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2.6 164 Reviews

First Data Complaints Summary

66 Resolved
98 Unresolved
Our verdict: Dealing with First Data, which has an average resolution rate, requires some diligence. Research their service in depth and read a variety of customer reviews for a balanced view. Approach any customer service interactions with detailed and well-prepared queries to facilitate a better resolution process.
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First Data reviews & complaints 164

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1:04 pm EST
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First Data monopoly needs to be shut down by government

All Business Owners really need to pay attention to what is going on when signing up a merchant account or you will end up cheated and feeling like you have no where to go. First of all, First Data is a Monopoly Credit Card Processor here in the United States. They process over 75% or more of the credit card transactions in the country, therefore they feel they can do what they want as if they are god and no one can stop them. When your bank asks you to sign up for a merchant account with them, ask them who they use on the back end to process the cards. Chances are and I know for a fact that the following banks use First Data: Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Suntrust, and PNC just to name a few of the large banks. They also process for a lot of the smaller regional banks as well. Everyone complains about Visa/MC but really it is First Data who is causing so much pain to the merchants. They also own the STAR debit Network and Concord EFS, the Pay at the Pump fuel station transactions. They have become too big and don't respect their customers, there employees or anyone else for that matter and you are better off taking cash only from your customers than doing business with First Data "The Largest Processor". Most of the other guys are either selling under the pretense that they are "Bank of America Merchant Services" or "Citi Merchant Services" when in reality they are First Data employees. First Data has one HUGE call center and they have it divided up in sections by bank to take the calls from merchants who need help. The problem is if you sign up with Citi for example and you get upset for whatever reason and decide to leave Citi Merchant Services and go to your other Bank PNC or Wells Fargo, guess what you get the same service, same tech support and same customer service people to deal with all over again. You are the laughing stock of First Data, you pay your $500 cancelation fee from Citi just to sign right back up with one of the other banks who also use First Data, and when you cancel with them you pay First Data another $500 cancelation fee. What a rip off, this has to stop, the other scheme that they are pulling is if you are currently using First Data Today, take a look at your statement, and see if you see a $19.95 or $29.95 PCI Compliance fee on your monthly statement that you weren't told about? Go ahead check right now, See they probably have been billing you this for months, because its another way of just taking your money when your not looking. My advise when you hear First Data, RUN and don't look back.

Read full review of First Data and 3 comments
Update by GiveOut
Jan 14, 2011 7:34 am EST

You are definitely smart by not giving them your new bank account number. If you do this you open the door for them to start taking fee's at will from your new account. (Cancelation Fee's, erroneous fee's etc...) Don't give them your new account number whatever you do. Make them send you a check. I would also report them to the Better Business Bureau, FTC and your State Attorney General for any illegal behavior they are doing to you. They have gotten too big and need to be stopped. Look up your local court system online if you can, I know I looked them up here and there are HUNDREDS if not Thousands of small businesses suing them right now for illegal equipment leases, banking fee issues just like yours etc... It’s horrible that no one has paid attention to what they are doing to the small business owners of America.

Update by GiveOut
Jan 04, 2011 12:28 am EST

I just did a search on the complaints board about this company... just look at all the scams they pull:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/first-data-merchant-services-a36825.html

Update by GiveOut
Jan 04, 2011 12:24 am EST

I am aware that you don't have to have a credit card. I don't have one myself, so I am very aware of what it is like to not have one. What I am talking about here is the fact that this company has hijacked the business community and are charging them all kinds of fee's for having a credit card machine in there business. This is mainly directed at the business owners not individual card holders. Take a look at this poor company on here: First Data Merchant Services — I hope no one uses this company

Update by GiveOut
Jan 02, 2011 8:21 am EST

Unfortunately, in our society you have to have a credit card in order to rent a car, buy a airline ticket without a bunch of hassles so no I do not agree with your assumption that I can just stop using credit cards/debit cards to not have to deal with this monopoly, it would be like me saying to you, accept the fact that all of the banks are really and truly run by one company and if you don't like it don't use the banks. That is why in America we have laws that are suppose to keep us safe from companies getting "Too Big To Fail" and monopolizing the country with their made up fees and surcharges lining a few peoples wallets while the rest of us starve. I take it you work for this company otherwise how could you defend their despicable and utterly defenseless business practices. Go ahead do a search of your local state and county courthouse records and see how many small businesses all over America are suing this company. I will go ahead and answer that for you, there are thousands. I am waiting for the big Class Action Lawsuit to hit them where it hurts, because nothing else is important to them but how much money they can make by screwing over the working businesses in America.

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Donna and Mikel
Land O' Lakes, US
Sep 02, 2015 1:51 pm EDT
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I was not told that PCI compliance e was required if I used my PNC clover mini over the internet and feel this is should have been disclosed prior to my agreement with merchant services. Yes I feel upset and in a position of being ripped off and hacked by the very ones who are telling me iave to protect others. Ironically enough.

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jeremy Fager
Hagerstown, US
Jan 27, 2011 11:58 pm EST

They Nickel and dime merchant's i see it every day looking at there statements and all the local bank president's who smile at you and act like your friend's when u come in the bank are smiling because that bank is in some casese's bailed out with your tax money and making residual prophet sharing income from your processing volume and there local/national bank alliances that first data has formed and the PCI non validation fee or what ever they call it is protecting the middle man bank and first data from any liability not Mr. merchant! that's why you should not take the bank's word for it or pretend the monthly fee is protecting you from the legal liability it should be documented on a legal document called a PCI compliance certificate not the spoken word of your so trusted local/National bank!

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SunTrust Merchant Services
, US
Jan 13, 2011 8:29 pm EST
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I have spent several hours on the phone with First Data and SunTrust in an effort to have funds incorrectly charged to my SunTrust business checking account returned. No one disagrees that I am owed the funds by First Data but First Data refuses to refund my money via check. Instead they insist that I give them my new bank account info.
Given their penchant for over-charging my business, I will not give them my new banking account info.
SunTrust claims they do not have an in house liaison with their Merchant Services business - First Data. How unfortunate then when a good business customer has trouble with First Data. I am now also a "former" customer of SunTrust as well as First Data.

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9:16 pm EST
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First Data contract fraud

I was approached by one barbara nejeidi from first data global leasing, who told me about a free one month trial on a credit card equipment. She gave me a paper which I signed (Single piece of paper). After two weeks I returned the machine. Still in the box (Never used). I recieved a contract in the mail showing a four year lease. I tried contacting barbara nejeidi on numerous ocassions but never made contact. I contacted first data global and they claim to have a signed contract for four years and can't do anything. They continued to take money from my account for a few months, until I closed the account. Now they have sent me to the collections agency, who is constantly harassing my phone all hours of the day. Someone should be held responsible for this. This is fraud.

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6:32 pm EST
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First Data misrepresentation of fees

After initially contacting Joshua Willis, Indep Sales Agent for First Data, in their Scottsdale, AZ office about their merchant services/fees, I was quoted $20.95/mo. Upon my first statement with only a $20 customer charge, First Data charged my account $60+ for monthly fees. Willis misrepresented the total fees that would charged to my account on a monthly basis, which has been $60-75+ monthly (with NO transactions). This is fraud and misrepresentation. I have closed my account with these characters and now they want $501.80. A complaint has already been filed with the FTC, reference number is:[protected]. I will also be filing a complaint with the AZ and CA Attorney General and Banking Commission.

Read full review of First Data and 2 comments
Update by The Lingerie Lounge
Jan 26, 2011 1:50 am EST

Joshua, you are the disceptive one. I told you over the phone I had ADULT material, dude. Do you not know your service that you are selling for First Data? I should sue you personally Joshua Willis for fraud and deceptive advertising and misrepresentation. Oh and by the way, go to my website, The Lingerie Lounge, at www.TheLingerieLounge.com and you'll see that my stuff is tamer than Fredericks...dude Willis.

Update by The Lingerie Lounge
Nov 21, 2010 6:34 pm EST

As a follow-up to my previous complaint, I would like to add:
A complaint has already been filed with the FTC, reference number is:[protected]. I will also be filing a complaint with the AZ and CA Attorney General and Banking Commission.

If any of you are having problems with First Data's deceptive advertising and claims, file a complaint.

Update by The Lingerie Lounge
Nov 21, 2010 6:32 pm EST

I signed on with First Data through an independent sales agent, Joshua Willis, out of Scottsdale, AZ who assured me what my monthly charges would be. First month I had a $25 transaction and my FEES WERE $68.56 HOW INCREDIBLE IS THAT. Then another month I had NO transactions, they billed me for the $19.95 statement fee and CHARGED ME $70+ for transaction fees? I will be filing a complaint also with the FTC and Attorney Generals office in AZ. DO NOT USE THEM...NO MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU.

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Sirrell
Torrance, US
Jul 05, 2012 3:32 pm EDT

Just got off the phone with this so called sales manager...I asked for quotes over the Internet..first big mistake..I've been bombarded with calls for everyone under the sun..I have a list of folks to call back when "I" have time..
This joker calls me and wants to know when I'll be able to take his call. I told I don't know I'll call you when I'm ready..He was rude and told me his boss wants this leads followed up on..and that he has a job to do..
So I told if that was the case and he couldn't wait until I had the time (after all I am the customer no?) Then I would take him off my list..He said terrific..
I then hung up..JERK! Buyer beware...Glad he showed his true colors..I might have actually gone with him and his company. which is now Eshelon Merchant Services..

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Joshua W
Mesa, US
Jan 25, 2011 4:12 pm EST

Joshua Willis, here by the way you forgot to tell everyone, Irene Phillips in Sholow AZ, that you sell pre-worn panties over the internet and that, those fees were as follows 20.00 gateway fee, 5.75 customer service fee, 6.25 PCI compliance fee, 9.95 statment fee which could have been taken off if you would have gone to www.mymerchantoffice.com, 19.95 Non reciept of PCI compliance. Anyways point is I explained that along with the 25.00 monthly min. Oh and BTW you forgot to mention that you had ADULT MATERIAL on the webiste so you a should have had a HIGH RISK ACCOUNT through ccbill which you would have paid 10% per transaction.

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First Data auto fee deduct/long fund process

We are a small retail business which is forced to buy product as is needed. We rely on our credit card and cash sales to fund inventory purchases on almost a daily basis as well as to pay the bills associated with small business overhead. Due to the current economy, cash flow is not what it used to be, so we rely more and more on our credit card transactions. First Data upon receiving credit card transactions, immediately subtracts it's fees from our bank account while holding onto the credit card transactions for well over a week . As a small business we cannot afford to be without any money that we make. We called our First Data rep to find out when the funds would be released only to get the round around about how much longer we would have to wait for them to give us our money. We run credit card sales everyday. First Data takes it's fees everyday. Where the hell is our money? If you don't mind paying another financial institution for ### customer service while at the same time causing you to lose money, First Data is the credit card processing company for you.

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1:52 pm EDT
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First Data Expansion of earlier complaint

After many years of loyal patronage to Sam's Club, and many inducements to "upgrade" my Business Club Membership [which carries additional fees], my sales/products business inquiries and prospects supported the pursuit of charge card processing capabilities. Based upon Sam’s Club’s cheerleading, we went with their business partner, First Data. First Data sales made various representations, sent out paperwork, accessed and marked our credit status/record, processed our app, and quickly approved our App. Following approval of our App., First Data sent out a more expansive listing of provisions and conditions; replete with self-protecting literature it describes as "terms". The next business day following approval, and immediate dispatch of equipment, First Data arbitrarily and capriciously rescinded services, and never did provide any services of the type or nature agreed upon; i.e. wireless, etc. Since said rescision, First Data and First Data Global Leasing have been having a stealing good time debiting my account, for services it never did, nor had any intent to provide to us. Despite warnings they continue to treat our account as their own piggy bank, and refuse to respond to inquiries, or demands to cease and desist. It is clear that fraud is present, but Sam's Club is complicit, in as much as, they conspire with First Data to avail and expose their customers to First Data, whereafter First Data constructs a false marketing approach, provides penultimate information, gets customers to impart bank accounts information, and then without basis rescinds provision of the very services forming the crux of the agreement. We will not state further here, due to impending litigation. However it is important to note that Sam's Club cannot be dispensed as a culprit because it is they who fish for existing customers to draw into the parties’ money making scheme. This is a formal complaint addressing all participants in this orchestrated scam upon businesses. It is of additional note that their actions, irrespective of the self-protecting terms they have incorporated into their literature and terms, cause commercial and business related injuries that damage businesses, reputations, profits, credit worthiness, ratings, and other such essential requisites.

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dealerjim
Southaven, US
Jul 21, 2014 4:32 pm EDT

Flat out FRAUD! Sam's Club offers a "One Rate" plan to sucker you in and they get you used to paying the flat rate monthly fee. Just when you think all is well, they move you into an interchange plus fee schedule without telling you which will increase your costs dramatically. They increased my rates by 6X without even a phone call to notify me of any changes. I had no idea until I received my monthly statement with a ridiculously inflated fee schedule compared to previous months. When I called the agent in charge of my account to get things straightened out, she informs me that they were losing money with the plan that I was on and that they had to put me on a more expensive plan to make up what they had lost. When I asked for an explanation about how she could unilaterally change my plan with out notifying me, she said she'd email me the new plan and then hung up on me. I will never use Sam's Club again, and will do everything in my power to inform anyone who might be thinking about using them about their bait & switch tactics. Do yourself a favor and take a pass on Sam's Club processing...

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WSCS
Clemmons, US
Sep 04, 2013 6:49 pm EDT

First Data, like many big companies will promise you whatever it takes to make the sell. Please beware fellow small merchants. I trusted this company because of its association with Sams. But that was a big mistake. I wish I had read these reviews first. First Data lies, lies, lies!

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pjaym
Peachtree City, US
May 23, 2012 12:18 pm EDT

I could not agree with these terrible reviews more! This company LIES, lies, lies! They hide their fees and then do this "bait and switch" where they tell you half way through your contract that your equipment is outdated and you have to buy THEIR equipment for like $600! Hmmm..that is interesting since my new processing company is using the same machine without any problems or complaints! Customer service is a nightmare and rude beyond belief. Made me pay the cancellation fee--so it was basically a choice of paying them $600 or a fee of $90 to get out of the contract. Please don't use this company. There are much better corporations out there who are fair. I wish I had read more reviews. They really are that bad! I too am surprised they are still in business!

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manjulap
Saint Louis, US
Jun 11, 2011 2:44 am EDT
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Sams Club Merchant services is still dipping into my account even after closing it three months earlier. Initially they claimed the account was not closed. Later closed it. Today they dipped $400 from my account. They have no explanation . Is there is a legal help out there ...any advice.

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mdgalt
Cape Coral, US
Feb 28, 2011 7:13 pm EST

I have to laugh at all of you that gripe about Sam's Club/Walmart. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

While Sam's Club/WMT was undercutting and destroying THOUSANDS of small locally owned businesses, you all just said, "who cares, it is cheaper". As local Mom&Pop biz went out of business, because you went to Sam's Club/WMT to save $0.50, you never once thought "what about service? "What about personal attention?" and when your cheap crap started breaking, Mom&Pop aren't around to fix it anymore.

Now Sam's gets into CC processing and rather than deal with a local rep, someone who gives your their cell phone in case of emergencies, someone who regularly checks up on you, someone that explains howS and whyS of a very complex business, you again decide to SAVE A FEW PENNIES. Now you are screaming on complaint boards about getting "poor service" when you are the one that went for "cheap rates" over personal service. Well you got what you paid for!

Me, I'd rather deal with a local guy who provides service after the sale even if it costs a few pennies more. My business does about $14, 000/month in Credit card sales. Do you really think I'd trust $14, 000/month to some voice on an 800# because they were cheaper?

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Tinytrinkits
Youngstown, US
Feb 18, 2011 9:12 pm EST

BEWARE! Sam's club merchant service is the worst credit card processing company. They are not here to protect you! we used Sam's club merchant service for years and they use to be a good reliable service for our small business however for the past couple of years the Sam's club merchants were very sloppy and slow. It took the processors two months to notify us of charge-back and then on top of it they charged us additional fees. THEY ARE THE BIGGEST SCAM ARTIST! We are a small business and when a transaction was approved by one of their processors we went ahead and gave the merchandise to the customer. Over one month later we get a letter, NOT A PHONE CALL stated that it was fraud and that we have to pay the processing fess on top of that we were out on the merchandise. The worst thing of all is that this customer came in more than once. So they made out well. Inposter ID / Name on credit card matched so everything looked legit. SAM'S CLUB MERCHANT SERVICE HAS CHEAP RATES BECAUSE IN THE LONG RUN THEY ARE RIPPING YOU OFF!

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Alice Blakemore
Elkhart, US
Jan 05, 2011 3:02 pm EST
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I am so glad y0u had this information available. Thank you, some of us sometimes thinks Sams Club, is on our side?

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First Data criminals

this company is a nightmare do not use, where do i start, oh after their totaly shocking global gateway service where no one on the 1800 roundabout has a clue how to use it and i cancelled it after 1 week, andnchanged to another company, theyntold me i could not cancel, and had to keep paying a service fee every month for a service i did not want. then 6 months later they stole 199 out of my account with no right and said they had every right to do so causing my account to bouce. i then close my bank accont so they can steal no more, now i receive a letter from a collection agency saying i am in arrears $ 110 although it does not state what it is for and its some company called express merchant services ..is this them as well? i cant stand this company, their attitude is horrific towards cusomters, they are theives, and i agree with other people here they are criminals...how do i get them out of my life now thats what i want to know...i am a small retailer and do not need this...

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Julie Audia
Buffalo Grove, US
Jan 05, 2015 2:16 pm EST

I filed a police report and went through the states attorney for $60, 000. No Joke! This was last week!

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Sham on You
, US
Mar 09, 2011 2:08 am EST

It is CLEARLY STATED IN YOUR CONTRACT, that you did not read i am sure, that you were a risk if not canceling within the 90 day period. I use FDMS and they are great to me, havent had an issue but customer service can improve a bit. This is a classic case of not reading and listening to your sales rep. I did not make that mistake as i did read my contract thoroughly and had my CONTRACT LAWYER review with me as well. Bad move for a bad business man is what i chalk this up to. Our society has mad the move from not reading to listening to others. Bottom line, its your money don't trust anyone else with it unless you have researched as well...

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First Data holding funds at will

I have been accepting credit cards through FDMS a.k.a. the Link Point gateway on my websites sine January 2010. In nearly 10 months of operation, I have had 0- absolutely NO charge backs.

A few days ago, I had a good business day, taking in nearly $1, 400 through the account.

5 days later, I realize these funds have not made it to my business bank account and have simply "disappeared".

After calling First Data and being transferred several times, I was told to submit my Driver's License, Business License and customer phone number, address and phone number for 10 invoices.

I was then asked why my mailing address was in one state and my bank account in another. What does it matter to them? My father died and I moved to look after my mother. What a bunch of crooks.

Currently they are holding over $1600 of our money

Should I even respond to these [censored] bags? I already applied for a new merchant account through another provider. They say they are going to keep my money for six months if I do not provide this information. But they also say there is no guarantee of the outcome.

I am an honest business person and I suppose I have to spend all day gathering this information

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First Data money network card

I work for a company and I get my paycheck through moneynetwork. As I understand moneynetwork is affiliated or a part of the company firstdata (First data). On september 9th 2010 at approx noon I attempted to withdraw money. The atm said unable to process. The customer service number on the back of the card was no help. When I called the number it requires I enter my card number. Upon entering the number the recording said they were having technical difficulties and then it hung up on me. I continued to call the number trying different options to get ahold of any customer service rep and no matter what I did I was unable to reach anyone at their company. With all the hidden convenience fees I pay I find it totally unacceptable they have no rep for me to talk to. I had to cancel my lunch probably lost any chance of geting the job I was meeting for and looked like a jerk in the process all because I couldnt access the money I had earned. I get paid every week and if I want to see how much money ive made it will cost me $1. Oo every time I view my balance. They charge me money for cash back. They have a hidden charge for just about anything. And this is the level of customer service they provide.
First off im leaving this complaint
Second whenever a customer at my store brings one of their cards to my counter I will tell them about all the trouble ive had with their company and recommend green dot or another card.
Third im switching to direct deposit.

Money network has the worst customer service. It took me coming home to get online to find their corporate number to find out what was going on. Once I reached someone at the corporate number they said there is nothing I can do and no why to access the money that is mine.

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First Data leasing scam

Two years ago I started a home inspection business in Portland Oregon and thought I would look more "up to date" with a portable Way System card swipe machine and printer. After talking with the First Data people and discussing the lease options with the system, I told them I would buy it outright instead because I didn't want a lease. I then set up a one year account with them to handle the transactions, paid for the equipment and recieved it a few days later. After about 6 months I started recieving charges on my business account for $39 from First Data Global Leasing. Long story short, they credited me back the money I'd paid on the equipment and set me up on a two year lease agreement. I managed to get the payments stopped but they hounded me constantly with phone calls and nasty letters for months. I finally arranged to pay them off for $250 in hopes they'd go away. I hadn't heard from them in three months... until today. They sent me a letter saying that they are assessing $30.20 for "property taxes assessed on my equipment as well as $10.00 for the cost of processing of any taxes! Since I haden't really learned how tryly sinister these people are I sent them a check to pay the $250, they now have my checking information and are going take the money out along with my regular monthly payment. I talked to my bank and they said they probably couldn't stop the payment but I can file fraud charges against them if they do, and I will. I'll probably have to get a new checking account I suppose. Folks, these people have to be stopped! They are an obvious scam outfit and I'm in on any class action law suit.

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Aldelon
, US
Feb 13, 2011 10:59 pm EST
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I am the same boat : 48 months charge without using its service due to an early termination of contract .
FDGL is a scam and dishonest company .
Please take actions agaisnt this kind of economic crime, Please complain to :

http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/60FD9BD8FA71A5B185256CD1005EE5C5
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/investigators&id=6802369

Aldelon

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First Data sneaky charges/contract

LOOK OUT when you get a credit card machine. First Data Global Leasing has HIDDEN charges/fees that they SNEAK in that you are unaware of. You CANNOT get out of their lease. I returned the equipment unused, never used, to Best Merchants, and FIRST DATA just kept charging, charging, and charging. They will NOT listen to anything you have to say! I will NEVER do business where this leasing company is involved ! My next contact is the Attorney General. These people need to be stopped !

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kkdolfin
Brunswick, US
Sep 23, 2010 10:50 pm EDT

please if you find out anything you can do not to have to pay to break this contract with first data
i have one and my shop closed and they are wanting to charge me 940.00 to get out of the contract plase let me know if there is anything I can do to get out of this I can not pay that.

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Sagebrush9
Corbett, US
Jul 21, 2010 11:31 am EDT

I bought my equipment outright from First Data as I wasn't sure my business was going to make it and was very specific that I didn't want a lease. They, unbeknownst to me, credited me back the cost of the equipment and set me up on a two year lease I didn't agree to. I thought we'd worked it out when I paid them $250 to go away. That was three months ago. I didn't realize how nasty these people really are, and I made the mistake of sending them a check for the $250. I just recieved a notice from them that they are going to charge me $30 for some dopey fees and assess me my monthly payment directly from my account. These guys are like having a case of the herpes...I guess! I complained to the Florida State Attorneys office, as many others have, and maybe they can shut them down.

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First Data terms of lease

If you are UK based limited company and enter into an agreement with with First Data Global Leasing ( FDGL ) and are not satified woith their product then beware, you will have no choice but to carry on with payments as under the consumer credit act 1974 - you cannot get out of it

I got a phonecall by a compamy called Pamentsense who act for the Bank of Scotland to take out a credit card machine with them for my business, the leasing firm they use is FDGL, after being sent 2 terminasl which did not work, one a GPRS which couldn't get a strong enough signal to call out, the other a bluetooth device which couldn't connect to the phone line. I then tried to cancel the agreement. On the form they get you to sign there is a box which states your right to cancel, so I thought I could envoke this - wrong ! Hidden in the small print in 'lawyer language' is a clause which means if you you are a limited company you basically have no rights to cancel. You have been warned !

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Suzanne M.
Prairie Village, US
Jun 20, 2011 6:21 pm EDT

Has anyone been successful in getting out of the FDGL contract? If your struggling with these continued scamming and fraudulent practices, please contact your Attorney General, and Better Business Bureau and file complaints. This will be the only way to stop this from happening in the future.

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4:48 pm EDT
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First Data contract cancellation

First data sales reps promised the lowest rates, which they are not did speak of any contract length requirements.
When the first anniverisary of service came up, I asked to terminate contract, they stated I had a two year contract.
Then in may 2010 they state my contract expired on June 25th
I contacted them and suddenly they state ll they have is 3 year contracts.
They must submit for a contract review.

These are the worst types of liars and business people ..

NEVER DO BUSINESS with FIRST Data

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1:45 pm EDT
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First Data hidden fees

I started a very small online retail store a month ago (May 2010) and told Bank of America that I was looking to experiment with different vendors just to see how businesses operate and how to do normal operations. I told them I had no idea if I would make money or not. They had me sign an amendment to waive the early termination fee so I would agree to try them out. A VP of Bank of America Merchant Services told me that no fees would be charged until June 30th, 2010. That gave me ample time to get the business up and running. Today First Data and Bank of America garnished the earnings from an online sale to pay First Data's setup fees. I promptly ended business relationships with both Bank of America and First Data.

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Daniel Padilla
Dallas, US
Oct 18, 2011 2:14 am EDT

Well Bank of America has a $500 cancelation bull___ fee. I am pissed that I have been banking with Bank of America for so long and they have the nerve to tell me that the terms and conditions were mailed to me in a welcome kit (I never recieved) after I signed their contract at the time I opened my business account in person. What type of BS is this? I will close all three of my accounts immediately. And aside from the obvious frustration, I have been looking for these cancelation fees in writing for hours online and have yet to find anything.

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saiga12fanatic
Palm Desert, US
Sep 30, 2011 12:24 am EDT

Financial Transactions Services, LLC has a $750.00 "early termination fee". Yet, you are never "under contract". FTS is a SCAM!

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RichF49
Sarasota, US
Nov 24, 2010 9:36 pm EST

Wow I can't believe someone is blasting you for complaining that a company did not disclose all their hidden fees and if this person is the one that signed you up without disclosing fees then so be it if you mention her name! Just to let you know the setup fees are not implemented by First Data which is the processor, but rather this is an acquirer fee which means Bank of America fee they like to play the blame game and blame it on First Data. The acquirer determines whether or not to charge a setup fee basically a bull___ fee to generate more income and First Data (the processor) deducts fees as determined by Bank of America! and no you aren't lucky they gave you the opprtunity of trying their service and bilking you for a bogus setup fee without eing locked into a contract with a hefty cancelation fee. There are other reputable acquirers out there that waive termination fees all the time I work for one of them Financial Transaction Services, LLC rich@FTS-sales.com

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SNEIL
Sammamish, US
Jul 08, 2010 10:53 pm EDT

Pretty rude that you would note the name of an employee when she was just doing her job to service you. It does not appear that she had any wrong doing here. I am certain that you could have resolved the issue and recieved your money back for a set up fee without blasting an employee's name. Shame on you. Also, you are just lucky that Bank of America offered this service to you without a contract.

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6:13 am EDT

First Data they literally ruined and bankrupted the business

My company used Cardservice International for many years, then they changed to First Data and everything started to go south. We had a high risk account, but always kept our chargebacks to a minimum over the years and had a track record to prove it. Literally, out of the blue, we were overwhelmed by chargebacks, and were able to provide First Data the proper signed slips and everything they needed to ensure the sales were legitimate. We still lost the sales.

To add insult to injury, shortly after, they canceled our account, due to excessive cahrgebacks, and said they would hold $32, 439.00 (yes... 32k) for six months to cover any chargebacks involved. After sex months I contacted the First Data representative (Gideon Jackson). He said it would be another six months. Then I was pawned off to another agent (Deidra M.Olds deidram.[protected]@firstdata.com) who said they would release half of the funds, then another half later. I provided copies of my ID and contact information, per their request. She said they would send a check to me for half of the funds. It never came, she never replied, they no longer return my calls or emails.

You can imagine the damage done to your business with someone holds $32, 439.00 without notice. It literally ruined and bankrupted the business.

It has been 2 years since they agreed to pay the money, they will not return any contact to me. My next step is legal recourse, though that too is painful as some collection agencies are asking for as much as %40 - 50%. I have lost my business, and money. I'm at a loss.

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NewLawsNow dot Com
, US
May 02, 2011 10:36 pm EDT

oops... Did you ever get your money back?

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NewLawsNow dot Com
, US
May 02, 2011 10:35 pm EDT

Did you ever get our money back?

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9:13 am EDT
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First Data - cannot get out of lease/misleading contracts

I am a small business, and I signed up with a merchant servicing company – IMS – at a great rate of .049% per transaction. Well it is not that simple, it seems. Their variable rates add up to over 3% in fees, and their customer service agents are trained to convince you that you will never pay that much. So how do my fees add up to over 3%, IMS??? When I...

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10:02 am EDT

First Data hidden fees

First Data Merchant Accounts is known as the global leader in credit card processing. However, they did not demonstrate leadership or anything close to quality customer service with me. I originally signed a lease with them in May 2007. I was told that I had many ways out of their lease and I could cancel their service at any time. Sales and customer service told me a downright lie. After committing to the contract and executing my first transaction I was locked into a 3 year lease which charged me whether or not I used their service. I recently got a call from a collections agency that says I racked up 500 dollars worth of fees from October '09 because I DID NOT use the service. Meanwhile, i was duped and lured into believing my lease had ended. I strongly recommend to never engage in business with this company or any of their partners. I have paid over 2, 000 dollars worth of fees and penalties after my business went under. After discovering this, I had to fight my way through layers of automated messages and customer representatives just to figure out what was going on. They seemed to be intentionally unhelpful. Their unreasonable contracts and hidden fees coupled with their complete dismissal of the customer make First Data an extremely taxing experience with little benefit. I take responsibility for my understanding (or lack there of) of their legal terms. However, the fees that First Data has levied against me are downright criminal.

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micahel
, US
May 13, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

I was charged a $129 fee for account maintenance that I was never told about. On top of fees that I had to pay monthly that were also indisclosed. After my contract was up (which i throughly read before siging up) they pulled a $79 account closure fee out of my account. Never do business with these people. First data merchant services is awful. Go elsewhere.

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PoorerandSorry
Trabuco Canyon, US
May 29, 2012 5:59 am EDT
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CROOKS---CROOKS---CROOKS---CAUTION---CROOKS Stay away. I opened a small processing account with these robbers in 2007. My service charges and fees were always 20% or more of amounts submitted. In 2009 I closed this business and went to work for the military for a year. When I next checked my old bank account these fees had continued for three years. They say I never sent in a closure form (not true). They wanted a copy with a fax transmittal verification (with my business records from four years ago?) Really? If I closed my account I would be charged $75. I said why am I not surprised. I asked for my fees to be refunded, they said there is no way you can get them back. You can get a free Intuit swiper to use with any smart phone with a 2.7% charge and no middle man. I hope these people starve! ! !

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ron83
, US
Oct 09, 2009 5:52 pm EDT

I have been with them for over 10 years and all of this started in the last year or so since they were sold to a private company. Yes, they will take money any time they feel like it out of your account without notice. If you try to do a stop payment on them they will just send it again with added fees with a different name so you have to keep spending more money on stop payments for different names. Then when you call them they will tell you they need written notice to close the account and tell you to fax it to some non existent fax number and keep taking money out until you have to close the account and start a new one. DO NOT EVER DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

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never again
New York, US
Jun 06, 2009 11:11 pm EDT

First One (Linkpoint aka Cardservices International) is the BIGGEST fraud merchant service out there and I WARN anyone to ever sign up or deal with them. When I signed up with them, they promised to have the best and most competitive rates on the market. I had incredibly stressful working days, sometimes with 18 hour work days, so I was unable to have time to really check how true or false these statements were. I had incessant problems with First Data over the years I used their services, reversing charges (not my clients, but First Data would do this) and blocking access to money which had to be verified by them. Even after verification with customer signatures and approvals this process would take nearly TWO MONTHS before First Data would release the money paid to my company - which meant I had no access to funds to pay for company expenses for two months! At one point First Data was holding over $28, 000 in transactions without releasing these for 6 weeks while I had expenses to pay for, towards goods and services for the payments customers had made!
I have recently found that the average $175 per ticket in fees First Data has charged from me over the years - with a string of excuses each time I inquiries into it - has actually been $150 IN EXCESS charges per my transaction ticket than what is normal! The company has charged me over $25, 000 in fees in a year, while the normal amount should have been around $4500 in the entire year. I only found this when being unable to close an account with them, and picking a random merchant service to deal with my transactions meanwhile, temporarily.
I tried to cancel the merchant accounts with First Data, and found it to be a complete nightmare. NO ONE will respond to your letters, faxes or emails. On the contrary, they neglected to cancel the account for MONTHS of my incessantly trying to close the merchant account with them while they continue to charge their base fees of $80-110 per month.

First Data is PURE banking FRAUD!

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12:06 pm EDT
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First Data violates all codes of ethics

From February 14 of 2010 First Data rep hre in Kentucky have done nothing to correct all the initial and mileading promises in a four year contract. Also they have allowed a third party claiming to be a part of First Data to call me issuing threats concerning insurance through a unknown third party insurance company. They sent me a notice that I either had to take insurance or I had to furniush my personal insurance policy that protects my business to them.
#1 who the hell do they think they are . They want MY insurnce info and want me to sign their form (them being an unknown third party I would be enteri ng into yet another agreement with private info) that does not concern them. Not!
Its been a mess with them threatening me repeatedly with violating my conntract with them. ANYTIME it takes 3 months to clean up their messes i say its time to part company. Had most of my trouble with their Tele Check company . Both being a customer to a company that used Tele Check who denied 4 of my business checks and when researched by my bank ppersonally found that Tele Check had refused my checks and HAD NEVER RAN THEM THROUGH MY BANK of which I have 5 accounts with enough money to more then cover the checks in each account.
So...STAY FAR AWAY FROM FIRST DATA AND IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION PLEASE MAKE SURE IM IN IT > I HAVE ALL KINDS OF EVIDENCE>

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5:11 am EDT

First Data fraud federal crime

I have a yahoo internet business, Yahoo only allows FDMS First Data Merchant Services as there platform for there shopping carts on there stores, I have been open for 3 years my sales have doubled- in July 2009 I checked my bank account and was not receiving my deposits I contacted First Data and they stated since my volume has gone up I am higher risk, so they would take 10% out of each of my batches until 10, 000.00 was in a reserve. Then in Jan 2010 was again contacted due to my 5% dispute rating (this dispute is not averaged by closed or won disputes, but by disputes opened- internet business are Higher risk, people dispute if they do not receive there product in 2 weeks even if the tracking shows it is on its way and the website states it can take up to 3 weeks to receive the merchandise and every product on the site state"2-3 business days for the handling time"- so I was then told I had to write out a plan to lower my disputes and they would be once again taking 10% out of my batches till another $10, 000.00 so a total of 20, 000.00 would be in reserve. March 2010 after they had the $20, 000.00 they stopped funding me again and gave me a week to find a new cc processor and told me they will hold the $20, 000.00 for 6 months from the last day I processed threw them. I formed a corporation and open a new account under the corporation- I was just told that they will not be funding me again and they are closing that account because of my previous account that was under my personal ss #- they are holding over another $10, 000.00 of mine. This is now a total of $30, 000.00 which is double the amount required to start a federal lawsuit- I then started doing some internet searches on first data and found several other people who experience this same issue and still have not received a dime back of the money first data is holding. Yahoo only allows there online ecommerce businesses to use a processor that is first data merchant services compatible so I am stuck and feel helpless as so many other people that have been scammed the same from First Data Merchant Services FDMS who there security department who makes these decisions is in Melville New York- [protected] but when you call no one answers they promise a call back with in 24 hours - they call you back in that time frame to notify you they are holding funds and canceling your service- but not when you are trying to get your money back- it has been 2 days I have left 6 messages and no return call- my next phone call is to a attorney to start Federal proceedings- This is one of the reasons the economy is the way it is- I have had to let 2 employees go due to this loss of income, and if this continues I will have to close my business and file bankruptcy these corporations tied to the banking system and credit card industry need to be stopped and our government is not doing a thing or passing any new laws to stop this- The middle class will no longer be in existence as long as company's and there "sister company's" like First data Merchant services are allowed to destroy and take advantage of the hard working middle class business and people. They need to be stopped!

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DOREY COMMUNICATION
WASHINGTON, US
Apr 16, 2014 3:50 pm EDT

FIRST DATA try to fraud. We don't have an account with them because we asked our bank a few time to accept CREDIT CARD payment and they told us NO, as my husband was not a client of this bank (it was Bank of America). So FIRST DATA can't ask us now to pay for an early termination of account, as there is no account. I'll file a complaint with the FBI. You should all do the same. FIRST DATA can't ask you to pay for fees that don't exist into a valid and fully accepted contract with you.

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ANTHONY HILTON
Roseville, US
Oct 21, 2011 12:11 am EDT
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WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
FIRST DATA IS GOING BAD. IT IS ALL TRUE. WE SALE CELL PHONES ON EBAY AND GOT TIRED OF PAYPAL PLAYING GAMES AND LIMITING OUR ACCOUNT EVERY OTHER WEEK FOR NO REASON OR COMPLAINTS. SO WE DECIDED TO MOVE ON AND USE OUR OWN MERCHANT. BOY THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE. THEY ARE HOLDING $13, 000.00 OF MIN AND NO ONE TO SPEAK TOO. NO ONE COMPLAINED, NO CHARGEBACKS. THEY ARE HOLDING IT CAUSE THEY CAN. I HOPE THAT THSES GREEDY COMPANY WILL F*** FALL ONE DAY VERY SOON. I TRULY HATE THE CREDIT AND BANKING SYSTEM IN THE US. THEY ARE THE BEASE AND THEY ARE RUINING OUR COUNTRY. I HATE THEM. DO NOT OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH FIRST DATA. I SENT THEM OUR PERSONAL COMPANY BANK STATMENTS, DL, SSN, DBA PAPERS EVERYTHING. IT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO APPROVE AND OPEN OUR ACCOUNT AND THAT FOLLOWING WEEK THEY HELD ALL OUR SALES.?

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CathyBusiness
Ft. Lauderdale, US
Jan 08, 2011 9:07 pm EST

Can you prove you didn't have any chargeback from that $19, 000?

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waterline marine
why, US
Dec 28, 2010 6:01 pm EST

LETS ALL GET TOGEATHER AND DO THIS, THEY HAVE TAKEN 19, 000 FROM ME AND NOTHING IN RETURN NOW THAT MY COMPANY HAS CLOSED AND ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR. THEY SCREWED ME GOOD WITH OUT A STICK!
c71martin@yahoo.com
email me and lets do this, im broke to start it or i would.

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CathyBusiness
Ft. Lauderdale, US
May 25, 2010 6:33 pm EDT

We need somebody to go after them with a Class Action SUIT>>>>>

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CathyBusiness
Ft. Lauderdale, US
May 25, 2010 6:32 pm EDT

My first few days, they have closed the account. I contacted all the consumers that I charged cards with and no one complained. They have taken it upon themselves to put my account o hold.

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4:31 pm EDT
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First Data total scam

OMG!@!#%@!
After being suckered into a $1, 800 lease for 49.99 machine with pin pad - we do mail order by the way - we gave up on getting out of it after 9 months of phone calls, letters, and emails. We sent the machine back in April of 2009 with a big check. In Feb of 2010, they charged me another $200 for not returning the machine! I gave them the tracking number and asked for a refund. Yeah, Okay we can do that. 40 days later still no refund. Called again. Took 4 calls to get a supervisor. There can't be that many people in the place. They have now expedited my refund and it should be here within 5 to 7 days. I won't hold my breath. But I gotta try.

Stay away from these people! at all costs. You will never get away from them. Pretty soon they should be debiting my account again for the annual security monitoring - can't wait for that fight! again! The account was cancelled within 30 days of opening in Oct of 2008 and it still comes back to haunt us.

Beware

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Penchetta
Cave Creek, US
Oct 07, 2011 12:07 am EDT

Shame on Sam's Club and Wlamart Inc for being in BED with First Datat & First Data Global leasing. The Sam's club manager refered The First Data Scam artist to my business, I signed on his computer without seeing or reading what I signed. I assumed since it was a Sams club referal it would be okay. Well I have been screwed by First Data Global leasing like everyone else here. I could have recieved a better referral from the Mafia or the drug cartel and gotten a better deal. Shame on you Sams Club!

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AEY services
Alexandria, US
Aug 30, 2010 4:49 pm EDT
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We've been defrauded too. Do you know the address of FDGL where I can return our equipment too? How much was this big check?

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6:49 pm EDT
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First Data illegal deduction

Seems we are in along line with this firm. They seem to be deceptive all acroos the country.
My compliant is very similar to many others on this site.
Appx two years ago a very deceptive sales person whom they say is no longer with the company (seems this is the case in most all complaints) convinced a part time employee to sign documents claiming theywere necerssay on order to continue proceesing credit cads. (employee not a coporate officer making there contact invalid).
Upon reciet of the equipment it was returned and company notified that there service was not wanted or needed.
After several months of threating phone calls and collection letters it all stoped. Now after two years an illegal deduction from our checking account in the amount of $3219.54 was made. Efforts to reach anyone by phone or a name and address have been impossible to obtain.
Anyone doing business with this firm simply has to have a screw lose.
I really feel a class action law suit would be in good stead. Anyone know how to begin one ? Would anyone like to join in one?
I am forwarding a copy of this compliant to the Better Business Bureau of Ga and asking their help and advise. Would advise all other injured paties to do the same in their state. Maybe together we can force them to act un a decent manner?

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William F Smith
Salem, US
Nov 15, 2010 5:46 pm EST

After paying for the POS system, the deductions continued. A class action suit is needed, to put the company out of business.

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First Data contacts

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1800 243 444 +1 (866) 965-8330 More phone numbers

Website

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