by lisby1

Question by : What is a high risk merchant account?

Best answer:

Answer by stymiee
Some businesses by their very nature have higher then normal chargeback rates. Sometimes this is due to the product or service offered by the merchant being in high demand but also being high priced (e.g. high end electronic, jewelry, etc.). Sometimes it is because the service causes customers to be misled whether intentionally or not (e.g. multi-level marketing schemes). Regardless of the root cause these businesses will usually find it difficult, if not impossible, to establish a merchant account.

The businesses considered to be high risk will vary from merchant account provider to provider. However, there are some businesses and industries that are consistently considered high risk. This list includes:

* Adult Book Stores
* Adult Entertainment
* Adult Novelties
* Adult Video Stores
* Advanced Sales
* Check Cashing Services
* Child Pornography
* Collection Agencies
* Credit Repair Services
* Dating/Escort
* Diet Marketers/Programs
* Exotic Dancing Establishments
* Multi-level Marketing
* Pharmacies (Card Not Present/Internet)
* Pornography
* Sexual Encounter Firms
* Telemarketing
* Time Share
* Travel Clubs/Tours/Guides
* Vacation Packages

For these businesses to accept credit cards they typically have to turn to high risk merchant account providers. These companies are typically off shore and always charge higher rates then traditional merchant account providers. Rates can go as high as 20% of sales and some may charge set up fees of $ 1,000 or higher. The reason why these rates and fees are so high is the high risk merchant account provider needs to make sure they make enough money to cover the costs of the high number of chargebacks they will receive.

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