Entrust Bankcard Review

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.

Payment Processing

Entrust Bankcard specializes in processing major credit and debit card payments for high-risk businesses, particularly those in retail and online sectors. Their services include 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

Entrust Bankcard offers mobile payment solutions that enable merchants to process payments using smartphones.

Point-of-Sale Solutions

The company provides point-of-sale (POS) solutions, including wireless and online gateway payment services, tailored to meet the specific needs of small businesses.

High-Risk Merchant Accounts

Entrust Bankcard supports high-risk merchant accounts, serving industries such as credit repair, computer repair services, and telemarketing.

Additional Services

Additional services offered by Entrust Bankcard include electronic check conversion, online reporting, ATM/PIN debit card processing, and various high-risk merchant services.

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.

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.

PaymentPop Rating for Entrust Bankcard Merchant Services

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Entrust Bankcard Merchant Services on the PaymentPop website.

Entrust Bankcard BBB Rating

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.

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 tieredpricing 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>

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.

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.

Entrust Bankcard is categorized as a run-of-the-mill credit card processing provider. The company has not particularly distinguished itself within the industry, primarily due to the way its agents handle the disclosure of contract terms. There are frequent complaints that these terms, which are reportedly more costly than the industry average, are not clearly communicated to potential clients. This lack of transparency can lead to dissatisfaction and unexpected financial burdens for businesses.

There is speculation that Entrust Bankcard may no longer be operational as an active brand. This raises additional concerns for businesses that might consider engaging with new companies possibly run by former owners or employees of Entrust Bankcard. Given this situation, it is crucial for businesses to exercise due diligence in researching any such companies thoroughly before committing to their services. Comparing these companies with top-rated payment processors is also strongly recommended.