I just filled out my so called "compliance" on-line questionaire last night on the Security Metrics website. I am a small business that builds and remodels pools. I only have the merchant account in case someone wants to charge their project on a card (rarely).
Because some of the questions dealt with stuff I didn't even handle or know about, I called the tech support number at Security Metrics, which I feel is also a joke, to guide me through taking their "compliance" questionaire. He basicly had me answer "yes" to everything, and this would make me compliant. Simple. Although some of my answers would have been "no", he, on the down-low, suggested, "but you AGREE to comply." So I'd mark "yes."
To no suprise, I'm now in "compliance." So, basicly, they charged me $120.00 to tell them what they wanted to hear.instead of rewarding those who are in compliance, they make you pay to show them. This is a load of crap.
I am new to the merchant account services (May '08). I thought this was a usual practice. Odd, but usual. Now that I see that I am not the only one who feels scammed, I will definitely go to my bank to demand my account be credited. I hope more of you will follow our lead and complain. First Data needs to retract these charges and make a better effort to inform its customers whenever a new fee is enacted. At least this will give us the opportunity to stay, and get screwed, or leave to find a reputable company.
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