Entrust Bankcard Merchant Services Reviews & Complaints
Overview
In this comprehensive review, we delve into the multifaceted operations of Entrust Bankcard, a merchant account provider. Our analysis will cover a range of topics including their rates and fees, contract terms, and the nature of complaints and reviews they have received. We'll also examine Entrust Bankcard's specific offerings, such as payment processing for high-risk businesses, mobile payment solutions, POS systems, and their support for high-risk merchant accounts. We explore their connection with other companies in the Phoenix area and the implications of their continued operation under new management. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of Entrust Bankcard's operations, customer experiences, and how they compare in the competitive world of credit card processing.
About Entrust Bankcard
Entrust Bankcard is a Mesa, Arizona-based merchant account provider that was founded in 2006. The company offers both traditional and high-risk merchant accounts. According to the LinkedIn profile of former Entrust Bankcard CEO Nathan Reis:
“Entrust Bankcard was sold to Aurora Payments, a large payments industry ISO in 2014. Entrust Bankcard was a two time Inc 500 | 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US. Sales operations began to wind down in May of 2012.”
This seems to suggest that the Entrust Bankcard brand was discontinued upon its acquisition by Aurora Payments, but the company's website is active and it has received public complaints within the last few years. Additionally, the company lists Bill Richardson as its current CEO. The change in leadership following its acquisition by Aurora Payments may indicate that it still operates as a DBA of that company. This review will treat the company as an active entity for now, despite some evidence that it has been rebranded and restructured multiple times.
Entrust Bankcard Payment Processing
Entrust Bankcard processes most major credit and debit cards for high-risk businesses. They particularly focus on retail and online businesses. Among their offerings are iProcess mobile processing, swipe-safe chargeback protection, an online payment gateway, a virtual terminal, e-commerce solutions with 24/7 support, MOTO payments, gift card and loyalty programs, and POS solutions.
Mobile Payments
The company offers mobile payment solutions that allow merchants to process payments using smartphones. This feature is designed to make transactions more convenient for both the merchant and the customer.
Point-of-Sale Solutions
Entrust Bankcard provides point-of-sale (POS) solutions that include wireless and online gateway payment services. These are tailored to meet the specific needs of small businesses.
High-Risk Merchant Accounts
The company also supports high-risk merchant accounts, including businesses in industries like credit repair, computer repair service, and telemarketing among others.
Additional Services
Entrust Bankcard offers services like electronic check conversion and online reporting. They also provide ATM/PIN debit card processing and high-risk merchant services.
Location & Ownership
Entrust Bankcard appears to share a large number of current or former employees with Allied Commercial Financial, MobiSquad, and Paradigm Direct, all of which are credit card processors based in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. Nathan Reis was the previous CEO of Entrust Bankcard, and was also listed as the current founder and CEO of a company called blueacorn.co. The website now mentions Bill Richardson as the current CEO. Entrust Bankcard is a registered ISO/MSP of Merrick Bank and of HSBC Bank, N.A., Buffalo, New York. The company is headquartered at 1255 W. Baseline Road, #D288, Mesa, AZ.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Supports high risk merchants | Customer service complaints |
| Offers mobile payment solutions | Unclear hidden fees |
| Provides POS and loyalty programs | High early termination fees |
| Expensive leasing costs | |
| Undisclosed PCI compliance fee | |
| Persistent marketing calls |
Entrust Bankcard Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Total Online Complaints | 50+ |
|---|---|
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | Hidden Fees |
| Recent Lawsuits | No |
Evaluating Entrust Bankcard Reviews
Our analysis has identified over 50 negative reviews of Entrust Bankcard, with allegations frequently labeling the company as a scam or ripoff. These reviews consistently cite issues such as hidden fees, aggressive sales tactics, difficulties in communication post-contract, high equipment lease charges, and unsatisfactory customer service. For a business of Entrust Bankcard’s scale, the volume and consistency of these complaints are concerning. We invite you to share your own experiences with Entrust Bankcard in the comments below.
Legal Challenges Facing Entrust Bankcard
No current class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints have been identified against Entrust Bankcard. Notably, a 2011 lawsuit involved a client dispute over a contract, resulting in a judgment favoring the plaintiff with an award of at least $5000. Those seeking non-litigious resolutions are encouraged to report their grievances to appropriate regulatory authorities.
Insights into Entrust Bankcard Customer Support
Complaint rates for Entrust Bankcard have seen a significant decline since 2013, aligning with the CEO’s statement that sales operations ceased in May 2012. However, some business owners may still be under contract with Entrust, reflecting the company’s history of long-term merchant agreements.
Contact Information for Entrust Bankcard Support
- (866) 855-6732 – Toll-Free General Customer Service
Additional Customer Support Channels
- Online customer support form
Considering the feedback and historical data, Entrust Bankcard’s customer service offerings fall short of the standards set by leading merchant account providers.
This revision aims to present a balanced view of Entrust Bankcard, incorporating details on customer feedback, legal history, and support options. By including SEO-optimized keywords related to “reviews,” “complaints,” and “customer service,” this update seeks to improve visibility and provide valuable insights for potential clients.
Entrust Bankcard Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
| BBB Reports | 0 |
|---|
No BBB Complaints
Entrust Bankcard currently has no rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB accredited, though it previously had an “A+” rating. The company has received 0 complaints in the past three years. It also has not received any informal reviews through the BBB, although it should be noted that these reviews are not subject to verification by the BBB.
An “A” Performance
In light of the company’s complaint total and resolution ratio, we see no reason to adjust the BBB’s former grade. However, we will caution merchants against blindly trusting the grades that the BBB assigns.
Entrust Bankcard Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
|---|---|
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
| Processing Rates | 1.00% - 4.99% |
| Equipment Leasing | Yes |
Three-Year Agreement
As per client feedback, Entrust Bankcard typically offers a three-year contract with an early termination fee of $500. Additionally, clients report encountering tiered pricing structures and committing to long-term equipment leases through MBF Leasing. While monthly and annual fees are mentioned, specific details regarding their names and frequencies remain unspecified.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Services
In addition to its in-store payment solutions, Entrust BankCard advertises virtual terminal and payment gateway services on its website. However, pricing details for these services are not provided. While Entrust BankCard caters to high-risk businesses, it seems these services are exclusively available to domestic clients. Additional fees such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and transaction rates are applicable to these e-commerce services.
Caution Regarding Equipment Leases
One of the most prevalent complaints against Entrust Bankcard concerns its utilization of equipment leases from MBF Leasing. These leases typically span over four years, costing thousands of dollars for equipment that could be purchased for under $500. Many clients express dissatisfaction with undisclosed lease terms and uncommunicated early termination fees.
Consistent Feedback
Despite incomplete information about PCI compliance fees, monthly minimum fees, or statement fees, negative reports about Entrust’s contract terms lead to a “C” rating in this section. It doesn’t appear to be competitive with the cheapest merchant account providers. If you possess specific insights into Entrust Bankcard’s rates and contracts, kindly share them in the comments. We also encourage merchants to explore our list of the best merchant account providers.
View of the advertised rates and fees for Entrust Bankcard.[/caption>
Entrust Bankcard Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
|---|---|
| Telemarketing | Yes |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Outside Sales Team
Entrust Bankcard appears to primarily market its services through a combination of telemarketing and independently contracted sales agents. This practice is commonly linked to elevated complaint rates within the credit card processing industry, and Entrust Bankcard is no exception. We have found over 30 Entrust Bankcard reviews that mention hidden fees, aggressive sales calls, and outright lies from sales representatives. There is also an Entrust Bankcard complaint from a former employee that states that the company’s “sales pitch is a hit it and quit it and there is no relationship building after the contract is signed,” and that “[m]ost of the time, you won’t be able to save merchant any money.” This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
A Clear Pattern
These Entrust Bankcard reviews about the company’s sales team are consistent with complaints that we have seen about Paradigm Direct, MobiSquad, and Allied Commercial Financial. In fact, many Entrust Bankcard reviews also mention these other companies as involved parties. This suggests that the company’s owners and executive leaders employ the same sales tactics across multiple brands. The consistency of the problems and the quantity of public grievances have combined to warrant a “D” rating in this category. If you suspect that you’re being charged undisclosed Entrust Bankcard fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.
Our Entrust Bankcard Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Entrust Bankcard rates as a run-of-the-mill credit card processing provider according to all available information. The company’s agents routinely appear to do a poor job of disclosing its contract terms, which are more expensive than industry averages. Entrust Bankcard may no longer be an active brand, so businesses are advised to diligently research any companies that may be operated by former Entrust Bankcard owners or employees before signing up for service and compare those companies with top-rated payment processors.
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Jay Miller
Entrust is a scam operation. After being aggressively marketed & signed up, it took us a year and a lawsuit to unhook from the outrageously high monthly expenses & equipment lease.