Payment Processing for the Businesses Everyone Else Turns Down

A business is classified as high-risk when it presents a higher likelihood of chargebacks, fraud, or regulatory complications. This classification isn't determined by any single authority — each bank and payment processor has its own risk criteria. Common reasons include operating in a regulated industry (like cannabis, firearms, or nutraceuticals), having a high chargeback ratio, processing large transactions, selling subscriptions with recurring billing, or operating internationally.

High-risk accounts typically come with slightly higher processing rates than standard accounts — that's the reality of the industry. However, "higher" doesn't have to mean unreasonable. We work with multiple acquiring banks to negotiate competitive rates based on your specific volume, industry, and risk profile. We're also fully transparent about pricing — no hidden fees, no surprise markups.

A rolling reserve is a percentage of your processed transactions that the acquiring bank holds for a set period (typically 6 months) as a safety net against chargebacks. It's common for high-risk accounts. The money is yours — it's released back to you on a rolling basis once the hold period passes. Not every account requires one, and the percentage varies based on your risk profile.

Yes. This is one of the most common situations we deal with. Payment aggregators like Stripe, PayPal, and Square are designed for low-risk businesses. Their automated systems will freeze or terminate accounts that trigger risk thresholds — often without warning. We set you up with a dedicated merchant account through an acquiring bank that's already familiar with your industry, so you get real stability from day one.

Timelines vary by industry and risk profile, but most applications are approved within a few business days. Some industries or situations that require additional underwriting documentation may take longer. We'll let you know exactly what's needed upfront so there aren't any delays. Once you're approved, we can typically have you processing shortly after.

Standard requirements include a valid government-issued ID, a voided check or bank letter, three months of recent bank statements, three months of recent processing statements (if applicable), and your business license or formation documents. Some industries may require additional documentation such as compliance certificates or product manifests.

No. POS Outlet doesn't lock you into long-term contracts or hit you with cancellation fees. We believe if we're doing our job well, you'll stick around because you want to — not because you're contractually obligated. The acquiring bank may have its own terms depending on your risk profile, and we'll make those clear before you sign anything.

The list above covers the most common high-risk categories, but it's far from exhaustive. If your business has been turned down by other processors or you've been told you're "too risky," reach out anyway. We work with a wide network of acquiring banks and can place most legal businesses. Fill out the form below and we'll let you know what we can do.