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(800) 231-7087Company Overview
Launched in 2017, AMP Payment Systems is a merchant account provider that serves most standard-risk business types. AMP Payment Systems does not disclose the identities of its ownership or management team, but we have found strong evidence to suggest that the company is yet another business name launched by the management team behind Eschelon Merchant Services, EMV Payment Systems, and Smart Card Merchant Services. Eschelon and Smart Card both have “D” ratings from CPO, making them two of the worst-rated merchant account providers on our site.
Credit Card Processing
There is not a lot of info on the AMP site as to what products they offer. AMP does appear to process most major debit and credit cards and mentions POS systems including tabletop EMV terminals, wireless EMV terminals, smartphone options, tablets, PC card-based swipers, and EMV pads. They also do receivables factoring, cash advances, ACH loans, and American Express Business Financing, plus they claim to offer marketing services.
AMP Payment Systems’ POS Systems
The company offers flexible POS systems tailored to the unique requirements of individual businesses. These systems offer much more than transaction processing, they help streamline inventory management, employee scheduling, and sales tracking to enhance overall operational efficiency.
Mobile Payment Solutions from AMP Payment Systems
AMP Payment Systems understands the need for mobile payment solutions in today’s business environment. Their mobile payment service is designed to be fast and reliable, accommodating transactions for businesses on-the-go or those who operate outside of traditional storefronts.
E-commerce Payment Gateway by AMP Payment Systems
For businesses operating online, AMP Payment Systems offers an e-commerce payment gateway. This service supports a variety of online payment methods, offering the secure processing of transactions, and providing a seamless checkout experience for customers.
Transaction Security with AMP Payment Systems
Security is paramount at AMP Payment Systems. The company uses advanced encryption and fraud detection technologies to ensure the safety of all transactions. Compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is maintained to safeguard sensitive customer data.
Possible Aliases
In addition to the names listed above, AMP Payment Systems is also registered in the state of Arizona by “Covington Ridge Financial, LLC” and has used “Covington Ridge Financial” and “Covington Financial” in some of its official materials. The company “VS Card Services” is listed at the company’s headquartered address. It has also registered the domain name “merchantsupport.services,” and we have seen company representatives refer to this name in some of its official materials. One merchant reports that the company identified itself as “The Interchange Provider” in a sales call. Business owners should be prepared for the possibility that the company may launch additional brands or contact them using names other than the ones we have found.
Location & Ownership
AMP Payment Systems is a registered ISO/MSP of Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, OH. The company lists 1990 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85015 as its address on its website, but the Better Business Bureau states that AMP Payment Systems is located at 7000 N 16th 120 Phoenix, Arizona 85020. This address is also the address of a UPS Store that AMP Payment Systems could be using as a forwarding address. In addition, we have found multiple AMP Payment Systems job listings that give 3320 W Cheryl Dr, Phoenix, Arizona 85051 as the company’s actual address. This address is the address of record for Eschelon Financial Group and is also the address given on the Smart Card Merchant Services Better Business Bureau profile. The LinkedIn profile for Joseph Settles lists him as the “executive” at AMP Payment Systems since 2016, however, ZoomInfo lists an Anthony Dominguez as CEO. Shanan Mohatt is the senior vice president of sales at AMP Payment Systems, while Jovita Robertson served as the director of operations at Covington Financial and Smart Card Merchant Services at the time of our last update.
AMP Payment Systems Pros and Cons
pros
- Few
cons
- Connections with very poorly-rated processors
- Reports of poor sales tactics
- Concerning reports from former employees
- Accusations of slamming
- Poor contract terms
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Offers a multi-year contract with a $375 early termination fee and…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number more than 10 on…
- BBB Rating: Currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 2 complaints and 1 review in…
- Sales & Marketing: Hires independent sales agents and has received a handful of…
AMP Payment Systems Customer Complaints & Reviews
Here's What Users Think
Complaint Summary
|
Total Online Complaints
10+
|
Live Customer Support
Yes
|
Most Common Complaint
Sales Tactics
|
|
Recent Lawsuits
Yes
|
Moderate Complaint Volume
We are currently able to locate more than 10 AMP Payment Systems reviews, some of which accuse the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Common negative AMP Payment Systems reviews include undisclosed fees, improperly advertised equipment leases, telemarketing, unreachable customer service, and a poor work environment for the company’s employees. This AMP Payment Systems complaint total is moderate-to-high for a company that is relatively new, and it doesn’t even include a much larger number of Eschelon Merchant Services, EMV Payment Systems, and Smart Card Merchant Services complaints that could potentially be connected to AMP Payment Systems staff members. If you have your own AMP Payment Systems review to make, please do so in the comments below.
AMP Payment Systems Lawsuits and Fines
We have found a lawsuit from 2020 brought against Covington Ridge Financial, LLC, an alternate name for AMP Payment Systems. This case involved auto-dialing practices used by Covington/AMP and was settled out of court.
Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
AMP Payment Systems Customer Support Options
AMP Payment Systems offers phone support and also sends clients to merchant support services for online complaint resolution. Some AMP Payment Systems complaints state that these channels are slow to respond. It is also AMP’s official policy to discourage clients from contacting their sales agents for customer support after their accounts have been activated. Business owners should expect that they will be unable to reach their sales agents once they begin to accept payments through AMP Payment Systems and that this is by design. In our view, this disqualified the company from being considered a top merchant account for customer service.
AMP Payment Systems Customer Service Number
- (800) 231-7087 – Toll-Free General Customer Service
Other Support Options
- Customer support form
- Customer service email at [email protected]
AMP Payment Systems BBB Rating and Report
Our Better Business Bureau Profile Assessment
BBB Summary
|
BBB Reports
3
|
Note: We have adjusted this company’s BBB rating according to our own standards. To better understand why we adjust BBB ratings, please see our Rating Criteria.
Under 5 Complaints
AMP Payment Systems currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB-accredited. The company’s profile is currently showing 2 complaints in the last 36 months. Both complaints were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or received no final response.
What Merchants Say
AMP Payment Systems has also received 1 informal review from clients, which was negative in tone. The most recent negative informal review describes aggressive telemarketing tactics:
I (my business) has received numerous calls pushing me to switch to their (AMP’s) service. No matter how many times I say no or not interested they continue to call. I get the same garbage follow up call from a supervisor saying how their trainee didn’t get their message across and how I was misunderstanding them. I used the first word many of us learned as children “No” but they continued to push and push. This is is aggravating and predatory. I would never do business with them as a result of their behavior.
Constant sales calls can be stressful and detrimental to a company’s productivity and thus their business. Clients facing a situation like that which is described in this review should become aware of how to shut down sales calls.
A “D” Performance Overall
Considering the number of unresolved complaints, we have therefore adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “D”.
AMP Payment Systems Fees and Rates
A Closer Look at the Contract
Cost Summary
|
Cancellation Penalties
Yes
|
Monthly & Annual Fees
Yes
|
Processing Rates
1.00% - 4.99%
|
|
Equipment Leasing
Yes
|
Long-Term Contracts
AMP Payment Systems rates are not disclosed on its website, and business owners have not filed public complaints that specifically mention many of its transaction fees, PCI Compliance fees, monthly minimums, or other fees. The only reports we have found suggest that the standard AMP Payment Systems contract is a multi-year agreement with an early termination fee of $375 and a non-cancellable, four-year equipment lease through a third-party provider.
Beware Equipment Leases
Smart Card Merchant Services is known to package its credit card processing accounts with equipment leases through First Data Global Leasing, and we have seen reports indicating that AMP may be selling similar agreements to merchants. First Data Global Leasing is notorious for providing long-term, non-cancellable, expensive equipment leases. These leases often generate more complaints than the client accounts that they are originally sold with. It should be noted that most credit card terminals can be purchased for under $500. Non-cancellable, long-term leases mean a client can pay thousands for that same equipment making them a contract term to avoid.
No Sign of Savings
We have no reason to believe that AMP Payment Systems offers more competitive card processing contract terms than the “D” rated terms provided by Eschelon Merchant Services or Smart Card Merchant Services. The company’s use of third-party equipment leases makes it impossible for us to recommend it, especially in combination with business owner reports of insufficient sales disclosure. Businesses are more likely to receive significant savings through a cheap merchant account provider. We also encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.
AMP’s card reading solutions
AMP Payment Systems Jobs and Employment
Hiring Standards and Ethical Marketing Assessment
Key Points
|
Uses Independent Resellers
Yes
|
Telemarketing
Yes
|
Misleading Marketing
No
|
|
Discloses All Important Terms
No
|
Telemarketing and Outside Sales
AMP Payment Systems primarily markets its services through a combination of in-house appointment setters and independently contracted sales agents. This sales approach is also the standard at Eschelon and Smart Card, and it tends to generate a high number of complaints due to the lack of sufficient training and oversight for agents. AMP Payment Systems appears to be no exception, as we are able to locate a handful of AMP Payment Systems reviews that describe excessive telephone calls, aggressive in-person sales tactics, unprofessional conduct, and misrepresentation of AMP Payment Systems rates and fees. Some employees of the company also complain about low-quality leads, insufficient training, and high employee turnover.
A 2019 AMP Payment Systems review from a former employee on Glassdoor backs up these concerns, describing deceptive sales tactics that the company encourages in its sales agents:
Not 1 good reason to work there. They tell lies about the contracts we sign your company up for. Fake information given. Fraud advertisement. Bogus lease agreements Take care of your clients and their needs, instead of focusing on just making money for your company.
“Slamming” Concerns
Some business owners have accused Smart Card Merchant Services of tactics that closely resemble “slamming” scams, in which a Smart Card Merchant Services agent will call and claim to be with “Merchant Services” in order to persuade a business to purchase unnecessary new credit card processing equipment. This is supported by a comment that was mistakenly posted in the comment section below our CardSmart Merchant Services review:
Smart Card Merchant Services cold called me and said our business rating had changed and wanted to know whether I wanted to accept an upgrade to our account for better credit card processing fees.
The telesales agent made it seem like we had a relationship with them, but when I asked they said we did not. I asked them to put the upgrade offer in writing but she said she could not, but could schedule an in-person interview. We scheduled a date and time and I asked her to send email confirmation, but it never appeared. Strike 1.
On the date in question, I called the number on the website and reached someone who confirmed there was an appointment and they had my email address wrong. So obviously they don’t know much about my business, and when I said it was a cold sales call, they insisted it was not since they knew our credit rating had improved.
I told her I would be a little late for the meeting since it wasn’t confirmed. I was five minutes late – the rep was 45 minutes late. Strike 2.
During the meeting, the rep would not put anything in writing and proceeded with a number of hard sell / hard close sales gambits. He was vague about details and said I have to commit, they only review accounts once a year and I have to decide now. I told him I needed to talk to my partners and he continued to try to close the sale.
He finally wrote some things on his business card with a *not guaranteed* on it. He said he was not selling me, but rather his goal was to screen me out.
I called the next day and told him we were interested and whether he could send me the contract so we can review the terms and sign. He told me he can only meet in person. Since my partner is in another state, I told him we would be happy to do that but he would have to fly across the country. He said he can’t do that. Strike 3.
We decided the sales process and business practices are too sketchy for us to engage with them. They promise great rates, but won’t put anything in writing and keep saying “it depends”.
While we have not done business with them, they managed to waste a lot of my time and proved to be incompetent with sketchy business practices at best. At least as far as we are concerned, they are out.
It’s strange they behave so unprofessionally. We are currently paying sky-high rates for credit card processing and it appears they can save us a lot of money. But we can’t risk a core part of our business dealing with a vendor who:
1) Has deceptive sales techniques
2) Insists on meeting in person and is 45 minutes late
3) Won’t send a contract to review
If Smart Card Merchant Services uses this tactic, then it is possible that some AMP Payment Systems employees will also use this approach. One of the company’s alternate business names, “merchantsupport.services,” seems perfectly designed for sales agents to claim that they are with “merchant support.” In addition, we have seen a complaint stating that an AMP Payment Systems agent claimed to represent “The Interchange Provider,” which is similarly vague. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Too Many Red Flags
We believe that AMP Payment Systems was created to provide Eschelon Financial Group with a clean alias to continue using the same sales tactics that clients have complained about from its other brands. We have not seen any indication that AMP Payment Systems’ approach differs significantly from the conduct of its partner businesses, and therefore we have given it the same “D” rating in this section as the other companies. Businesses are advised to review all documentation with extreme caution and be on the lookout for incomplete rate disclosures, hidden fees, and undisclosed equipment leasing agreements with AMP Payment Systems. If you suspect that AMP Payment Systems is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking an independent statement audit that can eliminate hidden fees from your monthly statement.
AMP Payment Systems Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts and Opinions
AMP Payment Systems rates as a subpar credit card processing provider according to our rating criteria. The company appears to have gone to great lengths to conceal its connections to Eschelon Financial Group, but client complaints have already revealed that its practices are essentially identical to its fellow “D” rated companies. We will continue to monitor business feedback and raise or lower the company’s rating accordingly, but we would advise business owners to contact a top-rated merchant account provider if they are interested in low costs and quality customer service.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Brian J
This company is repeatedly calling my company even after multiple requests for them to never call again. I am reporting them to better business bureau. Horrific people.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
michelle falok
This the worst company anyone can work for or even use their products.. They sale you the leases then lock you in a contract for over 6 years. and if you miss a payment then you will have to pay them.. do not i repeat do not use them for your processor. I’ve had very bad experiences with them when I worked their and also, when I had my brothers company sign up with them. WARNING DO NOT USE THEM DO NOT WORK FOR THEM EITHER
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Hugo Robles
An AMP employee programmed an AMP terminal that was provided to me (KickAZ Cycles). This AMP terminal was erroneously programmed by an AMP employee to send my (KickAZ Cycles) money to another person’s account (Harold). AMP freely admits this error in programming and fully recognizes and acknowledges the amounts, where and to whom AMP/Vantiv sent money/property belonging to me (KickAZ Cycles). Furthermore, AMP refuses to immediately return my (KickAZ Cycles) money/property pending further investigation. Although AMP/Vantiv already knows the cause, amount and location of property that AMP improperly gave to someone else, AMP will not immediately return said property?
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Joel Bessire
AMP Payment systems promised me I’d get bankers rates and only have to pay 1.51% processing fee or .05% debit fee with a transaction fee of 10 cents per transaction and an additional $20 fee instead of all of those pesky transaction fees I am normally encumbered with. I would also have to lease my equipment (can’t purchase it). Well, I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I figured I would save about 50% from what I was being charged even with having to rent the equipment. Instead I was paying over double from what I was paying plus the $78 for the equipment rent. I then cancelled, they told me I would have to pay an additional $375 to cancel even though they lied to me (I kept the notes the salesman was telling me of the savings). I tried to get AMP management to do what they promised they didn’t so I cancelled. Then the credit card leasing company told me I had a non cancellable lease. I am now in the process of complaining to the attorney general and am going to small claims court to try and get this resolved. What a nightmare. Whatever happened to companies that did what they told you they would do? This is a very unethical company that puts their hooks into you so they can keep collecting money even after they have been fired. Buyer beware.
From The Editor
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Ryan Lee
These people are extremely rude and unprofessional. They speak to you as if you’re the most uneducated person on Earth. Not to mention if you try to talk, they will cut you off and not even bother to listen to you. They also insulted our staff in saying they do not know how to relay a message to us, which is inaccurate. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE!
From The Editor
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Anthony Beven
I received several aggressive sales calls during a busy day at my business. They said they would be able to cut my rates in half, even though I am paying approximately $400 through Fidelity, a legitimate company. Savings are always nice, but when the AMP Payment sales rep. showed up to meet with me today I asked what his BBB rating was. He said he had no idea and to “look it up on the website.” I was surprised at that response. I asked him how long he has been in sales. He said a “long time.” I said I have been as well, and I always have answers for my prospective clients so they don’t have to ask. He shrugged his shoulders, and offered to call corporate. I said no thanks. I then read him some reviews from the BBB website, and he again said “let’s just call corporate.” I said let’s conclude this meeting, and I will call corporate myself. About 10 min. after he left, I received a call from the “scheduling manager.” I explained all of their negative reviews online, and she got very aggressive and disrespectful toward me. This company is not the type of business I would work with on any level. Avoid them. Save yourself a huge headache.
From The Editor
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jacob Smith
I have been working with AMP Payment Systems for the past 3 years. At first of course I was a little hesitant but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt because this industry is horrible. I have had nothing but good things happen. The sales rep checks up with me once a week or once every two weeks. The Customer support is extremely professional and help you with anything you need. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY
CPO
Hi Jacob,
Please reply to this comment with your business name and location in order to authenticate your testimonial. Thanks!
JACOB SMITH
Just curious why my review is being questioned. I don’t have to disclose any information. But on the other note I have seen bad reviews and positive reviews on your website that you haven’t questioned them and what their business name is and where they are located.
CPO
Hi Jacob,
We request authentication for all unverified positive testimonials on this website. Our rationale is outlined in our Testimonial Policy. If you have found unverified positive testimonials on CPO for which we did not request authentication from the commenter, please reply to this comment with their location.
Steve Fox
THIS IS A SCAM!! THESE PEOPLE ARE DECEPTIVE WITH ALL THE HIGH PRESSURE BS AND LIES ONE WOULD ASSOCIATE WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF FRAUD!
I have over the past three weeks received not less than 4 telemarketing calls from theses people A-HOLES.
The “pitch” goes something like this:\
Hi this is “who cares” from “Merchant Services” calling to tell you that there has been a “CHANGE” to your merchant account. Me: Okay… Him: Yes due to your low denial and charge back history and rating you qualify for…… blah, blah, blah.
I have to literally yell at the last telemarketer to get him to listen to me when suddenly another guy, the TRAINER of the guy who initially called , telling him he was doing a great job. The “trainer” then began the same “pitch” again. Saying that since I had ‘minimal’ charge-backs I qualified for a “special” … blah, blah, blah.
So after I let the “pro” try his sales tactics on me I asked him this very important question:
“How can I have changes to my merchant account if, in the 28 years that I’ve been in business, I HAVE NEVER HAD A MERCHANT ACCOUNT?!!!????!!!
He answered me with a “Yes or NO” question and “DEMANDED” I answer but I just kept repeating: How can there me changes on MY merchant account if I’ve never had one” It became a shouting match. Lol
I told him he was a liar and this is an obvious fraud with a very slimy sales pitch. The guy started trying to talk over me again so I escalated my tone and voice volume to match him till he hung up. Lol
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Kevin J. Hough
Very misleading sales pitch, to the point of inappropriateness. Very arrogant,condescending, offensive and even irritated when we declined their services. I filed a compliant with the Texas Attorney Generals Office. This is at the 3rd time I crossed paths with these people
I would extra to keep from using these creepy guys
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