How to Get Off the MATCH List (Mastercard TMF Guide)
- January 7, 2022
What Is the MATCH List? (Formerly TMF)
The MATCH list (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) is Mastercard’s internal blacklist of high-risk merchants. It flags businesses for serious issues like fraud, chargebacks, PCI violations, or bankruptcy, preventing them from opening new merchant accounts for up to 5 years.
Quick Facts: TL;DR for MATCHed Merchants
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | MATCH List (formerly TMF) |
| Maintained By | Mastercard |
| Duration of Placement | 5 years (unless removed early) |
| Causes | Fraud, excessive chargebacks, PCI non-compliance, bankruptcy, etc. |
| Removal Possibility | Only via correction, sponsor appeal, or error rectification |
| Can You Open a Merchant Account? | Rarely—requires high-risk processors or offshore accounts |
| Legal Help Recommended? | Yes, for error appeals and sponsor bank negotiations |
Step-by-Step: How to Get Off the MATCH List
1. Identify the MATCH Reason Code
- Request your MATCH report from a payment processor or acquirer.
- Look for the specific reason code (01–14) indicating your violation.
2. Analyze Your MATCH Violation
- Determine if the listing was due to fraud, chargebacks, PCI violations, etc.
- Note: Some codes are non-removable unless there’s a mistake.
3. Correct the Root Cause
- Fix chargeback ratios, get PCI compliance certificates, resolve fraud alerts.
- Secure documentation to prove corrections.
4. Contact the Former Acquirer
- Submit your appeal with supporting documents to the acquiring bank who placed you on the list.
- Request a formal review and potential removal request submission to Mastercard.
5. Seek Legal Counsel for Complex Cases
- If denied, hire a MATCH list attorney to escalate to legal negotiation or arbitration.
6. Explore Alternative Payment Solutions
- Consider high-risk processors or offshore accounts for temporary solutions while appealing.
Mastercard MATCH Reason Codes (01–14) and Removal Notes
| Code | Reason | Removable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Account Data Compromise | Yes | Prove breach mitigation and PCI remediation |
| 02 | Common Point of Purchase | Sometimes | Requires forensic evidence of error |
| 03 | Laundering | No | Rarely reversed, seen as high fraud risk |
| 04 | Fraud (Merchant Collusion) | No | Difficult to dispute; legal defense may help |
| 05 | Excessive Chargebacks | Yes | Must reduce chargebacks and show evidence |
| 06 | Excessive Fraud | Yes | Demonstrate fraud prevention improvements |
| 07 | Fraud Conviction | No | Legal history often irreversible |
| 08 | Mastercard Questionable Merchant Audit Program | Case-by-case | Often subjective; attorney help vital |
| 09 | Bankruptcy/Liquidation | Rarely | Legal remedy may be required |
| 10 | Violation of Standards | Yes | Fix violations; submit proof to bank |
| 11 | Merchant Collusion | No | Requires strong legal argument for appeal |
| 12 | PCI DSS Non-Compliance | Yes | Provide compliance certificate |
| 13 | Illegal Transactions | No | Often non-removable; requires legal aid |
| 14 | Identity Theft | Yes | Prove identity theft, provide police and forensic documentation |
Industry-Specific Considerations for MATCHed Merchants
Crypto
- Flagged frequently under Codes 05, 06, and 10 due to volatile chargebacks and unclear regulation.
- Consider offshore or specialist crypto-friendly processors.
Gambling
- Often flagged under Codes 10 or 13.
- Regulatory licensure and clear KYC policies can support appeals.
Adult Entertainment
- Commonly flagged for fraud, chargebacks, or PCI issues (Codes 05, 06, 12).
- Requires strong documentation and privacy policies.
Forex
- MATCH codes often relate to non-compliance and transaction laundering (Codes 03, 10).
- Work with attorneys experienced in financial services law.
CBD / Supplements
- May be flagged under Code 10 or 13 due to legality confusion.
- Compliance documentation is critical.
Have a MATCH TMF issue?
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Mastercard’s MATCH List Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding MATCH.
The MATCH list allows credit card processors, banks, and merchant service providers to list merchants whose accounts are high-risk or have been terminated for violating Mastercard’s reason codes. Other processors can then search the list to find out if a merchant is blacklisted before signing an agreement. This makes it difficult for flagged merchants to process payments and find new service providers.
The MATCH list (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) is a database managed by Mastercard to help acquiring banks screen flagged merchants.
If you’re on the list, it’s usually because a previous processor or acquiring bank reported your business for one or more issues, including excessive chargebacks, identity theft, suspected fraud, transaction laundering, or a violation of bank card rules.
It is possible to determine whether or not you’re on the MATCH list. Simplysend an email to matchbusinessowner@mastercard.com for information as to placement on the MATCH list.
Mastercard may provide information as to:
- Whatentity placed you on the MATCH list;
- Whenyou were placed;and
- The reason code associated with the placement.
If you suspect you’ve been added in error or want to seek removal from the list, you can get legal support to help you make your case.
Our team of electronic payment experts will investigate your listing, contact the appropriate institutions, and dispute any wrongful placement.
Yes, Visa has its version of the MATCH list, called the Terminated Merchant File (TMF).
Although the names differ, the purpose is the same: to track businesses whose merchant accounts were terminated for fraud, excessive chargebacks, or violations of card network rules.
Whether you’re flagged under Visa TMF or Mastercard MATCH, the consequences are similar.
Our legal team is experienced in handling both, giving you a better chance of restoring your merchant processing access.
When you’re added to the MATCH list, a reason code is assigned based on your issue or violation. Here are what Mastercard’s reason codes mean:
- 01. Account Data Compromise: The merchant’s systems were breached, leading to the exposure of cardholder data.
- 02. Common Point of Purchase: Account data stolen from the merchant was used fraudulently at other locations.
- 03. Laundering: The merchant was found to have laundered funds or misrepresented the nature of their transactions.
- 04. Excessive Chargebacks: The merchant’s chargeback ratio exceeded acceptable limits, usually exceeding 1% of transactions and $5,000 in total chargeback volume over that same time period.
- 05. Excessive Fraud: The merchant’s account was linked to a high volume of fraudulent transactions.
- 06. Currently not in use.
- 07. Fraud Conviction: The principal owner or partner was convicted of fraud.
- 08. Mastercard Questionable Merchant Audit Program: The merchant was identified as a questionable merchant based on Mastercard rules.
- 09. Bankruptcy/Insolvency: The merchant’s business filed for bankruptcy, entered liquidation, or became otherwise insolvent.
- 10. Violation of Standards: The merchant violated Mastercard’s rules, such as performing prohibited transactions.
- 11. Merchant Collusion: The merchant was involved in fraudulent schemes in coordination with others.
- 12. PCI-DSS Non-Compliance: The merchant failed to meet PCI-DSS security standards for handling cardholder data.
- 13. Illegal Transactions: The merchant processed payments for illegal products or services.
- 14. Identity Theft: The identity of the merchant or its principal owners was assumed either to create a merchant agreement or to use one unlawfully.
Credit card processors and independent sales organizations (ISOs) are the ones who generally place the merchants on the MATCH list. Such processors are in charge of monitoring risk for accounts held by merchants. Information about who is responsible for putting such entities on the MATCH list is not readily available. The card processor who declines the merchant’s application does not provide any information, and the only way to find it out is if the merchant has the MATCH system.
The two most common reasons for MATCH list placement are excessive chargebacks and transaction laundering, which can jeopardize your ability to process payments. You may also be placed on the MATCH list for violating standards, being a victim of identity theft, entering into prohibited and illegitimate transactions, breaching the merchant agreement, committing fraud, or failing to meet the financial obligations resulting from insolvency. You might also land on the MATCH list if there is any proof on record to substantiate that an account has been opened fraudulently.
Unfortunately, sometimes, the reason why you’re placed on the list is totally out of your control, such as when your identity has been stolen and used to open a payment processing account. If a merchant is trying to be removed from the MATCH list, these cases are typically easier to argue than those where the merchant has an excessive chargeback history (in fact).
A competent lawyer at Global Legal can help you discover who has put you on the MATCH list and guide you on how to get off the MATCH list. Innovations in the industry now allow Global Legal the ability to guide you to discover who place you on MATCH list in about one day’s time.
The MATCH list is a blacklist database of merchants or business owners whose accounts have been terminated or have been deemed a significant risk for payment processors during the past five years for any number of reasons.
A MATCH listing typically lasts for five years from the date of entry. During this time, most acquiring banks will see the flag when you apply for a merchant account, making approval extremely difficult.
After five years, Mastercard should automatically remove the listing.
However—unresolved issues, such as unpaid processor fees, unresolved fraud claims, or legal matters, can still be an issue and may affect your ability to open a new merchant account with an acquiring bank.
If you believe you’ve been wrongfully listed or want help to get delisted sooner, our MATCH list attorneys at Global Legal Law Firm can review your situation and advise you on the best course of action.
Yes, early removal is possible! will likely require the assistance of a law firm.
Merchants cannot remove themselves from the MATCH list: only theacquiring bank that added them to the MATCH list can request removal from Mastercard.
These banks rarely (if ever) take this step unless the issue has been fully resolved and the merchant makes a compelling, well-documented case (as an experienced MATCH list removal attorney would).
Most merchants who attempt to get removed on their own tend to find themselves dealing with bank customer service representatives or risk department agents who lack the authority to make removal decisions.
However, a MATCH list attorney can reach out to the appropriate legal departments and leverage industry relationships to effectively advocate on your behalf.
Our MATCH list experts at Global Legal Law Firm help merchants in the following ways:
- Review the listing and identify the official reason code
- Investigate the circumstances that led to the placement
- Communicate directly with the acquiring bank on the merchant’s behalf
- Build and present a strong legal case for early removal
- Escalate disputes when a listing is inaccurate or unjustified
Getting off the MATCH list is a complex process that typically requires professional assistance. Here are the ways merchants can leave the MATCH list:
1. Automatic Removal After 5 Years
Mastercard automatically removes businesses five years after their most recent listing. This removal occurs monthly and is the most common way for merchants to exit the list.
2. Removal Because of Error
If you believe you were placed on the MATCH list mistakenly, you should contact a law firm that specializes in MATCH list removal services.
3. Removal for PCI Compliance (Reason Code 12)
If your listing was because of PCI DSS non-compliance, becoming fully compliant and obtaining verification from a Mastercard-certified forensic assessor can support your case for early removal.
Being added to the MATCH list or the Terminated Merchant File can impact your business operations.
With extensive experience handling MATCH list cases, Global Legal Law Firm has a proven track record of helping businesses exit the MATCH list before the 5-year duration is up.
Our MATCH list attorneys work with you to pinpoint the specific reason for your listing and craft a personalized legal strategy to secure your removal as quickly as possible.
Generally, Global Legal Law Firm is resolving MATCH list removal matters one way or another in a three to six month time frame. The rate at which your matter is resolved is reliant almost entirely on the placing entity.
If you find out you’re on the MATCH list, the first step you should take is to contact a law firm that has expertise in MATCH list removal, such as Global Legal Law Firm. Global’s MATCH team will be able to direct you quickly and expertly towards taking the necessary steps to seek MATCH list removal.
Yes—though typically it will be difficult, as being on the MATCH list labels your business as high risk.
The MATCH list functions as a prohibition list as it denies merchants the ability to obtain processing.
When you’re on the MATCH list, traditional banks are likely to decline your application. However, there are high-risk merchant account providers who are willing to work with MATCH-listed businesses.
You should expect tighter conditions: higher processing fees, rolling reserves, and frequent compliance reviews with these providers.
Global Legal Law Firm can connect you with processors who have been successful getting many MATCH listed merchants up and running with processing.
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