8/1/2019 Update: Tier 1 Processing's web domain is no longer active. For the purpose of this review, all information is up to date as of May 20, 2019, the time of our last update. Any merchants who have insight as to whether or not the company is still in business are encouraged to leave their feedback in the comment section of this review.
Affiliation with Datalink Bankcard Services
Tier 1 Processing is a Richardson, Texas-based merchant account provider that appears to be a DBA or partner of Datalink Bankcard Services (datalinkonline.net). It is difficult to obtain any firsthand information regarding Tier 1's pricing, services, or location because the company's website is down at this time. In fact, according to The Internet Archive, the company's website might not have been active at any point during its existence. This would normally indicate that a business is no longer in operation, but there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that Tier 1 Processing is in fact an active merchant account provider.
“Slamming” Allegations
We have located dozens of online complaints from the past three years alleging that Tier 1 engages in a process called “slamming.” Complainants claim to receive calls from Tier 1 Processing (which also goes by the name “Main Street Processing” and appears to also go by the names “Challas Group” and “Wholesale Banc“) in which the caller states that the merchant's account has been “flagged” or “red-flagged” for overpaying on processing fees. When pressed about the organization they represent, the caller states that they are with “Visa,” “Visa/MasterCard,” or, simply, “the processor.” The caller then requests information such as the merchant's tax ID number, merchant ID number, and two months of credit card statements in order to “modify” the merchant's rates. Merchants who question the caller's identity or motives claim to experience high-pressure tactics, stalling, and outright deception from the caller. Merchants who consent to the caller's requests eventually receive a contract from Tier 1 Processing/Main Street Processing/Datalink Bankcard Services and are then ushered into the signup process.
Verify Caller Identity
These online complainants allege a systemic effort by the company to attract new merchants by confusing and pressuring them into unwanted contracts. The practice of slamming is questionably legal and can result in the merchant paying thousands of dollars in excessive fees. Merchants should understand that Visa and MasterCard will never contact them for a rate review, and they should be sure to contact their processor directly if they suspect that they've been contacted by an impostor.
Tier 1 Processing Location and Ownership
According to the Better Business Bureau, Tier 1 Processing shares an address with Datalink Bankcard Processing at 3505 Token Dr, Richardson, Texas, 75082. The BBB also states that Steve Odom is the president of Datalink Bankcard Services.
Tier 1 Processing Review Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Tier 1 Processing appears to offer a three-year contract through First Data with a $250 early termination fee.
- Complaints & Service: Tier 1 Processing has received more than 30 public complaints.
- BBB Rating: Tier 1 Processing does not have a rating with the Better Business Bureau and has 0 complaints in the past 3 years.
- Sales & Marketing: Tier 1 Processing appears to hire independent sales agents and has received a relatively high number of complaints about its sales practices.
- Rates & Fees: How Merchants Got The Best Rates With Tier 1 Processing
Anon Indiana
I receive several phone calls each week stating that we over pay fees on our processing statements. They always ask that we send them copies of our statements. If they know we are overpaying, why do they need a copy of the statement? Why do I need to send them my statement for a refund? BECAUSE I WILL NEVER GET A REFUND AND BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT WORKING FOR MY PROCESSING COMPANY. They are trying to get information on my company to have me switch service providers in a scammy way. Come on . . . Not falling for that!
Ms. Wagner
They are still at it. Called my office yesterday, claiming they would refund fees on my credit card statement that we were over charged. I asked several times if she was working with my credit card company and she never answered directly, only that my merchant sends my statements. She then asked for me to fax my credit card statement. Fax number given 877-277-1875. I wrote down they phone number on caller-id 888-315-9629. Called the number back and the man that answered abruptly and said “Yea”, then changed his tone and said “Top Tier”, I asked for Linda at ext. 1419, who I then questioned about our earlier conversation and her working a scam. She abruptly hung up.
Jessica
One of their reps called me and said setting up merchant processing for my CBD business would be very easy and I’d be up and running in 24-48 hours. The sales pitch seemed way to good to be true. Sure enough, it was. They called me 3 days later to let me know it would take more time then called a couple days after that to let me know they could not get my account set up after all. Very disappointing. They over promise and never delivered. I’ve also heard horrible things about them after discussing this mess with my colleagues.
This post will help: Best CBD Merchant Accounts
-Phillip
Michael Miller
Top Tier Payment Solutions is continuing to call our business stating that there are over payment charges on our credit card service providers statement. They ask for 2 months of statements to be sent immediately to them to get our refund. They state that they work for our credit card processor. They are fraudulent. JUST HANG UP!
This post will help: Make The Sales Calls Stop
-Phillip
Tamra Calhoun
Today I randomly received a phone call from a lady named Jennifer stating that she was calling me concerning a refund that my company was owed due to being charged for PCI compliance for the last three months… all I would need to do is fax or email my last three statements to receive the credit. When I asked what company she worked for she responded “corrective compliance division with merchant services”; I replied I understood she worked in merchant services but for what company which she stated her division worked for thousands of companies. Hearing the run around I consented agreement to “do my best” to get that over via email and jotted down her info…
Jennifer @ 1-888-315-9629 x 1417
To send my bank statements to…
[email protected]
When I look up “Top Tier Payment Solutions” the website is under maintenance and of course no BBB listing. I feel this business flat out lies to con small business owners (like myself) to gain clientele for a disreputable company. This should be illegal.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Billie King
Tier 1 calls every few months. They called again today. The first time I fell for the scam to recover over charges on our merchant machine . None where ever recovered.
When I refused to send any more documentation a gentleman called numerous times. I kept hanging up and he kept calling the business line back. The final time he used profanity. No class in this company.
Since then a female, Kiesha I think as she talks so fast, calls constantly and when I hang up she calls back, sometimes as many as 3 times. I have threatened to call law enforcement at this point because of being harassed by the sales people in this company. The owner has asked they do not call us and waste our time any longer and they were also rude to him. Tier 1 needs to stop allowing their people to harass businesses. They immediately get mad when asked to stop calling and continue to call. This time I let them know I would call local law enforcement. Hoping that works…
This post will help: Make the Sales Calls Stop
-Phillip
Jeffrey Handerson
This fraudulent company continues to call my place of business under the guise that we have been overcharged for merchant services for the past 18 months and need to adjust our account. In reality, they are scam artists who wanted to sell us a $500 credit card machine and switch us to their service. They have nothing to do with our current provider. Do not trust them. Pure fraud!!!!!
This post will help: Stop The Sales Calls For Good
-Phillip
Shay
They also go by Top Tier. I received a similar call from a Kerri at 888-315-9629 X 1407. Very high pressure technique and they knew all about the company we go through for our credit card processing. Wonder how they got that info.
William Brown
Thanks for your informative article. I was contacted by them & told I was paying twice the monthly fees I should be paying, that my rate was averaging 2.8% & should be 1.4% per transaction. It sounded really great, but I’m locked in a proprietary gateway. However, there was no mention of switching providers. I didn’t even realize this was another processor until I received an email from them with a contract attachment. What an eye opener your article was as was another article I read basically saying these guys are a scam. They used the Main Street name when they contacted me. Thank you so much. I will stay far away from these guys!
—
Are you with Tier 1? Learn how to resolve this complaint.