What the MATCH list is
MATCH — Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants — is a database maintained by Mastercard. It is used by acquiring banks and payment processors as part of the merchant underwriting process.
When an acquiring bank terminates a merchant account for cause — meaning the account was closed due to a violation, policy breach, or significant risk event — the bank is required to report certain information to the MATCH database. This information is then visible to other acquiring banks and processors when reviewing future merchant applications.
The MATCH list exists to protect acquiring banks and the card networks from merchants who have demonstrated significant compliance or financial risk — enabling the industry to share this information across institutions.
MATCH vs TMF
TMF (Terminated Merchant File) is an older name for the same database. You may encounter both terms used interchangeably in the payments industry. For practical purposes, they refer to the same system. The current official name, as used by Mastercard, is MATCH.
How merchants get listed
Merchants are added to the MATCH list by the acquiring bank that terminated their account. The reporting bank assigns a reason code explaining why the termination occurred.
Important characteristics of MATCH listings:
- •Merchants typically do not receive advance notice that they are being listed
- •The listing is triggered by the acquiring bank, not by the merchant
- •Mastercard requires acquiring banks to report certain termination events
- •Principal owners of listed businesses may also be individually listed
- •Entries remain on the MATCH list for five years from the date of listing
MATCH reason codes
Each MATCH listing is assigned a reason code. Common codes include:
| Code | Reason |
|---|---|
| 01 | Account data compromise The merchant was involved in a payment card data breach or unauthorized data access. |
| 02 | Common points of purchase The merchant was identified as a common point where fraudulent cards were used. |
| 03 | Laundering The merchant was terminated for transaction laundering (processing payments for another undisclosed business). |
| 04 | Excessive chargebacks The merchant's chargeback rate exceeded the payment network's acceptable thresholds. |
| 05 | Excessive fraud The merchant generated excessive fraud activity as reported by the card network. |
| 07 | Fraud conviction A principal owner was convicted of a fraud-related crime. |
| 08 | Mastercard questionable merchant audit program The merchant was terminated as part of a network compliance program. |
| 09 | Bankruptcy / insolvency / liquidation The merchant filed for bankruptcy, was declared insolvent, or went into liquidation. |
| 10 | Violation of standards The merchant violated payment card network standards or rules. |
| 11 | Merchant collusion with fraud The merchant cooperated with or facilitated fraudulent activity. |
| 12 | PCI noncompliance The merchant was found to be in significant non-compliance with PCI DSS requirements. |
| 13 | Illegal transactions The merchant processed transactions for illegal goods or services. |
| 14 | Identity theft The merchant was involved in identity theft. |
Source: Mastercard published MATCH reason codes. Verify current codes directly with Mastercard documentation.
Impact on merchant applications
Most acquiring banks and standard payment processors check the MATCH database during merchant underwriting. A MATCH listing typically results in automatic decline by processors with standard risk policies.
Being on the MATCH list does not permanently prevent a merchant from ever obtaining card processing. However, it significantly narrows the options. Merchants in this situation generally need to:
- •Be transparent about MATCH status when applying — concealing it is grounds for termination if discovered
- •Seek specialist processors or acquiring banks experienced with MATCH-listed merchants
- •Expect higher pricing, stricter reserve requirements, and more documentation scrutiny
- •Address the underlying issue that caused the listing, if possible
- •Wait for the five-year expiration if the listing cannot be removed
What to verify before applying again
A MATCH listing does not provide enough information to predict an approval decision. Before submitting another application, document the listing reason, the business model you are applying under, and the processor-specific requirements that may affect the review.
Prepare your application
Review documents and questions that can surface during higher-complexity underwriting.
Research higher-complexity providers
Start with published provider research, then confirm your own situation directly.
Understand processor restrictions
See how a provider-specific rejection can differ from a MATCH listing.
What to do if listed
If you discover you are on the MATCH list — either through a declined application or by checking directly — consider the following steps:
Confirm the listing
Contact the acquiring bank that originally terminated your account. Ask for written confirmation of the MATCH listing, the reason code, and the listing date.
Understand the reason code
The reason code tells you why you were listed. Understanding this is necessary before taking any action.
Assess whether the listing was correct
If the listing is factually accurate, understand the five-year timeline and what steps you can take to be transparent in future applications.
If you believe it was an error, dispute it
Contact the listing bank. If they agree the listing was made in error, they can submit a correction request to Mastercard. This process can take months.
Consult a qualified attorney
MATCH disputes and the implications for future processing involve legal and regulatory complexity. A qualified attorney experienced in payments law can help navigate the process.
What to do if incorrectly listed
If you believe you were listed on the MATCH database in error, the process is:
- 1.Contact the acquiring bank that placed you on the list. They are the only entity that can submit a removal request.
- 2.Present documentation supporting your claim that the listing was made in error.
- 3.If the bank agrees, they submit a correction request to Mastercard.
- 4.If the bank does not agree, consult a payments attorney about your options.
- 5.Mastercard provides a dispute process for merchants who believe they were listed in error — your attorney can guide you through this.
Not legal advice
ProcessorFit does not provide legal advice. The MATCH dispute process involves legal and regulatory considerations. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Next steps
Related pages
Methodology & sources
Sources checked
- Mastercard MATCH program documentation, checked July 2026
- ProcessorFit research interpretation based on public provider documentation
Verification note
MATCH program rules, dispute procedures, listing criteria, and retention periods are governed by Mastercard's program documentation, which is subject to change. Consult a qualified attorney for MATCH-related disputes or removal requests.
Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. MATCH list disputes involve legal complexity — consult a qualified attorney. ProcessorFit does not guarantee approval or eligibility with any provider and does not advise on methods to evade underwriting review.
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