Unified Payments Reviews & Complaints
Overview
In this article, we take a close look at Unified Payments, a mobile and tablet-based POS system provider and subsidiary of Net Element, Inc. We cover a range of topics including their POS solutions, rates and fees, contract terms, and the advantages and drawbacks of their services. Key focus areas include an exploration of customer and employee feedback, as well as an in-depth examination of controversial allegations against Net Element's CEO, Oleg Firer. Additionally, we discuss the company's marketing strategies, legal challenges, and their overall industry and online ratings. This piece aims to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of Unified Payments, offering valuable insights for merchants and industry professionals.
About Unified Payments
A subsidiary of Net Element, Inc., Unified Payments is a merchant account provider that specializes in mobile and tablet-based point-of-sale systems. Founded in 2010, the company claims to serve “over 1,000 sales agents, referral partners, and value-added resellers nationwide.”
Unified Payments Point of Sale
Unified Payments offers a large number of point-of-sale solutions, primarily focusing on their own proprietary Unified Payments mobile software. For this, they offer a mobile swiper to go along with their software, which is available for both Apple and Android. They also offer a variety of physical POS systems from Aptito, Restoactive, Clover, Aldelo, Verifone, PAX, and Poynt.
Oleg Firer Allegations
There appears to be some controversy over the business dealings of Oleg Firer, the CEO of Net Element. We previously found a website that was created by someone claiming to be a former business associate of Oleg Firer's, but which is no longer operational. The site previously claimed the following: that Oleg Firer acquired Unified Payments' custom POS solution, Aptito, but did not compensate its creator as agreed; that Oleg Firer has artificially manipulated Net Element's stock value through unfunded acquisitions; that Oleg Firer has previously been charged with grand theft in a private real estate deal; and that a Russia-based subsidiary of Net Element called TOT Money has some sort of connection to Russian organized crime. These accusations are severe in nature, and the accuser seems to have posted them on several websites in an attempt to increase their visibility. We do not know whether these allegations are true or false, but we have independently found the following details that may be relevant to these claims:
- There is evidence that Oleg Firer (here) and Vlad Sadovskiy (here) have faced litigation that accuses them or their companies of defaulting on agreed-upon payments
- There is evidence that at least some investors in Net Element are dissatisfied with Oleg Firer's leadership or feel that Oleg is a “scam artist”
- There is evidence that Oleg Firer agreed to purchase Aptito for 125,000 shares of Net Element stock
- There is evidence that Net Element has secured a court order prohibiting Gene Zell, the founder of Aptito, from posting any information about Oleg Firer on any website or contacting the company's business partners and investors
Location & Ownership
Unified Payments is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Walnut Creek, California; Esquire Bank N.A., Garden City, New York; and Synovus Bank, N.A., Columbus, GA. John Perez is listed as CEO and Vlad Sadovskiy is the president of merchant services at Unified Payments, which is headquartered at 3363 NE 163rd Street Suite 606, North Miami Beach, Florida 33160.
Video Summary
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Potential cost savings. | Customer support variability. |
| Streamlined payment processing. | Possible technical integration issues. |
| Enhanced security features. | Fees for services rendered. |
| Multiple payment options. | Potential for system downtime. |
| Integration with various platforms. | Limited customization options. |
| Real-time transaction reporting. | Requires internet connectivity. |
Unified Payments Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Total Online Complaints | <10 |
|---|---|
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | N/A |
Insights into Unified Payments Reviews
Our research has identified a limited number of negative Unified Payments reviews, with only a few directly labeling the company as a scam. The complaints, including those specifically targeting former CEO Oleg Firer, primarily focus on challenges like hard-to-reach customer service, excessive fees, and issues related to Unified Payments’ association with other companies. It’s important to note that while these accusations from an individual with a prior business relationship with Firer highlight potential concerns, they may not reflect the typical merchant experience with Unified Payments.
Legal Background of Unified Payments
In the complex legal landscape surrounding Unified Payments and its affiliates, no current class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints against Unified Payments itself have been found. However, historical legal challenges involving executive team members and subsidiaries, including a notable case involving Albert Takhalov, which was later overturned, shed light on potential concerns. These issues, while not directly impacting merchant services, suggest a need for transparency and ethical conduct within the company’s leadership.
Public Perception and Merchant Experiences with Unified Payments
Other criticisms of Unified Payments highlight nondisclosure of fees, fund-holds, billing disputes, and cancellation difficulties, suggesting some merchants might face unexpected financial transactions or payment delays. Additionally, allegations of unauthentic testimonials raise questions about the reliability of public feedback regarding Unified Payments’ services.
Evaluating Unified Payments Customer Support
Unified Payments provides customer support via phone and email, as indicated on its website. While these options are available, the overall impression of the company’s customer service capabilities has led to a “C” rating in this area, suggesting room for improvement compared to industry-leading merchant account providers.
Contacting Unified Payments for Support
- (877) 621-9110 – Toll-Free Customer Support
Additional Customer Support Options
- Online customer support form
- Email: [email protected]
This updated content provides a balanced overview of Unified Payments, incorporating SEO-optimized terms such as “reviews,” “complaints,” “customer service,” and more to enhance visibility for individuals researching the company. All links have been retained to ensure readers have direct access to further information and resources.
Unified Payments Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
| BBB Rating | 3 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 3 |
| Average Rating | 3 |
BBB Rating Analysis for Unified Payments
Unified Payments, as TOT Payments and Netevia Group, is not BBB accredited and has a “B+” rating and an “A+” rating, respectively. The business opened its TOT Payments BBB file on 3/29/2023. Netevia Group LLC is BBB accredited since 9/29/2017. The business has been operational for 10 years. It has an average customer review rating of 3/5 stars on its Netevia profile and no rating on TOT PAyemnts. The complaints and reviews generally focus on problems with products/services and billing issues.
Negative Feedback
I called to cancel my contract with Netevia in mid-December 2022. I was told that my account would be cancelled. I was charged $249.00 on January 3, 2023, for an annual fee then charged $55.95 on February 2, 2023, for the monthly fee. I made calls and sent emails on multiple dates. At first, I was told that they were “backed up” and could not cancel my account until they were caught up. Then I was told that my account was cancelled on 1/10/2023 and that they would open a ticket for a refund. I was charged again on 2/2/2023 and have not gotten a refund of that monthly fee or the $249 annual fee taken 3 weeks after my initial request to cancel my account. This company has repeatedly stalled, lied, and continued to take money out of my account after confirming my cancellation. – Complaint from February 23, 2023
I just want to warn other companies that this Netevia company is a complete ************* will take your money! They were double charging ** & continuing to take money out even after I cancelled. They cancelled the wrong account also. 6 months ago, I spoke with who apparently is the director of ********** told us we would get a refund after I returned the equipment. I did & now after 11 months of trying to get a refund, we closed the account because they would not deliver. I called every single day for 2 straight months & all the employees just pass me around. I have 4 different “ticket numbers” for my complaints but yet nothing is being done. They have STOLEN thousands of dollars from us. They were not authorized to keep taking money out, I cancelled with 3 different employees. This is how screwed up they are. Also after 11 months, one of the employees tells me that our account isn’t even with the right company, they have many sister companies… This is a HORRIBLE ************ highly warn anyone against using them! – Complaint from June 28, 2023
Positive Feedback
There are no positive reviews published about TOT Payments or Netevia Group on the BBB website.
Source: TOT Payments, LLC on BBB
Source: Netevia Group LLC on BBB
Unified Payments Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Visa/MC/Discover Rate | Interchange + 0.30% |
|---|---|
| American Express Rate | Interchange + 0.50% + $0.10 |
| Virtual Terminal Rate | 2.90% + $0.20 |
| Payment Gateway Fee | Undisclosed |
| Monthly Statement Fee | $2 |
| Monthly Minimum Fee | $25 |
| Early Termination Fee | $750 |
| PCI Non-Compliance Fee | $19.95 Per Month |
| Monthly PCI Compliance Fee | $3.95 |
| Annual PCI Compliance Fee | $300 |
| Equipment Lease Terms | 48 Month (locked) |
Three-Year Contract
According to the standard Unified Payments merchant agreement and the company’s website, Unified Payments typically offers a 3-year contract with automatic renewal for a 1-year term, an early termination fee of $750, an annual PCI compliance fee of up to $300, a monthly minimum fee of $25, a $3.95 monthly compliance fee, a monthly PCI non-compliance fee of $19.95, a monthly statement fee of $2, and a built-in, non-cancellable equipment lease through First Data Global Leasing. The company also charges interchange plus 0.30% on all transactions except American Express, which processes at interchange plus 0.50% plus $0.10.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Unified Payments also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. The company advertises a rate of 2.90% plus $0.20 for online transactions. Additional fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these e-commerce services.
Higher-Than-Average Pricing
Overall, these terms are more expensive than industry averages. A multi-year contract with automatic renewal and a built-in equipment lease is basically an average deal, but the addition of a $750 early termination fee makes the company’s contract unfavorable by our standards. Unified’s per-transaction pricing of interchange plus 0.30% isn’t bad for the industry, but other providers can offer similar pricing without long-term commitments or large recurring fees. There aren’t many merchant complaints that describe dissatisfaction with Unified Payments’ pricing, but the hard numbers have lowered the company’s rating in this category to a “D.” Merchants are more likely to see savings with a top budget merchant account provider. We also encourage merchants to check out our list of the best merchant accounts.
Unified Payments Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Employs Independent Resellers | Yes |
|---|---|
| Advertises Deceptive Rates | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | Yes |
Outside Agents and Resellers
Unified Payments appears to market its services primarily via outside sales agents, independent resellers, and strategic partnerships. It is unclear at this time whether the company’s outside sales agents are independently contracted, W-2, or a mix of both. We have located 2 Unified Payments complaints that accuse the company or one of its resellers of nondisclosure of PCI compliance fees and annual fees, but these complaints appear to be isolated events. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Fake Review Allegations
On January 30, 2018, a Facebook user name Vy Chantharasy posted the following review on the Unified Payments Facebook page:
Company uses fake paid reviews and paid fan likes. Very decieving practices. Scroll down their reviews and you will see all there reviews come on May 5th, 2017 within a couple of hours from foreign countries. Pretty slick…unethical practices. Exposed & Reported.
A Unified Payments representative responded to the commenter:
Hello, we wanted to take this opportunity to clarify. On May 5th 2017, we ran a marketing ad campaign asking people to like our page and provide us a review, which is why that day we got an above average amount of reviews.
And the commenter had the final word:
Right…I run 2 research and marketing firms. Asking for reviews on services they don’t use from you qualifies as a “Fake Review”. You can’t get reviews from people that’s never used your service. Comon’. And half the review are not even in the U.S. We reached out to 50 of reviewers to get the real story…in a specific timeframe…only 2 actually used Unified. Did you want us to post the responses here?
The commenter ultimately did not post their proof in this thread, but the overall conversation does suggest that Unified was caught manufacturing positive reviews. Merchants are therefore cautioned to regard all glowing testimonials about the company with some skepticism.
Public Contract Disclosure
As a point in the company’s favor, Unified Payments makes its merchant agreement available to the public on its website and appears to utilize interchange-plus pricing, which is the most transparent pricing structure available. Unified Payments appears to utilize a sales approach that is typical of the industry, but it performs at an above-average level in terms of disclosure. If you suspect that Unified Payments is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden charges.
Our Unified Payments Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Serious Red Flags
Unified Payments rates as an average merchant services provider according to our rating criteria. There are multiple troubling reports about deceptive and illegal conduct by the leaders of Unified Payments and its subsidiary, Discover Data. Unified’s customer service and contract terms appear to range from average to below-average, but its sales tactics are generally more transparent than most of its competitors. We will continue to monitor the feedback we receive from merchants regarding this company and adjust our rating accordingly. For now, merchants will be better served by dealing with a top-rated overall credit card processor.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
James Smith
Netevia Merchant Processor Is the Worst Merchant Processor they work with Luminous payments and United Payments they will freeze your funds and make your life hell for no reason they are a smaller processor do not use them they are a headache. There risk is worst than any other processor they will not listen to what you have to say no matter how many times I told them.
CHARLES SMITH
I was just contacted by a collection agency for $447.53 for Unified Payments for a processing terminal. I had agreed to change to Unified and then declined. The terminal had already been shipped. The rep told me that I would be contacted with instructions to return the terminal. I never was. The collection agency informed me that I can no longer return the terminal for credit.
Jon Carleton
I’m glad I found this. Thank you for a thorough write up.
Steve Banks
Horrible they said I owed 1000 on a machine I never received. They are crooks and thieves. Dont deal with them . Beware of them
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Alexei Goncharov
More in depth information about the CEO:
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
David Rodriguez
Great rates but terrible customer service, i switch bank account and in the proccess they ask me to provide info to submit and make the change, its been 2 weeks and my money is in hold, i give them extra info plus bank statement to proof that this account is real, today my account is overdraft over 1k cause there is traffic of payments to my vendors and unified payments have not fix or care to get this resolved, this morning i call for a manager, but they transfer me to a voicemail … im very upset with this situation and done with this company.