Update: At the time of this update to our review of Security Card Services, the company's website is no longer functioning. We believe the company is no longer in business and will no longer be updating this review.
Company Overview
Founded in 1996, Security Card Services is a merchant account provider that takes a unique approach to marketing its services. Rather than selling directly to business owners, the company builds partnerships with regional and community banks across the country in order to supply merchant services for those banks' customers. As a result, it is unlikely that any merchant will deal directly with Security Card Services (SCS) unless that merchant signs up for merchant services through a local bank partnered with SCS. A merchant who signs up for an SCS account through his or her bank may deal with bank representatives, SCS representatives, or both, depending on the type of partnership established between SCS and the bank.
First Data CFI
BluePay acquired Security Card Services in August 2017, shortly before BluePay and its subsidiaries were acquired by First Data in December 2017. The acquiring partner portfolios of Security Card Services, BluePay, and CardConnect, were consolidated to form First Data Community Financial Institutions (First Data CFI). As a newly created division of First Data, First Data CFI specifically partners with community financial institutions to give customers streamlined payment solutions. It has yet to be seen if Security Card Services will retire its independent brand identity and eventually operate under the First Data CFI heading. An alert on its website notifies customers that Security Card Services “is now First Data CFI,” but it appears to be retaining its unique identity for the time being.
FTC Settlement
Security Card Services shares an address with a debt settlement company called “Security Credit Services” and is one of three businesses managed under the “Security Holdings LLC” brand. In 2014, Security Credit Services was forced to pay out more than $761,000 to consumers to compensate for phone payment fees that the FTC found to be deceptive. Two former executives of Security Card Services are also now the co-founders of Ironwood Payments.
Location & Ownership
SCS is headquartered at 2653 West Oxford Loop, Suite 108, Oxford, Mississippi 38655. William Alias is the principal for Security Holdings and, by extension, Security Card Services.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Offers variable auto-renewing contract terms depending on…
- Complaints & Service: Has received fewer than 10 on…
- BBB Rating: Has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received…
- Sales & Marketing: Does not appear to market directly to merchants and has received only…
Marnie L
I get up to 19 calls per day from this company. I got a call I answered while working, and explained I could not talk I was working. He asked me what I was doing, I responded that I was driving. He continued to talk, I was using maps to drive to my destination and since I already explained this to him and he would not stop trying to get me to buy into his scam I hung up the phone. Again, I was working and explained this to him.
He then called back, but I did not answer as I was still using my maps to locate the address I was driving toward. I later checked my voicemail and to the most rude and scary message of my life.
He read number for number to me my social security number, which was terrifying as no one has the right to have this without my consent and then proceeded to to tell me he was freezing my social security number and black marking me and that I could try to call my bank to verify he has done this. He was angry and aggressive with me and told me this is my consequences for hanging up on him.
I have since filed complaints with the BBB and contacted social security as well as my attorney. These people need to be stopped. I simply was not interested in their business and he got very angry and aggressive and then threatened me. I will never do business with them. I would rather pay on my credit card for the rest of my life than ever give this company my business. It was the worst experience I have ever had with a company.
I am glad he (David) left me a voicemail that I have locked in my phone so that I was able to report his abuse. If they call you, make sure you save your voicemails from them,
Linda Roberts
Dont answer the phone or hang up immediately. They get verbally abusive if you accuse them of fraud. I hope they will not hack my information.
Linda Roberts
This company called me numberous times and today I forgot and answered. He knew I had a Visa with a high balance and could make sure my )% promotional rate would be extended till the end of the loan. He wanted information and when I would not give it to him and accused him of fraud he became angry and verbally abusive. He would charge me 5000.00 for his time and my Chase credit cards would be frozen, etc. I hung up. This is a total scam and do not give them any information.
Takeme Offyourlist
These people Call me 10x per week and there is no way to get off of their call list… Yes, I am on the do not call list. No, I will not leave my name and number- but do plan to send a certified letter requesting my reimbursement for not complying with the do not call list!!! Have a nice day…
Patricia A Beno
Phone scam : they ask for information in steps so as to not alert the respondent. They will set up a credit card and transfer your balance to it. the balance transfer is done without asking. Now the original card must be cancelled to protect it form the misuse.
They constantly verify they are not after your money.
The original call comes from Texas 979-984-0273. So when it is transferred to them at 18008478098, they can say you called them! Richard Stone Sr Account rep says all is done already, when you do not want a transfer or new card.
Richard Roop
These fools call me 3 to 5 times a week even though I’m on the ‘Do Not Call’ list and repeatedly request to be removed from their calling list.
Low-rent tele-marketer spammers.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Madeline
I received a phone call today from this company making promises and stating that they can offer me a guaranteed 0% interest if I transfer my current credit card balance to theirs. I spoke with a “Chester Robins” and then was transferred to his manager “Chester Robinson”. I hung up and asked them not to do any business. Of course this was after they already had my info so I may already be scammed. I can’t believe I was going through with it. What raised a flag to me was when I asked for a phone number and they wouldn’t give it to me instead transferred the call to a “manager”. I also asked them not to run my credit and that I wanted the terms and conditions in writing before I agree to anything. I don’t have anything to report them to BBB as the BBB requires a business address. I’m angry that this company is scamming people and I may have fallen victim to them.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
DJ
This company is a scam they tell you they are not a third party company that they are card member services visa MasterCard and they get you to give them your credit card information with claims you will get 0% interest on all your cards . They then transfer you to another rep that tells you rate might be 1.9 or 3 then they wanted me to close out my cards and transfer to another card at o% , when I said I couldn’t do that they said I could just keep my cards but not use them until they are paid off but I would have to give them a fee of 3900. Total deceptive practice and miss representing them selves on the phone . I’m very upset that they are allowed to continue with this misleading and false representations .
Kayela
This company is a SCAM! Told us we would be paying $20 set fee per month and a % per purchase. Somehow that fee made it to $60 and over on top of the % increasing higher and higher on a theee year agreement. Since this company did not hold their end of the bargain we should be able to cancel with no penalty. However they want charge almost $400 to cancel. Customer support is a joke and treat you like you are stupid. Great way to take advantage of a small Veteran owned Business. Absolutely appalling! They don’t deserve one star if I didnt have to give one I wouldn’t. Stay far away and don’t ever enter an agreement with this company.
Howard
This company has been calling me with an automated recording saying that they had tried to contact me and this is the last time. If I want to lower my interest rate press 1, or if I want the offer to expire immediately press 2. I usually press 2 but still get an agent asking for personal information (card numbers, expiration dates, zip code, etc.) When I ask how I can be removed from their calling list, I was told that I can not be removed from their calling list, ever. They claim to be connected with Expedia and know everything about my credit history. I have led them on and they do not know much more than my name, address, and phone number. They do ask for the last four of my credit card number (for security reasons). I would like to know how to get off their calling list, as the calls are now up to 4 x week.
Mary
This company promises to lower your credit card interest rates for a service contract fee of $1500 which will be added to your credit card when you sign up but they won’t tell how much lower your interest rate will be until you sign up with them and after you agree to pay them $1500. They cannot provide a written contract so you’re not able to review the terms of the agreement and therefore you would be signing up verbally on a recorded line. Please beware as they will start the conversation by informing you that you’re being recorded and then ask you for your credit cards numbers and expiration dates of every card you are looking to lower your rates on. The thing is they will not give any details until they have your credit cards numbers and will also ask you for the billing address of your cards. Please beware that once you give them all the details they WILL have everything they need to charge you $1500.00 with you simple stating yes, I want lower rate. So technically they can charge the service fee and only lower it by half of 1%. Right. Don’t give them your number, much less your billing zip code. They cannot charge you without the correct zip codes although they will pressure you for it and make a tons of reasons why they need it… it’s a SCAM and at the slightest indication that you’re willing to move forward they can keep charging you every year and you wouldn’t be able to cancel their fee because all they need is your verbal agreement on the phone. Be aware they are professional con artists
Tyler Brooks
This is a 3rd party company or middle-man business that opens your account and will never let you close it. All the while they charge you excessive fees. I would caution anyone to think twice before doing business with them.
Gene Merideth
These guys are a scam. They use the hidden “evergreen” Auto-Renewal trick to keep your account going despite your attempts to close it.
We told them repeatedly over a 2 year period to cancel our contract but now they claim to have either never gotten these notices, or that they have lost them – depends who you talk to. Complete scammers and one of the companies to avoid!