National Debit Card Network Review

Founded in 2013, National Debit Card Network is a merchant account provider that provides services to businesses in the U.S. and Canada. National Debit Card Network is a subsidiary of The Federated Group, a network of payment processing companies that includes Federated Payments, Volt Payments, MSI Canada, U.S. Bankcard Center, and Wholesale Merchant Services Canada. Federated was acquired by EVO Payments International in October of 2018, but at this time it is unclear how the acquisition will affect National Debit Card Network. As of this update, the website for Volt Payments does not appear to be active. We speculate the company may no longer be in operation.

Payment Processing

National Debit Card Network handles major debit and credit card payments for a variety of business types. Their services include 24/7 customer support, membership to a small business discount and resource network, gift and loyalty solutions, cash advances, training and setup, secure PCI-compliant POS equipment, EBT certification, mobile solutions through AcceptPro, virtual terminals, extensive online payment solutions, and mail order/telephone order (MOTO) payments.

Mobile Payment Solutions

The company provides mobile payment solutions compatible with devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Android phones, allowing merchants to turn these devices into credit card machines.

Gift Cards and Loyalty Programs

National Debit Card Network offers gift card and loyalty program solutions to help merchants enhance customer engagement and increase profits.

Cash Advance and Check Guarantee Services

Additional services include cash advances and check guarantees, which are designed to improve cash flow and reduce risks for merchants.

Insight into National Debit Card Network Reviews

Our review process has uncovered over 10 negative reviews concerning the National Debit Card Network. These reviews, shared by both customers and former employees, raise serious allegations of scam or ripoff practices. The criticisms primarily highlight unethical sales tactics, exorbitant fees, non-transparent contract terms, inadequate compensation, and a lack of professionalism within the workplace. Customers specifically report encounters with rude and overly aggressive sales approaches, hidden charges, and obstacles when attempting to discontinue service. We invite you to share your experiences with National Debit Card Network in the comments below for a broader perspective.

Evaluating National Debit Card Network’s Customer Support

National Debit Card Network commits to providing round-the-clock phone support throughout the year. Despite a relatively low to moderate volume of overall complaints, the connection of National Debit Card Network with Federated Payments suggests the possibility of systemic issues behind the grievances.

National Debit Card Network BBB Rating

National Debit Card Network currently has no rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not accredited, though it previously held an “A+” rating and was accredited since January 2016. The company has received 0 complaints in the last 3 years. As of a previous update, National Debit Card Network had received 3 total complaints to its BBB profile.

An “A” Performance Overall

Considering National Debit Card Network’s complaint total and efforts toward resolution, we agree with the BBB’s grade of an “A.”

Long-Term Agreement

National Debit Card Network doesn’t provide specific pricing or contract terms on its website. However, a detailed complaint from a former employee sheds light on the company’s fees. According to the complaint, the standard contract entails a 3-5 year agreement with automatic one-year renewal, an early termination fee exceeding $395, variable monthly minimum and annual fees, a PCI compliance fee ranging from $80 to $200, and tiered pricing. The former employee notes that the standard quote sheet often omits several fees.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Apart from its in-store payment processing, National Debit Card Network promotes its virtual terminal and payment gateway services through Safepay on its website. However, pricing details are not disclosed. These services include MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa authentication programs. Additional rates and fees, such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and transaction rates, are typically applicable to these e-commerce services.

Be Wary of Equipment Leases

An employee complaint reveals that the company earns commissions from long-term equipment leases. It’s advisable for businesses to purchase equipment outright whenever feasible rather than leasing it. For more options, business owners can explore our list of top merchant services providers.

Consistency Across Reports

Reported terms of the National Debit Card Network contract align closely with those of Federated Payments. Hence, we assign National Debit Card Network a “C” rating in this section. Currently, the company doesn’t qualify as a budget-friendly credit card processor.

National Debit Card Network offers extensive eCommerce solutions

Our search did not reveal any active class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints against National Debit Card Network. For those preferring resolution outside the courts, engaging with appropriate regulatory authorities is a recommended course of action.

Outside Sales Team

Like Federated Payments, National Debit Card Network appears to employ a combination of telephone appointment setters and independently contracted outside sales agents to market its services. This combination is usually responsible for elevated complaint totals within the credit card industry. National Debit Card Network is no different, as we are currently able to locate more than 10 National Debit Card Network reviews that describe conditions similar to a standard industry “hiring mill.” This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

Employee Complaints

The overwhelming majority of these National Debit Card Network complaints have been posted by former employees of National Debit Card Network and Volt Payments. Here is an excerpt from one such National Debit Card Network complaint:

ATTENTION – Volt Payments, www.voltpayments.com and National Debit Card Network, www.nationaldebitcardnetwork.com is a scam. These two companies are just a new façade for Federated Payment Systems, ran by Jon Levitt and Scott Avery. This is another pathetic attempt to hide from a disgusting reputation.

Federated Payments has 5 other company names on its doors. All in an attempt to defraud merchants and sales people. They will even go so low as to contact businesses who previously had accounts with Federated Payments and try to rekindle relationships under a different name. The tactic is simple: Federated Payments will close a merchant’s account. Either because the merchant gets fed-up with the lies or poor service, or Federated closes the account intentionally. They then charge a cancellation fee, and then pitch the very same merchant, but under a different name. Just look at the websites – all located at 2 Huntington Quad, 3rd Floor.

They do the same thing with sales people. They will send out mass emails to everyone who has ever worked for them, but under a different company name such as Volt Payments or National Debit Card Network and try to fool these sales people into selling for them again.

We can independently confirm that National Debit Card Network and Volt Payments were previously aggressively advertising sales positions on job search websites. These job listings do not mention the companies’ affiliations with each other or with Federated Payments. Similarly, the companies’ websites do not acknowledge that they are tied to one another despite the fact that they are all listed at the same address.

Other Sales Complaints

Other employee complaints mention an unprofessional work environment, poor employee support, bad leads, and delayed payouts. Employee complaints do not reflect positively on any company, and Federated Payments already has a negative reputation when it comes to its sales and marketing tactics. These factors incline us to assign National Debit Card Network a “C” in this section. If you suspect that National Debit Card Network is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.

National Debit Card Network is rated as an average credit card processing provider. The available information suggests that there is little differentiation between the sales practices, pricing strategies, contract terms, and even staff management of National Debit Card Network when compared to similar entities like Federated Payments and Volt Payments. This lack of distinctiveness indicates that the services provided are fairly standard within the industry, without standout features or notable innovations that might elevate the company’s status above average.

Businesses considering National Debit Card Network for their processing needs should take careful measures to ensure they are making the most informed decision. It is advisable to thoroughly compare the contract terms and overall offerings of National Debit Card Network with those of top-rated all-purpose providers in the credit card processing industry.