We take our role in providing guidance and education regarding the card payment industry very seriously. At our own expense, we have vigorously defended our right to continue expose unethical and predatory practices in the industry, successfully defeating every attempt to silence us. However, fending off frivolous lawsuits is costly. To sustain these efforts, one of the ways we generate revenue is through affiliate partnerships with ethical providers. This means that some of our outgoing links connect business owners to trustworthy, low-cost payment processors, which is what most of our readers seek. We see this revenue channel as a win-win-win for everyone involved. Business owners find good processors, processors get good clients, and we are able to continue to provide a valuable service to the small business community. We also recommend and link to many services that do not compensate us. Our priority is to guide you to the best solutions for your needs, regardless of potential revenue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.
POSSIBLE NAME CHANGE: Please note that Cambridge Payment Systems appears to have rebranded as "Corpay" with a focus on cross-border payments. If you have any information about this development, please leave it in the comment section below.
Company Overview
Cambridge Payment Systems is a nationwide full-service merchant account provider. The company's website was unavailable from early 2014 to mid-2017, during which time it operated under the name "Fortis Payment Systems." However, Cambridge Payment Systems appears to have revived its original brand name, as its Cambridge site is once again active. The Fortis Payment Systems website states that Cambridge was sold to iPayment Inc. at the end of 2007. In turn, iPayment is now part of the Paysafe brand.
Cambridge Payment Systems Payment Processing
Cambridge Payment Systems processes all major debit and credit cards for most business types. Their services include mobile solutions, e-commerce solutions, MOTO, EMV readers and card swipers, and access to the Authorize.Net payment gateway.
Credit Card Processing with Cambridge Payment Systems
The flagship service offered by Cambridge Payment Systems is its credit card processing. This service enables businesses to handle a wide variety of card payments in a secure and smooth manner. The system's design enhances trust and ensures an efficient payment experience for businesses and their customers.
Point of Sale Systems from Cambridge Payment Systems
Cambridge Payment Systems offers advanced point of sale (POS) systems. These systems integrate seamlessly into different business operations and provide a variety of functions including transaction processing, inventory management, and employee tracking, thus offering a comprehensive solution for business needs.
Mobile Payment Solutions by Cambridge Payment Systems
In response to the growing need for mobile and remote transactions, Cambridge Payment Systems offers mobile payment solutions. This service allows businesses to process card payments from mobile devices, providing convenience and flexibility for on-the-go operations.
Cambridge Payment Systems' E-Commerce Solutions
Recognizing the increasing importance of online business, Cambridge Payment Systems offers robust e-commerce solutions. This service enables businesses to handle online transactions securely and efficiently, providing a seamless online shopping experience for customers.
Virtual Terminal Services by Cambridge Payment Systems
Cambridge Payment Systems offers virtual terminal services for businesses that require a flexible solution for managing transactions remotely. This feature allows businesses to manually enter card details into a secure online system, making it easy to handle transactions over the phone or through mail orders.
Security Measures from Cambridge Payment Systems
Security is a top priority for Cambridge Payment Systems. They provide advanced security features including encryption and comprehensive fraud monitoring tools. These measures are designed to protect businesses and their customers from potential security threats, establishing trust in the transaction process.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Under 10 Complaints
There are fewer than 10 Cambridge Payment Systems reviews to be found on the usual consumer protection websites, and there is no evidence that the company is scamming its clients. Most of the available Cambridge Payment Systems reviews are found in the comment section below this review and our Fortis Payments review, and they cite hidden fees, nondisclosure of contract terms, and difficulty canceling service. If you have your own Cambridge Payment Systems review to make, please do so in the comments below.
Cambridge Payment Systems Lawsuits
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Cambridge Payment Systems. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
Cambridge Payment Systems Customer Support Options
Cambridge offers an online help center as well as a dedicated account manager, but it is possible that the company relies on iPayment for its customer support. The company’s website does not list any direct phone or email support options for clients. The available evidence does not suggest that this credit card processor should qualify as a top-rated processor for customer service at this time.
Given the general lack of complaints about specific issues, we will award the company an “A” rating at this time. However, it should be noted that the company’s trend in this category is a negative one over the past year.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
BBB Reports
N/A
No BBB Rating
Cambridge Payment Systems currently does not have a rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB-accredited. The company has received 0 complaints in the past 36 months. The BBB states that it does not have enough information about Cambridge to issue a rating for the company, and we see no reason to adjust the BBB’s score at this time.
Processing Rates & Fees
Higher-Than-Average Fees
There isn’t much hard evidence regarding the standard Cambridge Payment Systems contract at this time, but there are a few details available via client complaints. According to one client, Cambridge Payment Systems enforced an early termination fee of $495-$695, an undisclosed PCI compliance fee, and a monthly PCI noncompliance fee of $30. There are also scattered mentions of monthly equipment costs of up to $50.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Cambridge Payment Systems also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services through Authorize.Net. A typical Authorize.Net contract includes a rate of 2.90% plus $0.30, a monthly gateway fee of $25, and a batch fee of $0.10. However, Cambridge Payment Systems reserves the right to alter these terms and conditions as a reseller of Authorize.Net’s payment gateway. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these e-commerce services.
More Expensive Fees Than Average
Although these fees are more expensive than industry averages, it is unclear at this time how representative they are of the company’s standard terms. We have seen a few complaints that mention hidden fees, but the amounts and names of these fees are unclear. Based on the sale of Cambridge to iPayment (now Paysafe), one of the worst-rated providers, it is possible that contracts through Cambridge Payment Systems could have similar, if not identical, terms to those of iPayment. If you have any knowledge of the standard Cambridge Payment Systems contract, please leave that information in the comment section below this review.
Cambridge Payment Systems offers access to the popular Authorize.Net payment gateway
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
Independent Sales Team
Cambridge Payment Systems appears to utilize ISOs and independent sales agents to market its services. The use of independent agents is commonly linked to elevated complaint rates due to the lack of training and oversight that these agents typically receive. In this case, we have found a few Cambridge negative reviews that mention hidden fees, false pricing, and nondisclosure of contract terms. The complainants do not elaborate beyond these claims, so it’s hard to say what exact items might have been concealed by Cambridge or Fortis agents. If you suspect that Cambridge Payment Systems is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden costs.
No Misleading Quotes
As a point in the company’s favor, the Cambridge Payment Systems website does not promote any misleading rate quotes intended to deceive merchants. Considering the fact that it has only received a few vague complaints, we will assign the company an “A” rating at this time with the caveat that this is on pace to change in future updates.
Cambridge Payment Systems Competitors
Compare Cambridge Payment Systems to competitors that earned top marks.
Cambridge Payment Systems rates as a reliable credit card processing provider according to all available information, and the company does not appear to be a ripoff. There are some Cambridge Payment Systems complaints, but most of them are too vague or outdated to lower the company’s score in this review. Business owners are still encouraged to request and review all relevant documentation before signing up for service and to compare the company’s terms to those of top-rated providers.
