Exposing the Dark Side of Payments: When Processors Turn Predatory

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

The Case That Says It All

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

Their response? Silence.

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

How Card Brand “Compliance” Became a Profit Center

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

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

MATCH List Removal: Legal Pressure That Works

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

Who Needs to Hear This Episode?

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

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

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

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

Visit Global Legal Law Firm today: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

Super ISOs Are Reshaping the Payments Industry—Are You Keeping Up?

The payment processing landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once a top-down ecosystem dominated by acquiring banks and processors is now increasingly driven by a new force: Super ISOs. These fast-moving, well-capitalized organizations are effectively operating as mini-processors, and they’re rewriting the rules of how merchant services are delivered and scaled.

In this episode of The Payments Experts Podcast, produced by Global Legal Law Firm (https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/), Managing Partners James Huber and Christopher Dryden sit down with Director of Operations Jeremy Stock to break down how Super ISOs have flipped the traditional model—cutting out middle layers, forging direct relationships with sponsor banks and card brands, and offering agents more flexibility, fewer restrictions, and better economics.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why Going Registered Isn’t the Endgame Anymore:
  Unless you're boarding 500+ deals a month, becoming a registered ISO might not be the smartest path. Super ISOs offer pricing, support, and tech infrastructure most mid-size players simply can’t match.
• Processor Politics and the $4M Surprise:
  Learn how even top-tier ISOs are being blindsided by sudden clawbacks, policy changes, and one-sided amendments—like the now-infamous $4 million repayment demand from CardConnect.
• Legal Landmines Around Agent Classification:
  The blurred lines between independent contractors and de facto employees are exposing ISOs and MSPs to serious liability—especially when agents leave and take portfolios with them.
• The Unregulated Agent Problem:
  Without a formal “bad agent list,” problematic agents who repeatedly flip merchants continue to wreak havoc—raising compliance, brand, and portfolio stability concerns.

Whether you're scaling your ISO, building a PayFac, or working as a seasoned agent, this episode delivers insider legal and strategic insights to help you stay competitive and compliant in this fast-changing environment.

Ready to navigate the modern payments landscape with confidence? Subscribe to The Payments Experts Podcast and visit globallegallawfirm.com to learn more.

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

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

Stuck on the MATCH List? What Every Payments Professional Must Know to Protect Merchants and Portfolios

In the merchant services and payments world, few issues are more business-threatening than being placed on Visa and Mastercard’s MATCH list. For merchants, it can mean account terminations, frozen processing, and reputational damage. For ISOs, agents, and payment facilitators, it can trigger portfolio instability, residual loss, and merchant attrition—often without warning.

In this episode of The Payments Experts Podcast, produced by Global Legal Law Firm, our guests include Bryce Van De Moere, Esq., and Global Legal’s Director of Operations, Jeremy Stock, to unpack the complex legal and operational realities behind MATCH list placement, dispute, and removal. If you’re advising merchants, managing portfolios, or scaling fintech operations, this is essential listening.

Why This Matters to Payments Professionals

Processors, acquirers, and card brands are increasingly aggressive about risk monitoring and merchant termination. Once a merchant lands on the MATCH list, finding a new processing home becomes exponentially harder. For payment professionals, this creates portfolio churn, increased compliance exposure, and potential residual revenue loss.

Our attorneys break down:

• The top reasons merchants are placed on MATCH and how to identify red flags early.
• Why many MATCH placements are preventable with proactive legal guidance.
• How improper reporting or processor missteps can result in merchants being flagged unfairly.
• The growing role of fraud, chargebacks, and regulatory scrutiny in MATCH list enforcement.

Strategies for Disputing and Removing MATCH Placements

MATCH removal isn’t as simple as filling out a form—it requires a strategic legal approach and a deep understanding of processor relationships and network rules. Our experts walk through:

• When and how to challenge an incorrect MATCH designation.
• How merchants, ISOs, and facilitators can work together to minimize long-term damage.
• The importance of building evidence, documenting disputes, and leveraging legal expertise to negotiate with acquirers.
• Why taking action quickly is critical to preserving merchant processing continuity.

Protect Your Portfolio and Your Merchants

For ISOs, agents, payment facilitators, and fintech leaders, MATCH issues go beyond individual merchants—they represent a direct threat to portfolio stability and growth. Without a clear removal strategy, you risk losing clients, shrinking revenue streams, and facing reputational harm with upstream processors.

If you’re serious about protecting merchants, safeguarding residuals, and strengthening your portfolio, this episode delivers actionable insights from the payments attorneys who specialize in MATCH disputes and high-risk merchant processing.

Listen now to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate MATCH list disputes and keep your merchants—and your business—moving forward.

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

Visit Global Legal Law Firm today: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

Non-Competes, Non-Solicits, and Your Bottom Line: What Every Payments Professional Must Know

The fine print in your payment processing agreements could be quietly limiting your earning potential, career mobility, and business growth—and you might not even realize it. When was the last time you scrutinized the restrictive covenant language buried inside your ISO, agent, or partnership agreements?

In this episode of The Payments Experts Podcast, produced by Global Legal Law Firm (https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/), our payments attorneys Christopher Dryden and Leo Arzumanyan join Jeremy Stock to break down the hidden legal risks behind non-compete and non-solicitation clauses—and why understanding enforceability is critical if you work anywhere in merchant services, fintech, or payments processing.

Why These Clauses Matter in Merchant Payments

In California, non-competes are prohibited—and non-solicitation provisions are generally unenforceable. But in states like Texas and Florida, certain restrictions are permitted—provided they’re narrowly tailored by geography, time, and business scope.

The problem? Many ISO and agent contracts ignore these limits entirely, embedding clauses that wouldn’t survive legal scrutiny but still succeed at intimidating professionals into compliance. Our experts explain how processors and ISOs sometimes leverage overreaching language to restrict competition, limit residual rights, and control relationships with merchants, sub-agents, and vendors.

Red Flags That Could Be Costing You Deals

We unpack troubling industry trends, including:

• Overbroad definitions of “affiliates,” “partners,” and “vendors” that make compliance nearly impossible.
• Restrictions that violate worker mobility rights, locking professionals out of opportunities with other processors, payment facilitators, or merchant portfolios.
• Clauses so expansive you could be in breach the moment you sign, even without realizing it.

Our attorneys share real-world cases where payment professionals unknowingly forfeited significant opportunities—or even residual streams—because of contractual traps buried deep in agreements.

Why Legal Review Is Essential for ISOs, Agents, and Fintech Leaders

In the rapidly evolving world of merchant payments and fintech, contract reviews are not a formality—they’re a strategic necessity. The balance between protecting legitimate business interests and preserving your professional freedom has never been more critical.

Understanding which provisions are enforceable—and which aren’t—can be the difference between growing your portfolio and being boxed out of the market.

Don’t Let Restrictive Contracts Control Your Future

Whether you’re an ISO negotiating a new processing agreement, an independent agent protecting your residuals, or a fintech leader scaling operations, this episode arms you with insights to negotiate smarter, secure your business interests, and protect your career mobility.

Subscribe to The Payments Experts Podcast and visit globallegallawfirm.com to get the knowledge you need to stay competitive in an industry where contract language often overreaches—and your freedom to operate is on the line.

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

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

AI in Payments: Innovation, Illusions, and Legal Risk

Artificial intelligence is transforming the financial world—and the payments industry is no exception. In this episode of The Payments Experts Podcast, produced by Global Legal Law Firm, we examine both the breakthrough opportunities and critical blind spots AI presents for payment professionals.

The Hidden Risks of AI-Drafted Contracts

The discussion opens with a cautionary trend: merchants and agents using generative AI tools to draft payment processing agreements without legal oversight. While these contracts may appear polished, they often miss vital industry-specific nuances—especially in areas like residual compensation, liability allocation, and ISO-agent structure. The result? Agreements that fail to protect the interests of key parties and create unnecessary exposure to disputes and financial loss.

As the legal team points out, the payments ecosystem is highly specialized, and today’s AI tools lack the contextual understanding to navigate these complexities. Relying on AI for contract generation without expert review is a growing and dangerous misstep.

Where AI Shows Real Promise in Payment Operations

Shifting to the upside, we explore how AI is being leveraged by advanced payment organizations to enhance underwriting, risk modeling, and fraud detection. We also delve into AI's potential role in residual reporting, highlighting a real-world case where an ISO transitioned from a transparent system to a limited reporting platform—coinciding with agent residuals dropping by 10 to 25 percent. This example underscores the opportunity for AI to bring much-needed transparency and accountability to agent compensation.

Understanding AI’s Limits and Legal Implications

Perhaps the most important insight from this conversation is understanding what AI can’t yet do. We address the well-documented issue of AI hallucination—where systems confidently generate false or misleading content. In an industry governed by compliance, regulation, and contractual accuracy, this presents a significant risk.

As one host notes, "AI is just a word predictor that often hallucinates to please you." That sobering reminder drives home the central thesis of this episode: AI is a powerful tool, but not a replacement for domain expertise and legal due diligence.

Who Should Listen

Whether you're an ISO building tech-enabled solutions, a merchant deploying AI across operations, or a payments attorney advising clients on risk management, this episode offers critical guidance for navigating AI’s growing role in our industry—intelligently, responsibly, and profitably.

Have you encountered AI-generated errors in your payment documents or agreements? The team would love to hear your experience.

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

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

What’s Really in Your Agent Agreement? Legal Pitfalls Every Payments Professional Should Know

In the world of merchant services and electronic payments, contract pitfalls aren’t just inconvenient—they can be career-altering. Agreements that look standard at first glance often include fine print that chips away at residuals, restricts future business opportunities, or limits your rights to dispute unfair terms. Unfortunately, many ISOs and agents don’t realize the risks until it’s too late.

In this episode of The Payments Experts Podcast, produced by Global Legal Law Firm, seasoned payments attorneys Christopher Dryden and Leo Arzumanyan join Jeremy Stock to break down what every industry professional should be watching for in ISO and agent agreements—before signing on the dotted line.

Residual Revenue at Risk

Compensation clauses often sound fair—until you realize the residuals can vanish after termination, or that new fees introduced into merchant accounts might quietly reduce your take-home. Dryden warns, “Unless you've got some sort of residual revenue share pool calculation, how do you really know what you're getting?”

Many agreements lack transparent monthly reporting, and some include tight dispute windows or waiver provisions that prevent agents from contesting underpayments.

Restrictive Covenants That Go Too Far

Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses are often drafted far broader than what’s enforceable. Arzumanyan points out, “They make it so broad where just by executing the agreement, you might already start violating it from day one.”

These clauses can block agents from working with a wide—and sometimes ambiguous—range of processors, vendors, and affiliates, creating compliance traps from the outset.

Cross-Border Contracts and AI in Legal Drafting

The conversation also explores the growing complexity of cross-border agreements in a global payments landscape, and how emerging AI tools are starting to reshape how contracts are written and contested.

Why Legal Review Isn’t Optional

Too often, legal help is sought after disputes erupt. By then, the options are limited, and the damage is done. This episode offers practical, proactive guidance from payments law experts on how to spot red flags early, negotiate fairer terms, and protect your residuals, client base, and business autonomy.

If you’re serious about building a sustainable business in merchant services, this is essential listening.

Listen now to protect your portfolio and future-proof your payments career—with legal insights direct from the attorneys who specialize in the payments industry.

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

Visit Global Legal Law Firm today: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

Dual Pricing Is Exploding—But Most Merchants Are Getting It Wrong

If you've noticed more businesses offering different prices for cash versus credit, you're not imagining things. Dual pricing is gaining serious traction among merchants looking to offset rising card processing costs. But behind the growing popularity lies a compliance maze that too many business owners are navigating blind.

In this episode, Joe Wilkins, Managing Partner at Great Credit Card Processing, (https://greatcreditcardprocessing.com/), joins Leo Arzumanyan and Jeremy Stock of Global Legal Law Firm to break down the real-world challenges of cash discounting and dual pricing—and why getting it wrong can carry serious consequences.

At first glance, it sounds simple: “Every product has two prices—one for cash, one for cards.” But as Wilkins and the legal team explain, proper implementation is anything but simple. From receipt formatting and signage to item-level pricing and customer disclosures, the fine print matters. And while dual pricing is legal in all 50 states, improper execution remains one of the most common compliance pitfalls in the industry.

Here’s where the conversation delivers real value for payment professionals and merchants alike:

• Why ‘following the crowd’ leads to bad implementations
• How pricing strategies can trigger regulatory attention and consumer backlash
• The compliance differences between surcharging and dual pricing—and why it matters

Joe also shares how his team helps merchants stay compliant through hands-on support, including in-person training, ongoing audits, and even covering the cost of menu and POS updates to reflect compliant dual pricing structures.

The conversation highlights a key regional insight: states like New York have significantly higher merchant awareness thanks to public education campaigns. But for multi-state operators, navigating inconsistent consumer expectations adds another layer of complexity.

Whether you're a merchant looking to adopt dual pricing, an ISO building out a compliant offering, or a payments consultant advising clients, this episode delivers clear, actionable insights into a space that’s becoming more crowded—and more regulated—by the day.

As Joe puts it: “Payment processing doesn’t have to be confusing. You just need the right partner and the right playbook.”

Visit Global Legal Law Firm today: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

Why Cybersecurity Is Now a Revenue Imperative for Payment Processors—and a Lifeline for Merchants

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it's now a frontline concern for revenue protection, portfolio stability, and merchant survival. In this episode, industry veteran Jon Aronson, who’s been shaping payments since 1994, speaks with Christ Dryden and Jeremy Stock as he breaks down how AJ Global Cybersecurity is redefining merchant protection through a mix of Quick Reactionary Funds and a robust six-layer defense architecture.

We confront a critical stat that can’t be ignored: 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. And yet, many merchants still rely on outdated antivirus tools that offer little protection against today’s coordinated, AI-driven attacks. John outlines how his team delivers immediate financial lifelines during ransomware incidents, giving merchants crucial time to act strategically rather than paying ransoms in desperation.

What sets this discussion apart for payments professionals is the revenue angle:
Payment processors are now embedding cybersecurity into their service stack, creating recurring revenue streams while reducing downstream risk. It’s not just about protection—it’s about portfolio value, attrition reduction, and long-term trust.

We also explore:

• AI-driven threat detection modeled on real-time counterintelligence strategies
• Cyber due diligence in M&A—why breaches can tank valuations overnight
• How to position cybersecurity as a value-added service to boost merchant retention and acquisition

With decades of experience spanning both payments and cybersecurity, John offers a rare hybrid perspective that merges operational know-how with technical precision.

Whether you're an ISO hunting for new monetization paths, a merchant navigating increasing digital threats, or a processor aiming to de-risk your book, this conversation delivers actionable intelligence to help you stay ahead of evolving threats—and capitalize on the opportunity they present.

Subscribe for more insights that help you turn risk into revenue and complexity into competitive edge.

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

Visit Global Legal Law Firm today: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm