Freedom Card Solutions Review

Rising Complaint Total

We are currently able to locate more than 15 negative Freedom Card Solutions reviews, some of which accuse the company of being a scam. We have not factored Performance Merchant Alliance complaints into this total, but if we did, the company’s total would exceed 60 complaints across all consumer protection websites. Merchant complainants commonly cite undisclosed fees, misrepresented rates, expensive equipment leases, poor customer service, and rude sales agents. The company’s current and former employees describe a poorly managed work environment that trains employees to deceive merchants. The available complaints about Freedom Card Solutions are extremely similar to those filed against Performance Merchant Alliance, and they have been posted with the same level of consistency. We will therefore assign the company the same “D” rating that we assign to Performance Merchant Alliance.

Freedom Card Solutions Services Lawsuits

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Freedom Card Solutions. Dissatisfied merchants who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.

Freedom Card Solutions Customer Service Options

Freedom Card Solutions lists a phone number on its website and also provides a contact form for reaching its “Resolution Center.” These customer service options are also offered by Performance Merchant Alliance, United Card Solutions, National Card Solutions, and Direct Processors, and they appear to share a low success rate when it comes to resolving merchant complaints. We do not consider Freedom Card Solutions a top-rated payment processor for great customer service at this time.

Note: We have adjusted this company’s BBB rating according to our own standards. To better understand why we adjust BBB ratings, please see our Rating Criteria.

Under 5 Complaints

Freedom Card Solutions currently has a “B+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB-accredited. The company has received 4 complaints in the last 36 months. 1 of the complaints was due to a problem with a product or service, 1 was a billing or collections issue, 1 was due to advertising or sales problems, and 1 was an issue with delivery. All 4 complaints were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or received no final response.

What Merchants Say

Freedom Card Solutions has also received 2 informal reviews on its BBB profile. Both reviews are negative. The latest review describes deceptive contract practices:

There sales rep are scam artist, they came to my business they told me no contract, no agreement, no terms just to try to cancel anytime. After using the service for a few months I do not like the service. I tried to cancel the service and there telling me that I have 48 month contract. If I cancel it will be penalty. I finally completed my 48 month terms and I return the Pos equipment 1 yers early and confirmed it. Now there charging me for pos equipment they have no record of return.

Understanding which contract terms to avoid in a merchant agreement can protect against getting locked into bad contracts.

An “F” Performance

The BBB cites the company’s short time in business relative to its complaint total as a primary factor in lowering its rating. Due to the lack of resolved complaints, we have lowered the BBB’s grade to an “F”.

Three-Year Contract

We have obtained a copy of the standard Freedom Card Solutions contract (available below). The contract’s fee schedule lists a swipe rate of 1.99% plus $0.39 and a keyed-in rate of 2.79% plus $0.39. However, merchant reviews reflect being charged an effective rate of 3.1%. This contract is a three-year term that includes an activation fee of $199 and an early termination fee of “an amount equal to all monthly fees due for the remainder of the existing term of the MPA, including all monthly minimum fee commitments, which in no case shall be less than four hundred and ninety-five dollars ($495.00).” The contract also comes with a four-year, non-cancellable equipment lease through Ascentium Capital LLC, a $150 annual PCI compliance fee, a $25 monthly minimum fee, a $13 monthly statement fee, and other assorted fees. These contract terms are just about as expensive as they come in the industry, and we do not recommend them for any merchant.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Freedom Card Solutions also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway through First Data Payeezy. According to its merchant agreement, the company charges a transaction rate of 2.79% plus $0.39, a batch fee of $0.20, but does not charge a monthly gateway fee.

Uncommonly Expensive

We have assigned Freedom Card Solutions an “F” due to its substandard contract terms and the sales issues described in the section above. In support of our rating, we are currently able to locate a number of merchant complaints that mention high rates, undisclosed fees, and expensive equipment lease terms. Merchants who are seeking lower rates will be better served by a budget-friendly merchant account provider. See the Freedom Card Solutions Merchant Agreement. We would encourage merchants to check out our list of the providers of thebest merchant accounts.

A Low-Rated Option for All Businesses

Freedom Card Solutions receives a low overall grade according to our rating criteria. The company appears to be a DBA of Performance Merchant Alliance and does not appear to have altered its sales practices or contract terms in any significant way. For now, Freedom Card Solutions and its related companies rank among the worst merchant account providers in the industry.