MATCH List & TMF Explained for Merchants

The MATCH list (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) is a database maintained by Mastercard that identifies merchants whose accounts have been terminated by a payment processor. When a business is placed on the MATCH list, most processors will decline their application for a new merchant account — making it extremely difficult to accept credit card payments. The list was formerly known as the TMF (Terminated Merchant File).

Compliance officer at desk reviewing a MATCH List Alert notification on monitor

What Is the MATCH List?

The MATCH list is an industry-wide blacklist. When a processor terminates a merchant for cause (excessive chargebacks, fraud, violation of card network rules), they report that merchant to the MATCH database. Other processors then check the MATCH list when reviewing new applications.

Being on the MATCH list doesn't mean you broke the law. Many merchants are added for:

Exceeding chargeback thresholds (over 1% ratio)
PCI compliance violations
Account terms violations
Identity misrepresentation on the application
Excessive refund ratios

MATCH entries remain on file for 5 years.

MATCH List Reason Codes

Mastercard assigns a reason code when a merchant is added to MATCH:

Code	Reason	Description
01	Account Data Compromise	Cardholder data was compromised
02	Common Point of Purchase	Merchant was identified as a fraud CPP
03	Laundering	Payment processing for another business
04	Excessive Chargebacks	Chargeback ratio exceeded thresholds
05	Excessive Fraud	Fraud rate exceeded thresholds
07	Fraud Conviction	Merchant principal convicted of fraud
08	Mastercard Questionable	Violation of Mastercard standards
09	Bankruptcy/Liquidation	Business filed for bankruptcy
10	Violation of Standards	Violation of card network operating rules
11	Merchant Collusion	Collusion with cardholders for fraudulent transactions
12	PCI Non-Compliance	Failed to meet PCI DSS requirements
13	Illegal Transactions	Processing illegal products or services
14	Identity Theft	Merchant identity was stolen

How to Check If You're on the MATCH List

You cannot check the MATCH list yourself — only acquiring banks and registered ISOs have access. However, there are signs:

Your previous processor terminated your account and cited chargebacks, fraud, or violations
New processor applications are being declined with no clear reason
Multiple processors have rejected you after initial approval

The fastest way to find out is to apply for a merchant account through a high-risk specialist like Unison. We check the MATCH list during underwriting and can tell you your status and reason code.

How to Get a Merchant Account on the MATCH List

Being on the MATCH list doesn't mean you can never accept cards again. It means you need a processor that specializes in high-risk and MATCH list merchants:

1. Work with a high-risk specialist — Unison Payment has banking relationships that accept MATCH-listed merchants. Not every MATCH reason code is treated the same — reason code 04 (excessive chargebacks) is viewed very differently from code 03 (laundering).

2. Prepare your documentation — Show what caused the termination and what you've done to fix it. If chargebacks were the issue, demonstrate the prevention tools you've implemented. If compliance was the issue, show your updated policies.

3. Accept modified terms initially — MATCH-listed merchants may face higher processing rates, rolling reserves, or volume caps initially. As you build a clean processing history, these terms can be renegotiated.

4. Implement prevention measures — Chargeback alerts (Ethoca, Verifi), fraud screening, clear billing descriptors, and transparent refund policies demonstrate to underwriters that the previous issues won't recur.

How to Avoid Getting on the MATCH List

Prevention is far easier than removal:

Keep chargebacks below 1% — use alerts and prevention tools
Maintain PCI compliance — complete your annual SAQ
Use clear billing descriptors — so customers recognize charges
Process only your own transactions — never process payments for another business
Be truthful on applications — misrepresentation is a MATCH-eligible offense

Unison Helps MATCH-Listed Merchants

We've helped hundreds of merchants who were placed on the MATCH list get back to processing. Our approach:

1. Review your MATCH entry (reason code and original processor) 2. Assess what's changed since the termination 3. Present your case to acquiring banks that work with MATCH merchants 4. Set up processing with appropriate risk management tools 5. Build clean history to improve your terms over time

On the MATCH list? Contact Unison — we can help →

Related resources:

High-Risk Merchant Account Guide — getting approved for high-risk processing
Chargeback Prevention Guide — keep your ratios low
MATCH List for Peptide Merchants — industry-specific guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MATCH list in credit card processing?▼

The MATCH list (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) is a database maintained by Mastercard that records merchants whose accounts have been terminated by a payment processor. When a merchant is on the MATCH list, most processors will decline their application for a new merchant account. Entries remain for 5 years. It was formerly called the TMF (Terminated Merchant File).

How do I check if I am on the MATCH list?▼

You cannot directly access the MATCH list — only acquiring banks and registered ISOs can search it. The fastest way to check is to apply for a merchant account through a processor like Unison that specializes in high-risk merchants. During underwriting, we check the MATCH database and can inform you of your status and the specific reason code.

Can I get a merchant account if I am on the MATCH list?▼

Yes. Being on the MATCH list makes it harder but not impossible. High-risk specialists like Unison work with acquiring banks that accept MATCH-listed merchants. The key factors are your reason code, what caused the original termination, and what you have done to address those issues. Reason code 04 (excessive chargebacks) is much easier to work with than codes involving fraud.

How long does the MATCH list last?▼

MATCH list entries remain active for 5 years from the date the merchant was added. After 5 years, the entry is automatically removed. There is no process to get removed early — the 5-year period is fixed by Mastercard policy. However, you can obtain a new merchant account before the 5 years expire by working with a high-risk processor.

What is the difference between the MATCH list and TMF?▼

They are the same thing. TMF (Terminated Merchant File) was the original name. Mastercard rebranded it to MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) in 2016. Both terms refer to the same database of terminated merchants maintained by Mastercard.

Tagged:

match listtmfterminated merchant filehigh-riskmerchant account

NC

Natalie Cloez

Director of Merchant Services, Unison Payment Solutions

Natalie Cloez oversees merchant onboarding and compliance at Unison Payment Solutions, specializing in high-risk industries and chargeback prevention.