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EVO Payments: An In-Depth Look Into User Reviews and Reputation

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EVO Payments International

Rating
D
2/5
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Pros and Cons of EVO Payments International

Pros

Competitive pricing
Diverse payment solution
Customizable and scalable

Cons

Long-term contract
Complex pricing structure
Non-transparent pricing
Additional fees reported
Potential cancellation fees

Overview

In this review of EVO Payments International, we’ll give a clear overview of this payment processor to help business owners better understand if it is the right fit for their needs. We’ll trace the company's growth from a small ISO in 1989 to a major player through acquisitions of its competitors.

We’ll cover EVO’s global payment processing in over 50 countries and their point-of-sale systems. We’ll highlight their strong security measures and integration with various e-commerce platforms. We’ll also evaluate the quality of their customer support and discuss their location, ownership, and the pros and cons of their services.

We’ll address customer reviews, complaints, and legal challenges to give a full view of their reputation. We’ll also analyze EVO’s fee structures, contract terms, and marketing approach. This review aims to give useful insights for businesses considering EVO’s payment processing solutions.

About EVO Payments International

Screen Capture of EVO Payments Homepage
EVO Payments Homepage

EVO Payments International, also known as EVO Merchant Services, is a U.S.-based merchant services provider that serves merchants domestically, in Canada, South and Central America, and in Europe. Reports show that the company was started as a small ISO in 1989 and has grown into one of the larger non-bank merchant account providers in the United States today, evidenced in part by its acquisition of PowerPay in 2012 and its acquisition of Sterling Payment Technologies in 2017.

Other acquisitions include ClearOne, Way2Pay, SF Systems, Delego, Pago Fácil, Encore Group, Intelligent Payments Group, Anderson Zaks,  parts of SF Systems, and even parts of Citigroup. In December 2021 a major partnership came about when EVO acquired a majority interest in the National Bank of Greece’s merchant acquiring business. A further partnership with Lawn Buddy was initialized in 2022, and one with KwickPOS in 2023.

A major announcement came about in 2022, when Global Payments announced they would be buying EVO Payments. As of this writing, this is an ongoing process.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

EVO Payments provides electronic payment processing services, supporting most major debit and credit cards. They offer payment capabilities in over 150 currencies, along with services such as EMV swipers, payment gateways, marketing services, data reporting and analytics, gift and loyalty programs, cash advances, and cross-border payments.

Global Solutions

EVO Payments International serves an international market with payment processing solutions available in over 50 countries, supporting more than 150 currencies.

Point-of-Sale Systems

EVO Payments International offers a range of point-of-sale (POS) systems designed to meet the needs of various businesses. From countertop terminals to mobile and tablet-based solutions, these systems help merchants process transactions efficiently and securely.

Security and Fraud Prevention

EVO Payments International emphasizes security, employing advanced fraud prevention measures to protect merchants and customers. They use leading encryption and tokenization technologies to safeguard sensitive data during transactions and offer sophisticated fraud detection tools.

Integration and Developer Resources

EVO Payments International provides integration options with various e-commerce platforms and shopping carts, facilitating easy incorporation of their payment processing services into existing online stores. They also offer developer resources, such as APIs and SDKs.

Customer Support

EVO Payments International ensures a smooth payment processing experience by offering dedicated customer support through phone, email, and online chat.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Evaluating EVO Payments International Feedback

EVO Payments International has garnered a moderate volume of feedback for a company of its stature within the credit card processing industry. A portion of these reviews label the service as a scam or ripoff, primarily focusing on issues such as unexpected fund holds, sudden large withdrawals from merchants’ accounts, misleading sales practices often tied to equipment leases via resellers, allegations of unethical business practices from former employees and agents, and difficulties encountered when seeking customer support for dispute resolution. We welcome individuals to share their experiences with EVO Payments International in the comments section to provide a comprehensive perspective.

Customer Support Challenges

Complaints highlighting customer service challenges, such as ignored phone calls, misdirected transfers, and uncooperative interactions, have hindered EVO Payments International’s reputation as a customer-centric provider. Notably, a significant number of grievances originate from EVO Canada, suggesting potential regional discrepancies in the company’s service policies and practices.

Support Offerings by EVO Payments International

EVO Payments International extends customer support through telephone and round-the-clock email assistance. Despite these provisions, the company’s service has not been recognized among the foremost merchant account providers for exceptional customer service.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop1
BBB Rating1
Google Maps1
Average Rating1

PaymentPop Rating for EVO Payments International

Negative Feedback

Stay away from this company. Take your business elsewhere. They continue to charge your account an insane amount every month while inactive.Lack of communication and once you do finally cancel, they continue to take the next month payment out of your account. They charge you 300+ for equipment that has not returned when they fail to notify you or send a return shipping label. Company is a Rip- Off. Also Eva Merchant has been in few class action lawsuits as well. Seriously take your business elsewhere.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about EVO Payments International on the PaymentPop website.

EVO Payments International BBB Rating

The Better Business Bureau has several separate reports listed for EVO Payments International, but the correct one appears to be for an office listed in Melville, New York. It shows an “A+” grade with BBB accreditation since September 2017, and it has received 244 complaints in the last 36 months.

What Merchants Say

In addition to the 244 complaints filed with the BBB against EVO Payments International, there have been 52 informal reviews. Of these reviews, only 1 is positive in tone while the remaining were all 1-star reviews. A recent negative review cites charges after cancellation and poor customer service:

This company is FRAUD all day long. I have reached out to them several times. I had an employee on phone for over 30 minutes trying to get forms filed stating that we no longer use them and the could “Never” get them to send to me. They got my emails and money but couldn’t send me anything. I cancelled them years ago, and now they are taking funds through EFT. I have notified my bank and will be trying to figure out how to file a fraud claim on the company as well. I haven’t used this company for over 6+ years. Crooks/Thiefs whatever you call it…

Clients can avoid situations like this by choosing a provider with a history of great customer service.

“C” Level Performance

In light of the company’s complaint total and resolution ratio, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “C.”

Google Maps Rating for EVO Payments International

EVO Payments International has a 1 out of 5 star rating based on 12 user reviews on Google Maps.

Negative Feedback

Exceptionally deceitful company. Started charging our account years after cancelling. Decided to charge more every month although we had not made a single charge through them in years. Called to cancel again and tasked us to provide proof from years ago that we had cancelled. True slugs.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about EVO Payments International on Google Maps.

Processing Rates & Fees

Variable Pricing

EVO’s merchant account fees and contract terms vary based on factors such as business type, processing volume, and the agent/sub-ISO setting up the account. Early termination fees reported by businesses range from $250 to $500, with differences possibly attributed to specific account agreements. EVO typically charges an annual PCI Compliance fee of approximately $120, which is on par with industry standards. For detailed comparisons, business owners are encouraged to explore our list of the top providers of merchant services.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its in-store payment processing, EVO offers virtual terminal and payment gateway services. Pricing for these services is not publicly disclosed. Typically, additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates, apply to these e-commerce services.

Avoid Equipment Leases

Reports from several merchants indicate non-cancellable lease terms for processing equipment sold by EVO agents but managed by third-party leasing companies. Overall, EVO’s contract terms are slightly less competitive than industry averages and may not align well with the offerings of the cheapest merchant accounts.

EVO Payments International services
Virtual terminals are among EVO Payments International’s services

Lawsuits & Legal History

In 2017, EVO Payments International faced multiple class-action lawsuits alleging the company engaged in overbilling practices. While these lawsuits remain unresolved, additional legal actions were identified in 2021, indicating ongoing legal scrutiny. The specifics of these cases are not extensively documented in public records.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Independent Sales Agents

EVO’s primary marketing and sales strategy appears to follow a common pattern used by most large merchant services providers, which is the recruiting and hiring of independent sales agents around the world. The company also allows other sales organizations, such as Nationwide Payment Solutions, to operate as sub-ISOs under their own business names.

Consistent Sales Complaints

Both of these strategies often result in complaints because the sales tactics of the resellers are difficult to control, and the company’s policies often allow for predatory pricing and terms, whether it encourages them or not. It appears from multiple EVO Payments International reviews that the company suffers from the typical negative merchant reports one would expect with this marketing strategy, including high-pressure sales tactics and insufficient fee disclosure. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Misleading Quotes

To its credit, the company does not appear to use any deceptive advertising or rate-quoting tactics in its marketing materials. If you suspect that EVO or one of its subsidiaries is charging you undisclosed fees, however, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.

EVO Payments International Competitors

Compare EVO Payments International to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

EVO Payments International is currently rated as an average credit card processing provider. The company, which has seen a varied performance across its many agents and sub-ISOs, has received complaints about some of its practices, particularly around equipment leasing and inconsistent account terms, contributing to its current rating. We have assessed EVO Payments International according to merchant feedback while considering variations in service quality among its sub-ISO partners. This rating, however, remains flexible and may be adjusted as the company strengthens its policies and reduces the volume of complaints.

For businesses considering EVO Payments International for their merchant services, it is crucial to thoroughly review all contractual documents and fully understand the terms before committing, as contract details may vary widely. Given the existing concerns and the company’s current standing, we recommend that merchants also explore top-rated payment processors. These alternatives may offer more transparent terms and greater consistency, leading to a more satisfactory partnership for their processing needs.

Read Actual User Reviews

All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact EVO Payments International

Contact & Customer Support
CEOJim Kelly
Chairman and FounderRay Sidhom
Headquarters10 Glenlake Parkway, South Tower, Suite 950, Atlanta, GA 30328
Toll-Free Customer Support(888) 888-4009
New Merchant Inquiries(800) 641-0426
New Partnership Inquiries(877) 235-8803
Additional Support ChannelsOnline Contact Form
Websiteevopayments.com