Get a Credit Repair Merchant Account with TailoredPay

Get a credit repair merchant account with TailoredPay and accept payments with excellent chargeback protection and low risk of fraud. Fast approvals, high approval rates, built for credit repair businesses.

Get a credit repair merchant account with TailoredPay today.

A specialized merchant account built for credit repair businesses

TailoredPay works with banks that already understand how credit repair businesses charge, bill, and deliver services. Your account is underwritten for recurring payments, delayed results, and regulatory oversight from day one.

You get:

• stable payment processing
• predictable settlements
• unlimited payment volume
• chargeback mitigation
• new merchant account applications approved within 48 hours
• support from people who know the credit repair space and specialize in merchant services for your industry

There is no guessing, no sudden policy changes, no scrambling to move processors mid growth. We provide high risk processing for credit repair businesses like yours, allowing them predictable payouts and no friction.

Why credit repair companies need a high risk merchant account

Credit repair is one of those industries that looks simple from the outside but raises red flags for banks and card networks. You are taking payments for a credit repair services that promise long-term results, often delivered over weeks or months. This is just one of the many reasons the credit repair industry has to work with high risk payment gateways.

Refund disputes are common in credit repair. Clients may expect immediate score changes, even though credit improvement depends on third parties like bureaus and lenders. When results take time or expectations are not aligned, chargebacks tend to follow. From a processor’s point of view, that creates ongoing exposure.

The industry is also heavily regulated. Laws like the Credit Repair Organizations Act set strict rules around disclosures, billing timing, and marketing claims. Processors that do not understand these rules often shut accounts down once activity is reviewed.

Recurring billing adds another layer of risk. Many credit repair businesses charge monthly fees, which increases the chance of disputes if a client forgets they signed up or decides to cancel later.

A high-risk merchant account is built for these situations.

It allows credit repair companies to process payments with banks that already understand the business model, accept the risk profile, and provide tools to manage chargebacks instead of reacting with freezes or sudden terminations.

In short, a credit repair merchant account lets you accept credit card payments without lengthy approvals, chargeback fraud or unpredictable payouts.

Types of credit repair merchant accounts

Not all credit repair businesses charge clients the same way. The right merchant account depends on how you sell, bill, and collect payments.

Card not present merchant accounts

The most common setup for credit repair. Payments are taken online or over the phone, which places these accounts in a higher risk category due to fraud and chargeback exposure.

Recurring billing merchant accounts

Used by credit repair companies that charge monthly fees. These accounts are underwritten specifically for subscription style billing and cancellation related disputes.

Virtual terminal merchant accounts

Ideal for phone based sales teams. Payments are entered manually, which increases scrutiny and requires stronger fraud controls.

ACH and bank transfer processing

Often added alongside card payments to lower processing costs and reduce chargeback risk for ongoing clients.

High risk merchant accounts for regulated services

Designed for credit repair businesses that must follow strict advertising, disclosure, and billing rules. These accounts are approved with those compliance requirements in mind, reducing the risk of shutdowns later.

Choosing the right structure from the start is what keeps payments flowing and cash available as your business grows.

Industries that need high-risk merchant accounts

One of the key drivers of whether or not a business is high-risk is the industry it is in. Industries commonly identified as high-risk and in need of high-risk merchant accounts include:

• Collection agencies
• Dropshipping businesses
• Adult entertainment
• Esports and online gaming
• Dating websites
• Nutraceutical and other supplements
• Psychics
• Moving
• Firearms and ammunition
• Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)
• Website design
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) service providers
• Subscription services
• Travel businesses
• Electronic cigarettes and vaping
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• eHealth and telemedicine
• Large ticket accounts

Of course, the list above isn’t exhaustive. So, what characteristics might make your business high-risk?

• Bad credit- Just like in the personal finance space, businesses with bad credit – or no/limited credit history – may be classified as high-risk.
• Free trials- If your business offers free trials that upgrade to paid subscriptions, it may be a high-risk business.
• Recurring billing- Subscriptions and other forms of recurring billing are often labeled high-risk by traditional payment processors.
• High-ticket sales- Selling high-cost items also means there is a higher cost associated with individual instances of fraud or chargebacks which increases the risk profile of your business.
• High rates of fraud or chargebacks in your industry- As you might expect, if you go into an industry known for higher-than-average fraud or chargebacks, your business is likely to be labeled high-risk.

Pro-tip: If you need help determining if your business is high-risk, contact our team of experts at [email protected] or 1 (888) 599-6482! 

Pros and cons of a high-risk merchant account

Like most things in business, high-risk merchant accounts have pros and cons.

The downsides of high-risk merchant accounts stem from the increased risk to payment processors. After all, if an industry carries more risk, you can expect providers to raise prices to account for it.

So, what are the downsides from the merchant’s perspective?

• Higher fees: All else equal, a high-risk merchant account will have higher fees than a “low-risk” account
• Reserve requirements: Many payment processors will require high-risk businesses to keep a reserve in the account to help mitigate risk. This can tie up some cash flow and reduce short-term liquidity.

Of course, there are also upsides to high-risk merchant accounts – particularly when you partner with a respected payment processor — which include:

• Reliable payment processing for profitable industries – Many of the industries classified as high-risk also offer the opportunity for high profits. By using a high-risk merchant account, you enable your business to collect payments in an industry that has significant upside.
• Scalability– High-risk merchant accounts allow you to collect different types of currency and forms of payment and can scale with your business.
• Chargeback prevention– Let’s face it, no business likes chargebacks, but they are a reality that occur regularly in high-risk industries. Chargeback prevention services can mitigate the risk to your business and give you more control over the refund process.
• Industry expertise– Finding the right payment processing solution isn’t always easy, particularly in high-risk industries. When you choose the right payment processor, you gain a partner that can help you identify the right solutions for your niche. In the long run, this expertise can save you money and mitigate risk to your business.

What to look for in a high-risk merchant account provider

Now that you know what a high-risk merchant account is, how can you find the right provider for your business? There are a few key criteria to consider:

• Pricing & fees: Choosing a payment processor is first and foremost a business decision. Beware of unnecessary fees and high rates that can chip away at your profit margins. We’ll go into more detail on what reasonable high-risk merchant account pricing looks like in the section below.
• Customer service & expertise: Does the provider specialize in high-risk industries? Do they have the relationships with banks that can help get your business the best service possible? When something goes wrong, can you get in contact with a real person who can help? These intangibles can make a world of difference in finding a solution that is the right fit for your unique situation. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all payment processing solution and going with a generalist can cost you in the long run.
• Security: When you choose a payment processor you are trusting them to keep your – and your customers’ – financial data secure. Be sure to only choose providers with a reputation for security that use reliable and secure payment gateways.
• Chargeback prevention and fraud mitigation features: What level of control will the provider give you over the chargeback process? Can you be proactively alerted and choose when to dispute chargebacks? The more control and visibility a provider can offer you, the better you can manage the risk. Similarly, do they have features like 3-domain structure (3D secure) in place to help you prevent fraud?
• Application process & speed: Will it take days or weeks for your account to get approved? Ideally, a quality provider can get your application approved in 2-3 business days. However, it is important to keep in mind there are no guarantees when it comes to account approval. The best you can do is partner with a provider that knows the industry and has a reputation for speedy service.
• Integrations and ease of use: Can the provider’s solutions integrate easily into your website? For example, at TailoredPay our online payment gateways can seamlessly integrate with popular platforms like Shopify, Woocommerce, and Wix.

What are reasonable high-risk merchant account prices, fees, and terms?

It’s true that high-risk merchant accounts generally come with higher fees than low-risk accounts. However, you can get reasonable rates that enable you to retain more of your profits if you know what to look for. Additionally, the lower the reserves a provider requires the more cash flow you have available for your business.

At TaloredPay we believe in giving our customers the most value in the industry and have structured our pricing around that philosophy. That’s why we offer these account terms:

• Rates starting at 2.6%
• Daily settlements
• No setup fees
• No application fees
• Quick approvals

As a result, in addition to being a leader in the space, we also offer the most flexible and competitive pricing model.

Get the best credit repair merchant account for your needs

At TailoredPay we’re high-risk merchant account and payment processing experts that have our clients’ best interest in mind.

Sign up for your account today.

Frequently asked questions

What makes credit repair credit card processing different from standard businesses?

Credit repair credit card processing is treated differently because results take time and client expectations can vary. Banks see higher chargeback risk due to delayed outcomes in credit restoration and ongoing monthly billing. A dedicated merchant account is built to support this model instead of flagging it as unusual activity.

Will I need to provide personal bank statements to get approved?

Yes, most providers will ask for recent personal bank statements as part of underwriting. This helps banks understand cash flow, refund history, and overall financial stability, especially for newer credit repair companies or owners with limited processing history.

Can I use a credit repair cloud platform with my merchant account?

Yes, many credit repair businesses use a credit repair cloud system to manage clients, disputes, and billing. TailoredPay merchant accounts are compatible with common billing setups so payments, subscriptions, and reporting can stay aligned with your existing software.

Can I get approved if I have poor credit as a business owner?

Poor credit does not automatically disqualify you. High risk providers expect to work with founders who may have past credit issues, particularly in industries like credit counseling and credit restoration. Approval is based on the business model, compliance, and processing plan, not just a credit score.

What payment processing options are available for credit repair companies?

Most credit repair businesses use card not present payments, recurring billing, virtual terminals, and ACH transfers. Using multiple payment processing options helps reduce disputes, manage processing fees, and give clients flexible ways to pay.

Why are processing fees higher for credit repair businesses?

Processing fees reflect the added risk tied to recurring billing, regulation, and refund disputes. Credit repair services operate under tighter scrutiny, which means banks price in that exposure. The tradeoff is stable processing, predictable payouts, and fewer shutdowns.

Is credit counseling treated the same as credit repair by processors?

While related, credit counseling and credit repair are not always underwritten the same way. Both involve regulated services and long term outcomes, but credit repair often carries more chargeback risk due to performance expectations. A provider familiar with both models can structure the account correctly from the start.

How does a high risk merchant account help with chargebacks during credit restoration?

A high risk merchant account includes tools for monitoring disputes, managing refunds, and responding before chargebacks escalate. Since credit restoration takes time, these controls help protect cash flow while setting realistic billing expectations for clients.