Question 1

What is MATCH / VMSS?

Accepted Answer

MATCH (Mastercard Alert to Control High-risk Merchants) and VMSS (Visa Merchant Screening Service) are industry databases maintained by Mastercard and Visa respectively. They record merchants whose accounts have been terminated for risk-related reasons such as excessive chargebacks, fraud, or policy violations. When a payment service provider or acquirer terminates a merchant account under qualifying conditions, they are required to report that merchant to MATCH or VMSS. A listing on either database can severely restrict your ability to open a new merchant account with most acquirers and payment processors worldwide, because those providers check these databases during onboarding.

Question 2

How long do you stay on the MATCH or VMSS list?

Accepted Answer

A MATCH listing typically remains active for five years from the date it was added. A VMSS listing also remains for up to five years. However, a listing can be removed before that period expires if the original acquirer who placed the listing submits a formal removal request to Mastercard or Visa and it is approved. This is why submitting a well-prepared removal request as early as possible is important — every month on the list is a month where opening new payment processing is significantly harder.

Question 3

How do I know if I am on MATCH or VMSS?

Accepted Answer

You cannot check the MATCH or VMSS databases directly as a merchant — access is restricted to acquirers and payment service providers. The most common way merchants discover they are listed is when a new PSP or bank declines their merchant account application and mentions MATCH or VMSS as the reason. You can also contact the PSP that terminated your account and ask them directly whether they submitted a MATCH or VMSS report. If you received a termination notice, review it carefully for references to Mastercard MATCH or Visa VMSS.

Question 4

Who put me on the MATCH or VMSS list?

Accepted Answer

Only the acquirer or payment service provider that terminated your merchant account can add you to MATCH or VMSS. Mastercard and Visa themselves do not add merchants directly — it is always the reporting acquirer. The most straightforward way to find out is to contact the PSP that terminated your account and ask whether they submitted a MATCH or VMSS report and under which reason code. If you have worked with multiple PSPs, any one of them could be the reporting party.

Question 5

Can you guarantee removal?

Accepted Answer

No. The decision to remove a listing rests entirely with the original acquirer who placed it, and ultimately with Mastercard or Visa. We cannot guarantee that a removal request will be approved, and no legitimate service can make that promise. What we can do is help you prepare the most credible, structured, and professionally worded request possible — one that directly addresses the reason code, demonstrates genuine remediation, and speaks the language that PSP risk teams expect. A well-prepared request materially improves your chances compared to an informal or incomplete one.

Question 6

Who sends the removal request?

Accepted Answer

We draft and submit the removal request to your PSP or acquirer on your behalf. The request is addressed to the risk or compliance department of the acquirer that listed you. That risk team then performs an internal review and communicates the outcome to you directly. We act as an independent submission service — we are not affiliated with Mastercard, Visa, or any card network. You remain responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide, and the final decision on removal rests with the acquirer.

Question 7

How does the process work?

Accepted Answer

You complete our step-by-step questionnaire, providing details about your business, the listing, the root cause, and the corrective actions you have taken. We use that information to draft a tailored, professionally structured removal request letter. Once you complete payment, we submit the letter to your PSP's risk team. The risk team then reviews the request and contacts you with their decision. The entire drafting and submission process typically takes less than an hour on your side.

Question 8

What documents are typically required?

Accepted Answer

The supporting evidence expected varies by PSP and by the MATCH or VMSS reason code that applies to your listing. Commonly requested items include updated refund and return policies, evidence of improved chargeback or dispute ratios, PCI DSS compliance certificates, customer support process documentation, proof of identity and business registration, and any audits or third-party assessments you have undergone. Our questionnaire includes an attachment section where you can link to or describe the evidence you have, so the request letter can reference it appropriately.

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