Exposing the Dark Side of Payments: When Processors Turn Predatory

Behind the polished pitch decks and ISO agreements lies a side of the payments industry few merchants or agents ever see—until it’s too late. In this brutally honest episode of The Payments Experts Podcast, Global Legal Law Firm partners Christopher Dryden and James Huber pull back the curtain on predatory practices, weaponized contracts, and the shocking truth about how processors, not fraudsters, are often the ones doing the most damage.

The Case That Says It All

We begin with a real-world story that’s hard to believe—but all too common. A gas station owner in Indiana becomes the target of credit card fraud, does everything by the book—files police reports, accepts chargebacks, and pleads with the processor to block the card.

Their response? Silence.

Then came the fines. Then came the residual withholdings. Tens of thousands of dollars gone—no explanation, no recourse, no transparency. This merchant wasn’t dealing with criminals anymore—they were up against their own processor.

How Card Brand “Compliance” Became a Profit Center

Our attorneys explain how once-legitimate risk and compliance mechanisms—like chargeback thresholds and fine regimes—have quietly evolved into profit machines. And the enablers? Poorly written contracts, no legal review, and merchant portfolios treated like extractable assets, not partnerships.

As Warren Buffett once said, "You can’t make a good deal with bad people." And in payments, even the best contract won’t save you if you’re dealing with parties who weaponize the legal system as a business strategy.

MATCH List Removal: Legal Pressure That Works

We also shine a light on the increasingly aggressive use of MATCH list placements—a tactic that can instantly cripple a merchant’s ability to process payments. But there’s hope: litigation is proving to be one of the few reliable paths to removal, and our success rates are climbing. It’s expensive, emotionally draining, and slow—but it works.

Who Needs to Hear This Episode?

• Merchants evaluating processing relationships or considering high-risk categories
• ISOs and agents building portfolios they want to protect
• Fintech operators and PayFacs navigating their legal exposure
• Anyone who thinks their processor is “the partner” in the relationship

Don’t wait until it’s your business on the chopping block. Tune in and learn how to protect yourself—before you're the next cautionary tale.

Subscribe now to The Payments Experts Podcast and visit globallegallawfirm.com for legal strategies that protect your business from the fine print few people read—until it’s too late.

**Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice.  All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.**

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A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm