Discover Data Review

By Phillip ParkerMarch 29, 2026

CPO was created by business owners to help others avoid unethical and expensive merchant account providers. To support the continued operation of this website we sell advertising to ethical... processors who have earned top marks in pricing, support, and business practices. Some of the recommendations found on this website may be paid placements.

Discover Data Overview

Founded in 2012, Discover Data is a merchant account provider reselling the services of Unified Payments through a multitude of POS solutions. The company advertises Poynt, Clover, Aptito, Aldelo, PAX POS, and HP POS, as its point-of-sale hardware options. Aptito and Aldelo especially cater to merchants in the restaurant industry. Though it utilizes Unified Payments for its backend processing, the company offers merchants interchange-plus pricing. Additionally, the company provides merchants with reporting services, cash advances, and gift card processing solutions.

Location and Ownership

Discover Data is headquartered at 3363 NE 163rd Street Suite 503, North Miami Beach, Florida. The company is a registered agent for Unified Payments that is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, CA. Unified Payments is a registered ISO of Citizens Bank, N. A., Providence, RI, Unified Payments is a registered ISO of Esquire Bank N.A., Garden City, NY. Mikhail Takhalov is the owner of Discover Data.

About The Author

Phillip Parker

CPO Creator & Founder

Since 2009, I have researched over 1,000 merchant services providers and published hundreds of payment education-related articles. This work has received national recognition, and my expertise in payments is regularly sought by large media outlets such as CNN, MSN, and INC Magazine, among dozens of others.

Shortly after graduating from college, I was recruited into a sales role with a credit card processor. Only later did I realize that the so-called "training" centered on selling expensive processing agreements... layered with hidden fees and long-term contracts. In my earliest transactions, I unknowingly steered friends and family into costly arrangements after they trusted my recommendation. When I fully understood the structure of what I had been selling, I resigned immediately and committed myself to exposing those practices. That commitment became the foundation of this website.

As Has Appeared In

About Us

CardPaymentOptions.com

Established 2009

This website was launched in 2009 as a modest blog dedicated to exposing questionable marketing and pricing practices within the credit card processing industry and how they negatively impact small business owners. What began as a side project has since evolved into a widely recognized platform advocating for transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in merchant services.

Our Research Methodology

Pricing & Fees

We analyze all costs including rate structures (interchange-plus, tiered, flat-rate, etc), monthly fees, equipment costs, early termination fees, and hidden charges. This data is gathered from service agreements, statements and client feedback.

Features & Technology

Evaluation of POS systems, e-commerce integrations, mobile capabilities, reporting tools, recurring billing..., and developer resources. When possible, we directly test services and hardware. Otherwise, we rely on client feedback and public information.

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Understanding CVV2 Codes: Protecting Card Payment Transactions

For consumers, safeguarding your CVV2 code is essential in maintaining the security of your financial transactions. It is advisable to never share this code through email or over the phone unless absolutely certain of the legitimacy of the transaction and the recipient. Additionally, you should regularly monitor your bank statements and set up alerts for unusual activities, as these practices help in early detection of any potential unauthorized transactions. Covering the CVV2 code with a sticker or otherwise obscuring it can also prevent physical theft of the information. If you suspect that your CVV2 number has been compromised, contact your issuing bank immediately.

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Merchant Accounts for TMF/MATCH Merchants

Getting added to the Terminated Merchant File (TMF), also known as the MasterCard Alert To Control High-risk Merchants (MATCH) list, can seem like a death sentence for any business. The TMF is a list maintained by the credit card processing industry that keeps track of business and business owners whose merchant accounts were terminated for excessive chargebacks, participation in fraudulent activity, money laundering, or similarly severe account misuse. Generally, placement on the MATCH list prevents merchants from processing credit cards through all major domestic banks until they are either removed from the MATCH list or they find a processor willing to take a risk on them. Luckily, however, there are a few merchant account providers that can enable TMF/MATCH businesses to accept credit cards. These providers specialize in high-risk business types and can help business owners open accounts through offshore banks if necessary.

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Location and Ownership

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