Cliq Payment Services Reviews & Complaints
Overview
In this article, we'll take a close look at Cliq, a merchant account provider in Costa Mesa, California, known for a wide range of services including chargeback management, mobile and e-commerce solutions, and recurring billing. We'll explore the effectiveness of their mobile payments system, how they integrate with e-commerce platforms, and the robustness of their security and fraud protection measures. Additionally, we'll assess Cliq's customer support quality and delve into the specifics of their contract terms, fees, and rates. Key points also include a critical examination of common customer complaints, industry ratings, and the impact of Cliq's legal history. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Cliq's services and their implications for businesses seeking reliable payment processing solutions.
About Cliq
Located in Costa Mesa, California, Cliq is a merchant account provider that previously operated under the name CardFlex.
Cliq Payment Processing
Cliq processes most major debit and credit cards for standard-risk business types. Their services include chargeback management, POS solutions, mobile solutions, PCI compliance, prepaid cards, tip-management, expense cards, card-n0t-present payments, payroll, and ACH solutions.
Mobile Payments
With the growing importance of mobile commerce, Cliq provides the necessary tools for businesses to accept payments via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This feature enables companies to offer their customers a modern, convenient payment method, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
E-commerce Integration
Cliq ensures easy integration with multiple e-commerce platforms, allowing businesses to create and manage their online stores with minimal hassle. The seamless integration process optimizes the online checkout experience, enabling customers to complete their transactions efficiently.
Security and Fraud Protection
Cliq places a strong emphasis on transaction security, implementing advanced fraud prevention measures and utilizing cutting-edge encryption technology. This approach safeguards both businesses and their customers against potential fraudulent activities, fostering a secure payment environment.
Recurring Billing
For businesses that provide subscription services or require ongoing payments, Cliq offers a streamlined recurring billing feature. This service simplifies the billing process, ensures timely payment collection, and contributes to effective cash flow management.
Customer Support
Dedicated to providing exceptional customer support, Cliq employs a team of knowledgeable professionals who are available to assist businesses with any concerns or issues they may encounter while using Cliq's payment processing services.
Location & Ownership
It is unclear whether all of the restrictions applied to CardFlex (see below) will also apply to Cliq, but it seems likely that at least some of the injunctions against CardFlex's principals will endure. Cliq resells Cynergy Data contracts. Cliq is a registered ISO/MSP of WoodForest National Bank of The Woodlands, Texas; and of Stride Bank, N.A. The company is headquartered at 2900 Bristol Street, Building F, Costa Mesa, California 92626. Andy Phillips is the president and CEO of Cliq.
Video Summary
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Online reporting tools. | Additional fees for eCommerce |
| No setup fee. | High early termination fee. |
| Accepts major credit cards. | Tiered pricing model. |
| Offers ACH processing. | Lengthy contract term. |
| Fraud and risk management. | Non-disclosed monthly fees. |
| Dedicated customer support. | Complaints about fund holding. |
Cliq Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Total Online Complaints | 10+ |
|---|---|
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | Termination Fees |
| Recent Lawsuits | Yes |
Review Analysis of Cliq Payment Solutions
Our examination has revealed over 10 negative reviews concerning Cliq Payment Solutions, with accusations ranging from the service being labeled as a scam to dissatisfaction with specific operational aspects. Notably, a significant portion of the complaints seem to stem from an isolated incident involving a large fund hold. However, other businesses have echoed similar concerns about substantial fund holds, steep early termination fees exceeding $1,500, and rate increases post-signup. Recent feedback has also highlighted challenges with Cliq’s payroll system, particularly its shift to paying employees via reloadable Visa prepaid cards instead of traditional direct deposit. While Cliq has engaged with some customer feedback professionally and resolved a number of issues, the nature of these complaints has influenced a “B” rating for the company. We invite customers to share their experiences with Cliq Payment Solutions in the comments section below to further enrich our community’s insight.
Legal Challenges Involving Cliq’s Affiliates
In July 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) pursued legal action against CardFlex, an affiliate of Cliq, over allegations of processing over $26 million in unauthorized charges on behalf of I Works. The settlement in March 2015 resulted in restrictions on CardFlex’s processing activities for certain high-risk merchant categories.
Additionally, CardFlex faced legal actions in 2019 and February 2021 related to issues with merchant accounts leading to chargebacks and substantial fees. These cases highlight ongoing legal scrutiny and litigation involving Cliq’s affiliates, with the latter case still pending resolution.
Support Services Offered by Cliq
Cliq provides customer support through a dedicated phone line and an online contact form. However, it’s not definitively stated whether these services are directly managed by Cliq or through its partnership with Cynergy Data. Despite these efforts, Cliq has yet to be recognized as a leading merchant account provider for exceptional customer service.
Contact Information for Cliq Customer Service
- (866) 634-3044 – Toll-Free Customer Service
Additional Support Mechanisms
- Online customer support form
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Cliq Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
| BBB Rating | N/A |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 3 |
| Average Rating | 3 |
BBB Rating Analysis
Cliq has no customer rating and a grade of “A+” on the BBB based on 3 customer reviews. Common themes in the reviews focus on the debit card side of the company.
Negative Feedback
I was in good standing for multiple months with Cliq and had been reaching my month limit. I reached out to Cliq to increase my monthly limits on Aug 2nd 2022. I was told to submit some paperwork and they would review my account. On Aug 4th I emailed saying that I had not received my payout from Aug 1st. I was told that there was now a hold on my account to review my account. I continued using Cliq for another week which turned into $36K that Cliq owed me. I sent messages almost daily to check on the status of the review but I was always told it was “passed it to management to review.” Finally on Aug 10th I was told that my account was terminated for “The account…processed prepaid cards (and) we tried completing purchases several times and they were not successful.” I’ve reviewed the Merchant Processing Agreement and it states ” ********* Services will initially be set up to accept all debit and prepaid card types.” In regards to the purchases not working I told them I would like to work together to get that fixed. On Aug 10th I stated “After you emailed me initially I fixed it. I’ve attached proof that the processing works. I also do not control how my customers want to pay and I don’t believe that should be costing my business.” After emailing almost daily It wasn’t until *** 13th I was told they did a reevaluation and that upper management will not approve a release even though I did not break any terms. I was told “I understand that it has been a month but due to the closure reason we may have to wait until the end of ***.” Meaning the end of *** was the latest i’d have to wait. I was also told within the same email that ” (they) will keep reviewing the account to see if any CBs or rejects are coming in and if (they) dont see any in a week (they) will follow up with upper management and request a release.” I emailed again on the 27th stating that the next week would be the start of October and I was told late September at the latest. I have no heard back.
– Complaint from October 5, 2022
I recently signed up for a debit card for my son through them and they took my **** for my subscription. So today I try to change funding source since I just got the card and activated it and was trying to add money and it gave me an error. So I contacted support through chat and was told they didn’t receive the money for the subscription and I can’t unlink my bank. He also said that varo doesn’t work with their company but others are using that bank for them, seeing the lady who referred me uses her varo bank account. I asked for my money back and he simply said no. I don’t know where to turn to at this point but to u guys for help.
– Review from May 23, 2022
Positive Feedback
There are no positive reviews for Cliq on the BBB website.
Source: BBB
Cliq Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
|---|---|
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
| Processing Rates | 1.00% - 4.99% |
| Equipment Leasing | Undisclosed |
Three-Year Contract
The standard Cliq contract entails a 3-year agreement through Cynergy Data, featuring automatic 1-year renewal. It includes an early termination fee of $495 or Liquidated Damages, an annual PCI Compliance fee capped at $300, a monthly PCI non-compliance fee capped at $50, tiered pricing, and various minor fees. Cliq also offers equipment leases, which may have separate terms.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Cliq also promotes its virtual terminal and payment gateway services on its website. However, pricing for these services is not disclosed. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates, typically apply to these e-commerce services.
Calculating Cliq’s Termination Fee
Cliq’s grade in this category is significantly affected by two policies. Firstly, its early termination fee is notable. As per the contract, clients canceling before the initial three-year term’s end face a fee of either $495 or their average monthly processing costs multiplied by the remaining contract months, whichever is higher. This fee, regardless of the amount, surpasses industry averages, potentially reaching thousands of dollars due to the liquidated damages clause, which we consider excessive and disproportionate to the company’s actual losses.
Cliq Fund-Holding Policy
Secondly, a large number of client complaints regarding Cliq’s cash reserve policies contribute to the company’s grade. While it’s common for processors to withhold funds to guard against fraudulent charges, Cliq faces numerous complaints about substantial fund withholding. Although some complaints may be exaggerated or duplicate, there appears to be a persistent issue with fund withholding as a precautionary measure. While understanding Cliq’s need to protect against fraud, business owners should be prepared to take action to release withheld funds. As of 2021, Cliq, operating as CardFlex, has been sued for excessive fund holding.
Cliq Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
|---|---|
| Telemarketing | No |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Inside/Outside Sales Team
Cliq appears to utilize both inside and outside sales agents to market its services. It is unclear at this time whether the company employs independent contractors or W-2 employees, but we are not seeing a complaint volume consistent with the use of independent sales entities. There are currently a handful of negative Cliq reviews online that mention nondisclosure by the company’s sales agents, usually regarding the company’s early termination fee (ETF), which appears to be a very large amount in most cases. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
No Deceptive Rate Quotes
Cliq does not appear to engage in deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials, although it has removed its contract terms from its website since it rebranded to its current name. If you suspect that Cliq is overcharging you, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to permanently eliminate hidden fees.
Our Cliq Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Cliq receives an average rating as a credit card processing provider according to all available information. The company’s contract terms are potentially very costly, but they have not resulted in a correspondingly high complaint volume for Cliq. The company’s settlement with the FTC has not severely impacted its rating in this review, but business owners should be aware of its details and consequences. Business owners are advised to compare Cliq’s pricing to that offered by top-rated payment processors.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Holley Hoffman
As an attorney, I’ve represented several merchant clients regarding outrageous early termination fees, being wrongfully placed on the Terminated Merchant File, fraud, breach of contract, etc. against Cliq when it was known as CardFlex. There was a disturbing pattern of conduct on their part that resulted in many merchants being destroyed. I’m assisting with such a case in New York where my client was forced to file his lawsuit when CardFlex changed jurisdiction to avoid lawsuits in Orange County where its corporate offices are located and where I filed my lawsuits. I’m very interested in hearing from other merchants who have experienced the disgusting CardFlex/Cliq practices. Please contact me at my email address. Thank you.
Cliq
Cliq has reached out to the moderator of this site and we have not been granted access to reply to the comments made above. We are not a bank or financial institution, and apologize for any grievances many of you have expressed with your financial institution. At Cliq, we strive to provide the best level of service possible and continue to make improvements year after year. We thank you all for the feedback and would love to discuss any issues further. We are always just a Cliq® or call away.
Phillip CPO
We offered Cliq the opportunity to participate in our Complaint Mediation Program, wherein they can work with us to resolve customer complaints. To date, they have refused to participate in this our program.
Andy Phillips
Hello Phillip,
I was directed to this site today. Frankly, I was taken aback. First, the lawyer representing herself as Holley Hoffman shall be communicated with directly. It would appear that she is attempting to use this site as a method of advertisement.
Ms Hoffman did in fact represent a client that Cliq serviced in 2010. The case has been dismissed, with prejudice for a variety of reasons. It is public, so feel free to look it up if you so desire. She states she has sued CardFlex for defrauded merchant(s). As stated above, the represented one merchant, even after it was proven that her client had forged documents as his evidence of wrongdoing, thus being terminated by two prior attorneys.
Ms. Hoffman then solicited information from a former disgruntled employee through your site.
Cliq is both an Acquirer and an issuer. I was not aware of the cardholder complaints. I know that we take customer service very seriously. Out of the hundreds of thousands of cards we issue, rarely as it really is a science, but mistakes to happen. We do our best to resolve those issues, but sometimes, as the Program Manager, we don’t even know about them.
I am happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Ryan
Complete nightmare as someone who receives pay through the system. My account has been locked and I can’t get representatives to unlock it and as someone who is now outside the US the card is useless without contactless/chip and pin. Please do not put your employees through this, pay them to their accounts.
Peter Rossmann
As someone being paid via a Cliq card, it has been a nightmare so far, it is not at all convinient, I don’t know at all how much I get charged to do anything with the money on the card and I really would prefer if my company just paid my wage into my bank account and skipped this mess, as that’s where the money is going anyway.
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K
I worked there for 3 years. Absolutely the worst shadiest place to work for. I am surprised they are still in business. They changed nane to Cliq to be less obvious for what they used to do. Their new fraud is to use merchant ACH account and use it as their Ginny pig . When cash flow is low why not…
Raofi
This company is dirty! Everything is shady!
Holley Hoffman
I would be very interested in hearing more about your employment with Cliq. I filed lawsuits against them when they were Cardflex. They defrauded and ruined my clients. I’m helping a client now who has filed in New York (CardFlex changed jurisdiction to avoid suits in Santa Ana) and would appreciate any insight you could give me. Thank you.
Holley Hoffman
I was never a CardFlex employee. I’m an attorney who has sued CardFlex for defrauded merchants, and I’m assisting an attorney who is suing CardFlex in New York on behalf of a client of mine. I would be happy to speak with you, I’m interested in hearing your story. If you want to discuss your case, please call me at (619) 890-8683. I look forward to hearing from you.
Tomasz Wlodyka
The worst bank ever. Horrible customer service. The money was not back at my account, even after the lady from the service told me it will be in a few hours. Never, ever try to open account there.
Lorraine S Booth
Absolutely awful company, would not recommend at all. My daughter worked at a camp in America for the summer, they paid her wages on to a Cliq card, she then had 3 weeks travelling before her return to the UK. Her card was lost/stolen and despite numerous calls/emails to the company verifying who she was, they refused help, they refused to transfer money to another account, they refused any options other than to send a replacement card to the camp that she was no longer at. The staff are rude and arrogant. As parents, we cannot believe they would not help a young female in a vulnerable position in a foreign country. Their service was non existent, their staff are appalling, i fear we now face a long process to retrieve the money still on her card. Avoid this company at all costs!!!
Luisa Spagnoli
I highly recommend the services of this company. They helped us set up our merchant account with ease. The customer support is excellent and the care they give their clients is top notch. The fees are also very reasonable as well.
CPO
Hi Luisa,
Please reply to this comment with your business name and location in order to authenticate your testimonial. Thanks!