First Data
Reviews and Complaints

Don't ever use first data. I returned the machine 2 years ago and they are still billing me. I have sent the the purolator slip multiply times. They keep telling me it was not returned. I called purolator and they told me it was returned and the person who signed for it. I told them to call purolator and they said no we do not call them. As far as i an concern it is not my problem they can't find it. I even put a stop payment which cost me and they ended up taking a different amount out.

I am really tired of fighting with them. The only thing i can do now is cancel my bank account which will be a pain.

They are a rip off. How can they say it was not returned when it was.

Never never use them.

I work for an honest company that does CC processing.. Mention first data and you will immediately get a free terminal, free app fee, free programming, free everything. No cost to start at all. I'm sick and tired of hearing about this company.. I drew the line after an old lady is paying 300$ a month for a 150$ terminal totaling over 14, 700$. Made me absolutely sick to my stomach. Enough is enough. Email me at ryanmoore1165@gmail.com and we can discuss getting you set up at no charge and a low cost guarantee rate.

I work for a CC processing company that is HONEST. I hear about first data ALL day long with folks in a $300 lease when machine cost $150. There is a guy paying over $14, 000 for a $150 machine on a lease. It's disgusting and makes me sick to even here hard working people being taken advantage of.. Not only are they being ripped off from leases they are marking up rates and putting miscellaneous fees with creative accounting.. If you are with first data you are paying over 5% with the fees they are creating out of thin air.. If you mention first data you will automatically get everything free. Terminal, application fee, programming, and shipping all free no questions asked plus a 100$ rebate to use in your second statement. I will send you a new PCI compliant terminal at no charge and give you a low rate guarantee stating you are getting the lowest rate possible. No games. No gimmicks, only honest business practices and honest treatment. Stop being mislead and lied to by crooks and thieves. No matter what they say you can switch processing we will pay the fee and we will send you a new terminal to process your transactions.. It's time to seperate yourself from this company..ryanmoore1165@gmail.com

I had a similar experience in the past and I wondered why these banks would allow the charges to be made on your account when banks are supposed to protect their accountholders from scams like these. It's hard to know who to trust in the current system.

I have been in business for 4 years and had the same processor for my merchant services. I own all my equipment . I recently received a collections notice from First Data Merchant Services, again a company I have never had any dealing with. When I called their service line to get the issue resolved they attempted to get my banking information. They would not verify when the account was set up, or even the name of the business owner they had on file. This is a SCAM. I have never had any other merchant services processor other than the one I opened my business with. DO NOT TRUST!

I made the mistake in signing up with First Data without researching about them. My account was suppose to be setup with Authorize.NET, it wasn't. I called up asking about it even though my contract clearly shows Authorize.NET as being set, they told me it would be $299. I then challenged my sales rep. about the cost and stated I have never known Auth.Net to cost so much to setup. He then stated how he use to work for Auth.Net and that's always been the charge. After getting off the phone with him, and calling Auth.Net directly they stated there charge for setup is $99, a $200 difference from what First Data was trying to scam out of me. Needless to say, less than two months later and 4 charges (two of which can not be explained) I asked for my account to be closed at First Data. One representative said it would be $437 termination fee plus $30 cancel fee for an account less than 2 months old that was never used for anything.

So, I called my bank explained what was going on, and they advised me of my options. They couldn't put a stop payment/block without knowing the exact charges First Data would try and scam/steal so they suggested closing out the checking account to prevent any lost of funds. I've since been documenting everything. I've faxed in my cancellation request to First Data, and will dispute any and all collection / credit report notices. There is no way I'm paying these scam artist a dime. Just from reading some of these post on the site it just shows that I'm not the only one they've been lying to and scamming.

Well it seems I am another in the long line of small companies getting screwed by First Data. I actually signed up with Merchant Service Center which was fine till they sold it to First Data Merchant Services. Then all of the problems started. They are now holding $6200 of our money because we had to open up a new account because my wife's identity was stolen. So we reopened a new account with Chase and sent in the paperwork. Unbeknownst to us is we must have filled it out wrong or something because FDR never told us this till later. In the meantime they tried to collect the $129 PCI compliance fee from our old account which we had to close and of course no money was there so they turned us over to collections and now we are a high risk account with a 77 day hold on the account. They have the new account info yet refuse to release the batch money we are owed. When we call we get the run around of all run arounds. No one knows anything and of course their department can't handle it and to call customer service. When we call CS they say the same thing and to call risk management who then transfers us to a number where we leave a message and no one calls back. We spent 3 hours on the phone yesterday and got at least 6 different 800#'s to call and at the end of the day nothing happened. I called later and spoke to an Alan at [protected] and he said they received our payment and our money should be in our account today. Guess what, no money? Called them back and they have no knowledge of this and the same department who helped me yesterday suddenly couldn't help me today. I don't know what to do...Never sign up with FDR, First Data Merchant Services. They are rip off's for sure.

Called to cancel my merchant account they said the paperwork would come in a few days, its been weeks now and no paperwork, ill have to pay another month fees now and now i have to call again for the paperwork to cancel its no doubt theres somethiong funny about this company woe...

This is a horrible company to use for your business. I can also say this is a horrible company to work for. They are dishonest about pay rates as well as when they let you go they will lie in order not to give you unemployment. I know for a fact that they charge numerous fees for anything and everything. The sales reps mislead business owners into purchasing equipment they do not even need. DO NOT USE OR WORK AT FIRST DATA.

First Data is has 70% of the worldwide market, they are one of the biggest processing companies in the world. Many large corporations used them. If you are thinking of getting rich off this company forget it...There are other less time consuming ways to resolve your problems. I am a merchant rep, who acquired a new merchant who was with a competing provider Elevon who withheld over $60, 000 of this merchant sales, and wanted $300, 000 colateral. I resolved the problem with this merchant, and got the the account, now he is happily processing with First Data as a processesor. THe problem is not the company, it is the agent who signed you up, that was not honest and upfront with you, and put you in that predicament. Merchant providers/processors do take a risk with new and existing merchant everyday because of fraud and chargebacks, and they are then left holding the bag. You are only looking at your point of view not theres. There always a cost to do business. Griping and complaining and wanting a handout is not the way to go at the expense of others. Lawyers are just waiting for people like you, to line there pockets. What you need to do is start a class action suit against lawyers. They are not your bread and butter, they are rich snakes and parasites.

I would totally agree with u. I worked their for several several years and have seen the way management works. Its worse than being in high school again. Bunch of girls from the movie mean girls with a real burn book. HR is very corrupt along with management! There are several people who are in management with no college degrees on their wall, because they all got their with their looks and begging to get the job. No one keeps anything confidential, i dont think they know the meaning of the word! Oh and if you are a good looking guy, u will get away with anything because all of their management are women who thrive on the flirtyness of those young men who are there.Anyway, not much to learn there most of the supervisors are on the internet or walk around to look like their busy, or hide in the staffing department to get away from answering those questions the agents have on the production floor. oh by the way, the agents are little people with no customer service skills, they only know how to yell when they are provided feedback, even though they listen to their call. knowing they did wrong, they cry cry cry to management who want to cover their mistakes so they can feel empowered instead of using the word accountability, another word management doesn't know. management also requests to play only good calls by asking their quality dpt to scan calls to play for the clients. way to go hide all the bad that really occurs 95% of the time because their sups dont want to deal with developing their agents. its worse than a refinery turnarounds in this place!

Hi,
I agree with you, they are a bunch of disfunctional robots! pay peanuts for employees and have great expectations...HR is totally corrupt and the management practices are soo bad... What's worst, the office politics never ends...
Past times - yap yap yap - on alot of crap
HR recruitment - If you're a sucker to your manager and really beg down to her feet, yeh you'd get your way around...
Raise - Amount for a new recruit is about the equivalent cost of getting a chip packet each week (probably the biggest size)
Training - Not necessary, read the books, you're entitled to 1.5 hours siesta... snooozzeee...
Nice place if you'd like to be a lemon, want to face the wrong path to knowledge, then this is the place for you...
Watch out!

It may be easier for you to understand if you read your contract. You signed two agreements, one with First Data Merchant Services and one with First Data Global Leasing. Both of the contract terms are outlined in the contract you signed.
It amazes me how no one takes responsibility for their own negligence when it comes to contracts themselves.
The $90 was the penalty for the service agreement, the other fees were for your 4 year agreement.
Pay attention to what you put your name on in the future and I'm sure you won't find yourself in this situation in the future.
It's not ALWAYS the companies fault.

I have an account with this company currently and trying to cancel it is taking an act of congress. To get through to someone is impossible. I have called 5 times and emails to resolve one issue and 4 months later nothing. My last contact with them a lady there hung up on me.

Anybody currently with this company I will help immediately.. I'm so sorry you ran into this nightmare and I know the feeling you are feeling.. I will get you a free placed terminal at no charge PCI compliant EMV card reader and I will not charge you an application fee, pre program fee or shipping cost.. I will honestly take care of you. I have had enough of hearing what they do to people every day. How can a human do this to other humans it's sickening. Email me immediately I'm a national accounts manager for a large, honest, CC processor and work for the corporate office.. I can make these decisions and just mention this company I will immediately show you sympathy.. I know trust me I have to hear about them ALL day long I'm so sick of it.. Ryanmoore1165@gmail.com I'll take great care of you and your business.

We signed a 24 month contract for a credit card machine. It was clearly changed after signing to a 48 month lease. We have spent the last year attempting to resolve the matter, only to be run in circles. We were charged long after we stopped using the machine and proved we had our contract altered by the sales rep. They company still refused to pay back the money charged when the machine wasn't even being used and while they refused to take it back. We have called them over 20 times.

First Data is by far the most unethical company I have ever dealt with. I am a small business owner striving to survive on a month by month basis. First Data has held my funds hostage, noting a security issue, for over one week. I have called daily and am given if a different story if not hung up on because they claim my phone has poor reception. I have not paid hundreds of dollars in late fees to other peoples, employees and institutions as I counted on a fair and ethical company to preform appropriately.

This is a classic bait and switch tactic used by First Data against small business owners. They collect your funds with the promise to deliver them to your bank account within days and end up holding them for weeks, plus days while they collect the interest on the amounts. I understand they are not regulated by the government, which allows them free reign and to act with fraudulent behavior.

The most ironic part of this issue is that they actually charged me interest, fees, and commission on the same portion of monies they hold hostage. To this day, I have yet to see a penny of the monies owed, yet my bank statements show they charged me for the monies, which cleared over one week ago.

I am prepared to gather as many victims as I can, relating to First Data, and seek court action. Unfortunately I only have a few employees information to submit. I have spoken with Brenda, a supervisor from Hagerstown, Maryland, Stephen, a “security analyst” from a place unknown, and Stacey from the office of the president for First Data.

In closing, I am so angered by their actions that I seek thousands of dollars in loss, not to include emotional distress caused by the inability to pay rent this month, which ultimately has caused potential legal action against me. It is tearing my marriage apart and has caused disgrace to my well formed company. I try so hard to do the right thing and First Data has taken advantage of me and who knows how many others. Their legal department trumps me and they know it. Until someone slaps them with fines, fees, or legal orders this will continue to happen to others. If anyone has experienced the same, please feel free to contact me directly.

I think First Data may be in collusion with credit card companies to defraud their own clietns. I had a chargeback that I disputed with an amount of eveidence that would choke a horse. I even had a notarized affidavit from US Postal Inspectors. What ever you submit, it does not matter. They refund the client and say "case closed". They are either lazy or crimnally negligent.

I hope no one ever makes the mistake to use this company, it will save you pain and aggravation like you have never had before.

I hope some of us can band together and start a class action suit against them. They can't be allowed to continue doing this.

We own a luxury retail showroom located at 1401 S Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90035. We started using First Data Merchant Service as our credit card processing on 3/10/09. Our transactions with this processor have increased slowly at first. On 08/19/09 one of our clients purchased chandeliers (which were subsequently delivered and installed) and paid using a visa card for the amounts of $10, 000.00 and $6, 000.00 in total.

We received a call on or about September 20th, 2009 from Frank Davenport (one of First Data's Risk Management representatives) requesting supporting sales documents for the very same previously mentioned transaction on 08/19.09. We promptly provided all requested materials in timely manner. Mr. Davenport acknowledged receiving and was satisfied with all the supporting documents that were provided to him. However to our surprise we received a letter dated 09/29/09 from First Data informing us that our merchant account has been closed and the amount of $15, 850.64 which was remaining in our account was placed on hold. We contacted Mr. Frank Davenport and he stated the hold is for a future charge back possibility and we should call him back in 30 days, as he needed time to release the funds.

We never had any charge backs affecting our account. We never had a fraudulent card processed through our terminal and for the past five years we have not even had a charge back inquiry. We contacted the first data at the end of October and were informed that they reserve the right to hold on to the funds for up to 18 months and that I should call back in 60 days for release of fund. Now that we have contact them in 60 days we have been given the same story repeated over and over again followed by a demand of returned phone call, this time in 90 days. We called 12/29.09 and 12/31/09 talked to him and his co-worker and they told us same thing that they have right to hold our badly needed fund with out any reason for up to 18 months. We don't have any charge back inquiry in our account. The time frame for the client to request a reasonable charge back request has already elapsed. The products were delivered to the client’s home and installed as permanent fixtures inside their resident over four months ago; therefore there are not any logical or justifiable explanations of why the merchant processing center is holding to our funds.

We are asking for the funds to be released into our account.a

FIRST DATA SOMEHOW OBTAINED OUR BANKING INFORMATION AND PROCESSED A MONTHLY FEE OF 59 FOR 11 MONTHS WITHOUT OUR AUTHORIZATION.

THE STATEMENTS WENT TO A BUSINESS NAME ADDRESS, THEY HAD THE ACCOUNT AS A DIFFERENT NAME, WITH MY SPOUSES NAME AS CONTACT.

WE NEVER USED THEIR SERVICES. I AM COMPLAINING TO THE BANKING COMMISSIONER! RIP OFF...

Wish us luck. Husband was able to communicate with sales rep, and they agreed to take back the equipment, and cancel our lease. They are 'allowing us to opt out of the lease, with return of equipment, and full payment of the remainder of the lease.' So far so good, but reviewing the comments have us shaking in our proverbial boots. we're going to send a cashier's check, and close the bank account attached to the lease. Sending equipment back insured, with signature confirmation required. same with payment. fingers crossed. thank you all for sharing your stories. what a scam they're running.

I have had horrible luck with credit card processors for my business. They are all liars. I learned from the first company about the four year lease deal and made absolutely sure that I was not involved in that again with this company. The sales agent assured me and even put it in writing that I would get 250.00 back which was the cancellation fee. I kept saying that I wanted to only deal with one company not three and that I only wanted one person taking money out of my account. I even had them put it in writing on the contract that I would be refunded upfront the money. No where did they say that I was to be tied into an u-breakable lease. When I called back to cancel it, guess what. They were fraudulent, liars, miss-leading etc. . I was told that my total bill would be 57. which was the "processing fee" not "terminal lease" plus around 12 dollars per month.. They never said anything about being pci compliant. That shoe is still to drop. I called to cancel in less than a week and was put through to a very determined lady to make me look stupid for not "understanding the contract". I told her that I understood perfectly that they mislead me
what do I do now. I read the complaints and found out that the state of Florida won a lawsuit against them. !

I leased a credit card machine in January 2016. I only kept it for 1 1/2 months. In that time I had three red flags. On two occasions, money was deducted out of my account incorrectly. On my lease paperwork, they signed me up for a 48 month lease when I had only agreed to 36 months.
I returned machine and have to pay to get out of the lease.

Milna Rosario
Mental Health Solutions
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