the risk, know how to mitigate it, and then do your research. It is all about understanding the risks you are taking, which many banks and businesses won’t disclose, and then determining a plan to help you overcome them. One such type of risk is identity theft. This theft happens when someone steals your personal information, such as your name or address, and uses it to open fraudulent accounts at financial institutions, thereby presenting themselves as you to take over your finances. So, with the intense competition and fraudulent activities, it is essential to take precautions when opening a merchant account.
2. Credit Card Fraud, Chargebacks, And Skimming
Credit card fraud, chargebacks, and skimming are all enormous problems for the small merchant account provider. While the government has introduced several laws to prevent these activities, it’s still somewhat challenging to combat them. The reason why credit cards get ripped so quickly is that they have gotten continually hacked and re-used. Other than this, the biggest problem you face when opening a high-risk merchant account is chargebacks. Chargebacks are when a customer tries to get his money back from the business. Often, these refunds are not legitimate (they’re just too easy to get); therefore, your business loses money, or consumers see fraudulent charges on their accounts.
3. Low Transaction Limits
Transaction limits are one of the biggest problems for anyone setting up a high-risk merchant account. When it comes to the credit card industry, you must make the best of what you have. Several central banks offer the highest limits, but if your funds are insufficient for that type of transaction, you may get restricted from using those cards. And unfortunately, you will most likely lose a lot more during this period than would have been lost if you could use the higher limit. It’s always wise to keep a proper eye on your accounts and monitor them carefully to avoid massive fees that could result in higher-than-expected losses.
4. High Credit Or Debit Card Fees
When you sign up for a new high-risk merchant account, a bank will first ask that you accept their terms and conditions. It means that they’re not only going to sign your business up with them but also set up all the different available services to make your small business as smooth and safe as possible. The most crucial aspect of any merchant account is how much you get charged for using it. High fees and interest rates on debit card transactions can affect the merchant’s cash flow, resulting in many merchants having to close temporarily. So, look out carefully about how much you are getting charged.
5. Low Credit Rating
Banks use credit scores to measure the applicant’s reliability in various transactions. An account with a low credit rating means the bank is unwilling to risk any money on it and will be reluctant to open a merchant account for your business. Companies must obtain a merchant account to exchange funds with customers; banks do not want to place their money on risky ventures. So, an excellent way to improve your credit score is by paying off all your debts before applying for new accounts. It is also essential to ensure that anything included in your credit report is accurate and up-to-date.
Final Thoughts
To open a high-risk merchant account, research the risks involved first. It would help if you considered many factors, including the banking regulations in your country and the level of risk your business represents. So, make sure you know and have understood all the risks associated with it before proceeding with any plans.
It is because there are several scams targeting new merchants. If you don’t take the time to do your homework, you could lose money or expose yourself to potentially lose activities such as chargebacks, cancellation of orders, and many more. Before making any decisions, it is crucial to speak with an experienced financial advisor who could help guide you through the procedure and help minimize the risks of opening a high-risk merchant account.
