In the late 2000s, as a broke college student struggling to make ends meet, I was contacted by a merchant services company after uploading my resume to a job listings website. This company promised substantial commissions and ongoing residual income for simply persuading businesses to accept credit card payments. It seemed straightforward enough—after all, what business doesn’t need to process credit card payments? Following a phone interview with a persuasive “sales director,” I found myself embarking on what I believed would be an easy job that would significantly boost my bank account with reliable monthly income and large sales commissions. However, the lessons I learned would profoundly change my life in ways I could never have imagined.
After completing my sales training, I hit the ground running, eager to make sales. This broke college student was determined to improve his financial situation! My first attempt at a cold call, with no prior appointment, ended with a burly man in his 50s yelling at me to leave, claiming he had been “totally robbed” by someone like me before. As I hastily exited, puzzled and intimidated by his reaction, I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant. Throughout the day, I encountered similar hostility from other business owners, all expressing disdain for the industry I had been so excited to join that morning. Confused and curious, I decided to shift my approach from selling to listening.
I quickly uncovered that the merchant services sector was riddled with unethical practices, including hidden fees, deceptive marketing, fine-print traps, and much more. It dawned on me that I had nearly been tricked by a dubious company into selling overpriced services under contracts with long-term commitments, all without being fully aware of what I was promoting. Outraged, I resigned from that company but learned that there were indeed ethical credit card processing companies that treated their clients fairly. Over the next four years, I worked for one such company, assisting hundreds of businesses in securing cost-effective processing solutions. Yet, I also met many more who had been misled and trapped in onerous service agreements. Determined to help people steer clear of these unscrupulous providers, I launched this website in my spare time, dedicating myself to researching and sharing my findings on every merchant account provider I could investigate.
Gradually, more and more business owners began to discover my articles. As word spread, search engines started to rank my content highly, amplifying its reach. My efforts were making a difference! Eventually, the website garnered enough traffic to enable me to leave my job and focus on it full-time, a journey that has now spanned over a decade. This path has not been without its challenges; unscrupulous company owners have tried to intimidate and sue me into silence on several occasions. Yet, I have stood firm against each threat. Here I am, continuing to publish reviews and articles, hoping to safeguard others from the pitfalls of the credit card processing industry.
If you believe in my mission and wish to contribute, please share my articles on your websites and social media. Thank you for visiting!
Bill Smith
Looks like word finally got out on this Scam-o-ramma company.
John
We got hooked into Pipeline/Cynergy through Everest marketing (EMS). Numerous problems, poor customer service, bogus PCI charges ($185.00) and finally a “Risk analysis assessment” triggered by an above average keyed in transaction – brought our account to a halt and required a week of exhausting calls, emails and attachments to resolve. I am trying to switch out of this account but get “this mailbox is full” messages on the account cancellation phone line. What a nightmare – keep away from this company,
Gerald holland
Pipeline data is horrible. After two years of silence and no help they called one day and gave me one hour before they cancelled my account and left me with no credit card processing. They would give me no reason at all. Stay away from this company.
Crios Munnings
We somehow got hooked up with Pipeline a few years ago, and it has been one of the most unprofessional, unethical experiences we have ever had in business.
It started withe the withholding fees. They gave vague explanations saying that they had to withhold a portion of every charge transaction because of risks. Year after year, the costs kept going up. PCI compliance fees, monthly fees, misc ACH charges, etc, etc. It was just out of hand, and decided to migrate our merchant services elsewhere. During all this time, we tried to communicate our concerns via the email address they would use to contact us from time to time, nobody ever answered our concerns. It was as if nobody existed on the other end. And the ‘agent’ or ‘call center’ they used was of no help. Generic responses. We patiently waited for the 6 months to be out and again after repeated emails had gone unreplied, we had to call to get our refund.
I told the agent that during that time, our business had undergone some changes and our bank had closed down, and that we were no longer operating at that business address, and provided a new address. Needless to say, they sent a check to the old address, and this mail got turned around and by the time it reached us, 30 days had passed. The check had bold-faced words on the front stating “void after 30 days”. Well you can imagine. I called several times to explain the situation and nobody had any answers. After all the years and all the withholding funds, we now have a ‘dead’ check that is not even worth the paper it’s printed on. Still trying to figure out what to do next….
kevin boyer
Pipeline Data seems to be a leech company of first data they also use another company called cynergy data to charge pci non compliance fees for services I do not even have they leech money out of my bank account for all these other (leech) partners I am surprised the government doesn’t charge them with fraud
Double HH Ranch Maureen
I have been trying to cancel my account with Pipeline data for a year and a half. I have faxed them numerous times using the form and fax number THEY supplied. They have given the following reasons for not cancelling the account #1 didn’t receive it at all #2 that’s not our fax number #3 Oh year we received it, don’t know what happened #4 need an additional signature – supplied In our opinion the company is UNETHICAL
Note
After finalizing the end of a very difficult last six months of a 3 year contract with Pipeline Data/Cynergy Corp. Relief is an under statement. The first 2 and half years of doing business with them was fine. However, without notice in June 2011, Pipeline Data charged my business account a $189.00 PCI annual fee. I already paid this fee in December of 2011. Speaking with Pipeline Data’s CSR representatives was grueling, most of them were rude and unprofessional. After wasting a large amount of time on the phone, and waiting for Pipeline Data CRS reps to return calls. This, by the way, never happened. I decided I would pay the $350.00 early cancellation fee, (although my contract was up for re newel or cancellation in November 2011). It was at that point, when Pipeline Data decided to reverse the fee. However, the following months my billing statement with Pipeline Data was covered with fee’s. Including a $20.00 per month non-compliant PCI fee, that was to have been handled when they reversed the $189.00 annual PCI fee. Then, the gateway fee was increased by $23.00 without notice or explanation. When calling to resolve these issues, the representatives where unprofessional, combative, indifferent, brash and just plain rude. It was terrible. To date, I have spoken with several of Pipeline Data CSR without success (including “Supervisors”) and paid for uncontracted and unwarranted fees. Whether or not this company has recently changed hands or has repeatedly practiced questionable business I am not sure. What is clear is the havoc and negative impact doing business with Pipeline Data can have on any business. My experience with Pipeline Data’s gross lack of professionalism, couple with many questionable and shady business practices, was the motivating factor behind my writing this review for those seeking merchant services.
Gerald Holland
Pipeline is the worst. I had them for three years without a peep. They called today and gave me one hour notice and cancelled my account. Could not get a reason from anyone other than Harris Bank did not want to offer this kind of business anymore. What a crock. Can you imagine, ONE HOUR NOTICE!!
Kim
For 3 years in a row Pipeline Data attempts to withdraw funds from our business checking account. The charges are for some obscure fees or PCI compliance. We have never had an account with them and in fact, none of the merchant account numbers that we’ve had through the years match the number they give us.
Now they’re telling me to cancel this, I have to send them a copy of the original merchant agreement along with a copy of my drivers license. Right – not going to happen since (1) we’ve NEVER HAD a Merchant Agreement with them and (2) they are NOT getting any personal information from me.
What boggles me is that they continue getting away with this fraudulent activity with no recourse. I’m sending this to the attorney general in our state to request that they please investigate this scam.