High-risk solutions

High Risk Merchant Account & Payment Processing

We build custom high-risk merchant accounts to meet your business needs

If you're looking for the best high-risk merchant account solution, Zen Payments can help. We are a merchant services provider with over 15 years of experience in credit card processing for high-risk merchants. More than just merchant accounts, we find gateway solutions, ACH processing, and chargeback tools for just about everyone. Whether you're facing challenges due to your industry, very poor credit, or prior business history, we can get you the payment processing you need.

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Understanding risk

Why Are Some Companies ConsideredHigh-Risk Merchants?

Many payment processing companies like Stripe, PayPal, and Square will deny services if they see you are processing within high-risk industries. Restricted industries are called that because transacting in that industry comes with increased risk for the payment processor. The merchant account providers are on the hook if any of the following risks occur: chargebacks, a high volume of returns, payment default, or increased risk of fraud and illegal activity. You may also be deemed a high-risk business for a few additional reasons, like your business model, transactional history, or personal financial data.

If your business has been deemed high-risk, you need a high-risk payment provider and merchant account, or customers won't be able to buy your product and will likely go to a competitor. However, these providers often compensate for the risk with higher fees than necessary. When you partner with a high-risk merchant services provider, make sure that company is experienced. At Zen Payments, we offer stable high-risk merchant accounts to support merchants in all kinds of industries and circumstances.

The basics

What Is a High-RiskMerchant Account?

A high-risk merchant account is a payment processing tool that gives higher-risk business types the ability to accept payments. A high-risk merchant has a higher likelihood of experiencing chargebacks, defaults on payments, fraud or other illegal activity, high return volume, and other risks. This is typically true of companies in a high-risk industry. A company may also be considered a high-risk merchant if the business owner has bad personal credit or is a brand-new merchant without a payment processing track record to analyze. These types of merchants often must use a high-risk merchant account to be able to accept credit and debit card payments.

Here at Zen Payments, we believe that good merchants should be able to process payments and secure a merchant account, regardless of industry. Payment processing shouldn't be exclusive to low-risk merchants. Banks and other payment processing companies might label a business high-risk for many reasons, including the following:

Instant approval

High-Risk Merchant Account Instant Approval:How It Works

The merchant account application process can be a tedious one, especially for merchants in a high-risk industry. Merchant service providers have a list of requirements that you'll need to meet for high-risk merchant account approval. This list typically includes showing your EIN, Articles of Incorporation and other corporate documents, bank statements, merchant passport and ID, and other financial statements. After this, you'll go through the underwriting process to receive a risk score. This is an intense process that can often take weeks to complete. However, many payment processors are moving to an instant approval system.

With our instant approvals on high-risk accounts, you can get credit card processing solutions faster than ever. Many payment companies are learning that a quicker approval process means more satisfied customers.

As a result, merchant account providers such as Zen Payments are cutting down on the restrictions and streamlining the underwriting process. When you send in a merchant account application, your file can be reviewed by our automated systems and we can grant you instant approval for high-risk accounts. Let Zen Payments start helping you get set up with a merchant account for your business today!

Get Approved Today

A fast approval doesn't necessarily mean a permanent merchant account. Our underwriting team will double check all of the information you provided to make sure it matches your business details. Be upfront and honest about your business from the start. If your name, ownership, location, or industry turns out to be incorrect, the bank can cancel your contract immediately, interrupting your transaction processing and cash flow and leaving you without the ability to accept payments.

It depends on your application, not on a fixed list of industries. Not every high-risk business qualifies. To evaluate applications more efficiently, the first pass is done through programmatic filters, and a person reviews the account afterward. For example, your merchant application has many details about your type of business, website, and payment history. The automated tool evaluates this information instantly and provides a predetermined outcome based on your data.

Your merchant account will still be reviewed more thoroughly after approval. The goal for your payment provider is to get you credit card processing capabilities as soon as possible. Accordingly, an underwriting team will eventually double-check all of the information you provided to ensure it matches your business details. Be upfront and honest about your business information from the start, or you may experience interruptions in your transaction processing and cash flow when our underwriters find that your business information is inaccurate.

If your company solely processes online payments, you may be eligible for an automatically approved merchant account. The standards for online businesses and physical retail stores are a bit different when it comes to creating merchant accounts. For one, your address and place of business don't always have to be the same location, which is why many international companies seek out automatic approvals for online businesses. Learn more about our e-commerce merchant accounts.

Usually, no. A common reason merchants look for instant approvals is that they don't want their credit checked, or they were declined in the past because of their credit score. Getting an instant merchant account with no credit check is rare. Checking your credit history is still part of the application process, but it can be evaluated more rapidly, and Zen Payments is less selective than other payment processors when it comes to credit score. The standards for the merchant account haven't changed just because the approval time decreased. Read more about no credit check merchant accounts and bad credit merchant accounts.

Our strengths

Why Zen Payments for Your High-RiskMerchant Account and Payment Processing?

Not every business we work with will qualify for an instant approval, but we make the approval process simple and worry-free. When you work with us, you won't need to stress about making it through the underwriting process.

We have one of the highest approval rates in the industry and can work with many different business models. Our extensive network of over 15 banks and high-risk processors enables us to have a 98% approval rate on average. Even if the business owner's credit score is low, we'd love to chat! In fact, we often work with people who have credit scores as low as 500.

We pride ourselves on our competitive rates, offering the lowest rates you'll find in a high-risk processing company. Many high-risk merchant account providers overcharge for payment processing solutions. At Zen Payments, your financial success means everything to us, so we will never overcharge for our payment processing services. We are dedicated to keeping our prices low and your costs down.

Along with setting you up with a merchant account, we offer a plethora of payment solutions. Zen provides both online and point-of-sale payment gateways so your customers can pay at your brick-and-mortar business and make mobile payments securely over the internet. Our payment terminals accept payment cards (debit cards or credit cards) from Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. You can also apply to accept PIN debit, fuel cards, EBT, eCheck, and gift cards. Additionally, with our software you can set up automated billing and invoices.

Zen Payments utilizes cutting-edge technology to keep your money and that of your customers safe. Our card readers and virtual terminals follow PCI DSS (the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) to mitigate credit card fraud, shield cardholder data, and protect your revenue. We use state-of-the-art encryption technology for secure payment and fee processing. Whether you're taking payments from customers in person or online, Zen Payments' merchant account solution will process transactions securely.

Zen Payments also offers services designed for risk management. As a high-risk merchant, your business is at a higher risk of chargebacks and fraud. To prevent this, Zen Payments' merchant account solutions include services to mitigate chargebacks and fraud.

We offer interchange-plus pricing, which provides you with greater transparency and potential savings. You can see exactly which fees the card networks charge you, plus our markup for the services we provide.

Our customer service representatives are some of the best in the business. Our reps are dedicated to giving you a superior account management customer experience as they help with the onboarding of your high-risk processing business. You can reach out to customer support 24/7 for help with your in-person and online payment processing or to provide us with feedback on how to improve our services.

Industries we serve

High-Risk MerchantAccount Industries

High-risk merchant account industries are ones that require a specialized account to take payments from credit and debit cards. Listed above are reasons a normally low-risk client could become high-risk. Any one of those reasons can mean you need this kind of merchant account.

Some industries are seen as high-risk because of strong regulations or being considered disreputable to the bank. When you are on the high-risk merchant list, it's harder to set up a business bank account. You have to jump through more hoops to obtain a payment processing solution.

Zen Payments has been helping businesses in high-risk verticals obtain merchant accounts for over 15 years and has streamlined the process for our high-risk clients. Some industries on the high-risk merchant list include:

If you are in one of these industries, having reliable, reputable payment processing is game-changing. We know the challenges each of these industries face, and will not only provide you with a high-risk account but also a unique plan for your business. Our in-house team has the solutions you are looking for.

Get Started Today!

Payment gateway

Best Payment Gateway forHigh-Risk Merchants

High-risk payment processing gives your company the ability to accept payments online even if you're operating in unique verticals. High-risk payment providers like Zen Payments offer specialized accounts to keep your business transacting smoothly.

If you operate a high-risk business, we can help you set up a payment gateway that provides all the capabilities you need at a competitive price. High-risk business credit card processing solutions from Zen Payments are the fast and easy way to gain a competitive edge and position yourself for future financial growth. Talk to our team today about these and our other advanced solutions to see how we can help you find your zen.

By opening a high-risk merchant account with Zen Payments, you gain access to our dependable merchant services that can help you mitigate the risks associated with running a business in a high-risk environment. We work with a network of banks that allows us to find the best fit for you and your business. Fill out an application with us and get started processing today!

Need a merchant
account?

If you're seeking a payment processing platform that can positively impact your business, Zen Payments is here to assist. Get started today by contacting us online or calling our merchant services specialists at 877-715-4501. We'll get you approved quickly so you can accept online payments within a couple of days.

Get started with Zen Payments
Fill out this form and a merchant services representative will be in touch!
Phone Number

Already filled out a form?  Login

Answers before you apply

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Our automated underwriting can grant preliminary approval within minutes, followed by a full review by the bank, usually within 24-48 hours and up to 3-5 business days for typical high-risk cases. See how instant approval works above.

Your customers can pay with a number of methods including:

  • Payment cards (debit, credit, gift, fuel, EBT)
  • PIN debit
  • eCheck
  • ACH
Zen lets your business accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. There are also a variety of other payment options that you can accept using Zen's merchant processing.

Zen Payments quickly helps businesses get set up with a merchant account. We equip high-risk businesses with some of the industry's best payment processing solutions to help ensure a smooth cash flow. Here are just a few of the types of businesses that Zen frequently works with:

  • Online gambling
  • Retail
  • Software as a service
  • Sports betting
  • Telemarketing
  • Web design

1. Third-Party Gateway Integrations

You can integrate with several popular third-party gateways, including NMI, Authorize.net, PayPal Payflow Pro, USAePay, and CyberSource. These gateways feed into Zen Payments' processing network, allowing you to choose the gateway that best fits your feature preferences.

2. Virtual Terminal

Zen Payments offers a secure virtual payment terminal, enabling merchants to accept payments manually, by telephone call, mail order, email orders, or for keyed-in card data, without needing a physical POS terminal.

3. In-Person & Mobile Point-of-Sale Terminals

For physical retail, Zen supports a range of countertop and mobile terminals, including EMV/chip and contactless readers compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Smartphones and tablets can also be used as part of our mobile POS ecosystem.

4. Online & E-commerce Gateways

Zen integrates smoothly with all e-commerce storefronts and shopping carts. We provide RESTful APIs and SDKs (JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, etc.) that support plugins and hosted or embedded checkout flows. Platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, Prestashop, OpenCart, Chargebee, Chargify, Konnektive, Recurly, and ClickFunnels are all supported.

5. Checkout Solutions

Zen also provides flexible checkout options to reduce cart abandonment. You can choose between hosted, embedded, or API-first (headless) checkouts. These support optimized UX, tokenization, fraud protection, and conversion-enhancing features like smart localization, BNPL tools, dynamic coupons, and abandoned cart recovery.

Zen Payments takes data security seriously, especially because many of the businesses we serve are in high-risk industries. To protect sensitive information and prevent fraud, we implement a multi-layered security approach that meets and exceeds industry standards.

First and foremost, Zen Payments is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant. This ensures that all cardholder data is stored, processed, and transmitted securely. PCI compliance involves using encrypted communication, maintaining secure networks, regularly testing for vulnerabilities, and restricting data access to only authorized personnel.

Zen Payments also uses tokenization to protect customer data during transactions. Instead of storing actual credit card numbers, the system replaces them with randomized tokens that are useless to hackers if intercepted. This reduces the risk of data breaches and ensures sensitive information isn't exposed.

We also provide end-to-end encryption, which ensures that data is securely encrypted the moment it is entered into a payment system and remains protected throughout transmission. This is especially important for e-commerce, mobile, and virtual terminal transactions.

For fraud prevention, Zen Payments offers built-in tools such as AVS (Address Verification Service), CVV verification, velocity checks, and real-time transaction monitoring. These features help identify and block suspicious activity before it becomes a problem, reducing the chances of chargebacks and financial loss.

Finally, Zen Payments regularly updates its systems and undergoes compliance checks to stay ahead of evolving threats. Our team works closely with merchants to ensure security settings are optimized based on business type, transaction volume, and risk level.

To sum up, Zen Payments ensures data security by combining PCI compliance, advanced encryption, tokenization, credit card fraud prevention tools, and ongoing system updates, giving merchants and customers peace of mind.

Our representatives are experts on high-risk credit card processing and will help you quickly get set up with a high-risk merchant account. Zen Payments' customer support team will live up to their reputation for being helpful and knowledgeable, and you can reach customer support 24/7 for help with your in-person and online payment processing. With the feedback we receive from our customers, we continue to improve our services and the customer experience.

1. Submit Your Application

Start by filling out our online form, providing key details about your business, such as its legal name, industry type, processing volume, and how long you've been operating. Our system uses a mix of human review and automated underwriting tools to generate fast (often same-day or within 24-48 hours) responses.

2. Gather Required Documents

Zen Payments requires standard underwriting documentation, including your Articles of Incorporation, EIN letter, a copy of the owner's government-issued ID, recent bank statements (usually 3-6 months), financial statements or tax returns, and a voided check or bank letter. If your business is already processing payments, supplying recent merchant statements can bolster your application.

3. Underwriting Review

After you submit the documents, we'll do our due diligence in the underwriting stage of the approval process. Zen Payments uses automated filters to expedite basic approval and then performs a deeper manual review. We perform a risk assessment looking at financial stability, business model, credit score, credit history, processing history, ownership structure, and any high-risk indicators like chargeback or refund rates.

4. Receive Approval and Terms

When approved, you'll receive a merchant agreement outlining your processing rates, fees (often a percentage of each transaction), any reserve requirements or holdbacks, contract terms, and funding schedules. You can expect pricing transparency. High-risk accounts often incur higher rates and may include reserve requirements, rolling reserves, holdbacks, or longer contract terms. Breaking your contract can result in a termination fee.

5. Account Activation & Integration

Once you sign the agreement, we'll activate your merchant account and assist with gateway setup, whether through Authorize.net or another compatible gateway, and provide tools for in-person, virtual terminal, and e-commerce payment acceptance.

6. Ongoing Monitoring & Support

After setup, Zen provides fraud tools, chargeback management, regular reviews, and technical support. You'll typically receive next-day or same-day funding, depending on the plan you sign up for.

Zen Payments includes invoicing tools as part of its payment platform. Its recurring billing feature includes automated invoicing, which is ideal for managing subscriptions, memberships, or other recurring payment models. You can create and send invoices on a scheduled basis, streamlining billing while reducing manual work and making sure your business is receiving a steady stream of revenue.

Still have questions? Contact our support team

High-Risk Merchant Account & Payment Processing | Zen Payments