SCAM ALERT - Merchant Express & Concord EFS

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Hey Guys,

Figured I would post this to make you aware of something Merchant Express and Concord EFS Data Processing did yesterday.

I had done a seminar about 2 weeks ago in Roanoke ,VA for Electricians for Continued Education and I believe the final charge amount was $ 2,500.00 in charges for the seminar.

I noticed after about 1 week no funds were going into our bank account, so I called them and here is what they said...

" We have decided that doing visa and mastercard for seminars or away from a physical location is too risky and we are cancelling your account. " I am guessing they mean ALL vehicle type transaction business ventures as well.....but here is the kicker...

When I asked them about the $ 2,500.00 in funds they said point blank " oh we are keeping that and you get none of it " ...point blank from a customer support rep in Concord EFS Risk Management - his name is Noah...

So basically we did a seminar for FREE.....bet my hospital bills are not free ( over $ 25,000 worth )......

So.......be CAUTIOUS when dealing with merchant account systems, and in my opinion deal with a local bank you are used to dealing with...thats where I have gone back to.....my local bank that has my other merchant accounts...

If it is cheap.....probably is CHEAP....

The companies to steer clear of are ; Concord EFS Processing, Pipeline Date and Merchant Express ( www.merchantexpress.com )

I learned my lesson.....just dont want any of you to learn it as well.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Paul,

If possible, contact as many of the customers that paid by CC and tell them to dispute their charge.

I had a similar issue with my merchant account. I eventually got all of my money, closed the merchant account and kept their equipment.

My case was a bit different in that there was some fraud involved on the part of my merchant account manager. That's why I kept the equipment where all of the transactions were stored internally.