Épisodes

  • Travel Agencies: Your Complete Payment Survival Guide 2025
    Dec 5 2025

    Most travel merchants are operating with a financial time bomb they don’t even know is ticking. In this episode of the Payments Guy, Frank breaks down why the travel industry is one of the highest-risk categories in payments, how banks evaluate future-delivery risk, and the practical moves that keep your cash flow safe. If your business depends on collecting money now for future delivery, this is the roadmap for keeping the money flowing and your merchant account stable.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • 01:47 - Why travel merchants face more scrutiny
    • 05:32 - The make-or-break details underwriters need to see before they’ll trust you with a merchant account
    • 08:24 - The payment structures that keep you funded instead of frozen
    • 09:32 - Understanding reserves, and how to negotiate them
    • 11:30 - Preventing disputes before they happen
    • 14:44 - The steps to take immediately if your account gets frozen or terminated

    When you understand how banks think, you can build stable, long-term processing that protects your cash flow and your business. If you’re a travel merchant who wants stable payment processing, stronger approval odds, or protection against funding freezes, visit paydiverse.com or email support@paydiverse.com to get in touch with an expert today.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    18 min
  • CBD Merchant Accounts: Why 90% Get It Wrong & How to Avoid Shutdowns in 2025
    Nov 21 2025

    Most CBD brands don’t lose sales because of bad marketing, they lose them because their payment processor shuts them down without warning. In this episode, Frank exposes the hidden traps that quietly cripple CBD merchants, and reveals the exact steps that keep your business protected. If you’re selling CBD online, this is the playbook that separates brands that scale from brands that get stopped in their tracks.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • 01:19 - Why platforms like Stripe, PayPal, and Square seem CBD-friendly at first and the exact moment their risk teams pull the plug, freezing your revenue overnight
    • 03:00 - The number one document every CBD product page must have to avoid termination
    • 04:34 - Risky phrases that put merchants on the radar for long-term account instability
    • 06:19 - What underwriters really look for before they approve you
    • 08:22 - The non-negotiable paperwork stack every CBD merchant needs
    • 10:27 - The hidden traps that collapse your ability to process payments

    If you’re a CBD merchant who wants stable payment processing, backup accounts, or help fixing a shutdown, Frank and the Paydiverse team are ready to support you. Visit paydiverse.com or reach out at support@paydiverse.com to protect your business and keep your payments running smoothly.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    15 min
  • The Truth About the MATCH List — How to Recover After Your Merchant Account Gets Terminated In 2025
    Nov 7 2025

    In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank breaks down one of the most intimidating challenges merchants face: being placed on the MATCH list. You might be wondering: is this a business death sentence? If you’ve ever had your merchant account shut down or been told you’re “high-risk,” this conversation is essential.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • 01:30 - What MATCH stands for and who controls it
    • 02:53 - The most common triggers that lead to MATCH list placement
    • 08:23 - What it means to be on the MATCH list and the recovery steps to take immediately
    • 10:43 - Why the right documentation can dismantle assumptions of fraud, rebuild credibility, and get your ability to process payments back online
    • 12:31 - Why being on the list isn’t the end of the world

    With the right strategy, many merchants can rebuild processing stability and secure future payment approvals. Visit paydiverse.com or reach out directly at support@paydiverse.com for guidance on protecting and restoring your ability to process payments.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    17 min
  • PayPal Account Terminations: High-Risk Merchant Processing Guide 2025
    Oct 24 2025

    PayPal is an easy-to-use payment processor, but that convenience comes with a cost. In this episode, Frank covers PayPal account terminations and real payment alternatives for high-risk merchants. As thousands of online businesses lose access to PayPal every month, Frank explains exactly how PayPal’s approval system works, why so many merchants get flagged, and the concrete steps you can take to protect your business from sudden shutdowns and frozen funds.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • Why PayPal terminates accounts and how its payment facilitator model exposes merchants to sudden risk
    • Common industries labeled as “high risk”and the termination triggers that lead to frozen funds
    • What to do and what not to do immediately after termination
    • The account switch that will protect your cash flow
    • The underwriting process explained: how it protects your business and speeds up approvals when done right
    • Proven strategies to keep your account safe and the one golden rule every merchant must follow

    If your PayPal account has been shut down or you’re in a high-risk industry, don’t wait until it’s too late. Visit paydiverse.com to get matched with a trusted high-risk merchant provider today.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    21 min
  • VAMP 101: Visa’s New Fraud Rules—Explained in 10 Minutes
    Jul 4 2025

    In this episode, Frank covers Visa’s new VAMP fraud rules and what they mean for high-risk merchants. He explains how chargebacks and TC40 fraud reports now combine into a single fraud ratio—and why exceeding 0.9% could get your account shut down. With acquiring banks under stricter pressure, over 250,000 merchants are expected to be terminated by year-end. Frank shares what merchants must do to stay compliant, plus how tools like PayDiverse’s VAMP Monitoring can help.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • 01:20 – What the VAMP program is and why it replaces two previous Visa monitoring systems.
    • 02:17 – The role of TC40 fraud reports and why they now matter just as much as chargebacks.
    • 06:33 – How to calculate your fraud ratio and what the new thresholds mean for businesses.
    • 07:22 – The types of merchants most at risk.
    • 08:50 - The steps merchants should take to prepare for the new VAMP guidelines and how PayDiverse’s VAMP Monitoring Tool helps merchants stay compliant and avoid penalties.

    Don’t wait until Visa flags or fines your account. Start monitoring your fraud metrics now. To learn more about VAMP compliance or to get visibility into TC40 reports, visit the PayDiverse website or connect with Frank Cena for personalized support.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    11 min
  • Payment Declines: Fixing Failed Transactions for High-Risk Merchants 2025
    Jun 20 2025

    In this episode, Frank covers why high-risk merchants experience unnecessary payment declines—and what you can do to fix it. He breaks down the invisible tech behind transaction approvals, from 3D Secure and BIN reputation to smart routing and network tokens. If you're losing sales to unexplained declines, this episode shows how to recover revenue and improve approval rates fast.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • 01:43 – The real reasons legitimate payments are getting blocked and what banks view as “suspicious”
    • 04:17 – The surprising downside of 3D Secure at checkout
    • 05:29 – What’s a BIN, and why does its reputation affect your bottom line?
    • 10:41 – How to use smart routing and networks tokens to improve your approval rate overnight and protect recurring revenue
    • 14:10 – Why Stripe, Square, and PayPal aren’t built for high-risk businesses, and what you should use instead if your business is considered to be high-risk

    Don’t let invisible tech hurdles stop your next sale. With the right moves and consultant, you can dodge declines, recover lost revenue, and build better processing flows. Want expert help diagnosing and fixing your transaction issues? Head to paydiverse.com and send the team a message. It’s time to get your payments back on track.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    18 min
  • Merchant Account Approvals: What Underwriters Want in 2025
    May 2 2025

    In this episode, Frank covers how high-risk merchants can speed up merchant account approvals by understanding exactly what underwriters are looking for. He breaks down the key documentation you’ll need, common mistakes that delay approvals, and how to present your business as low-risk from day one.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • 01:07 - Why underwriters assess risk in the first place.
    • 02:08 - An overview of the must-haves for legitimacy and what mistakes get applications rejected.
    • 6:09 - What to prepare for your merchant account application, including the financial proof underwriters expect.
    • 10:40 - Pro tips to speed up approval.

    Need a hand getting your merchant account approved? Head over to paydiverse.com or drop us a line at support@paydiverse.com. We’ve done this for years and we know how to make it easy. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Payment Guy for more insights on making smarter payment decisions that fuel your business growth.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    18 min
  • Payment Processing Terms Explained for Business Owners 2025
    Apr 18 2025

    In this episode, Frank covers the essential payment processing terms high-risk merchants need to understand to avoid hidden fees, bad pricing models, and costly mistakes. From interchange rates to chargebacks, PCI compliance to flat-rate pricing, Frank simplifies the jargon so you can make smarter decisions, reduce your costs, and protect your business.

    In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered:

    • 01:30 – What a merchant account and payment gateway actually are, and why understanding the difference matters for smooth payment processing.
    • 04:00 – How fees like interchange, discount rates, and reserves work, and how to avoid getting overcharged.
    • 07:17– What chargebacks really mean, how to calculate your chargeback ratio, and why banks take it so seriously.
    • 11:45– How PCI compliance and fraud monitoring protect your business—and the preventable fees they help you avoid.
    • 13:57 – The truth about flat rate, interchange-plus, and tiered pricing—and how to choose the right model for your business.

    Understanding your payment processing terms isn't just good business, it's essential. If you need help decoding your fees, ensuring PCI compliance, or negotiating better terms, Frank and his team are here to help. If you learnt something from this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review—this will help more business owners stop overpaying and start thriving.

    Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq

    Connect with PayDiverse:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse
    Website: http://www.paydiverse.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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    20 min