“Merchant Connections is a collaborative partnership that specializes in processing for online adult merchant accounts,” Merchant Connections President Keith Hill said.
The company will make its presence known at The Phoenix Forum next month, Isabel Robles, Merchant Connections’ director of sales, told XBIZ.
“Merchant Connections is a familiar face to most in the industry so our goal is to continue to meet with people who aren't aware of our offerings along with those who are in the market for a new processor,” Hill said. “We are a specialized service in the industry as far as merchant management is concerned and there is a great need for our services that goes well beyond our current contacts.”
Merchant Connections specializes in electronic payment and risk management services for high-risk merchants.
“We work as underwriters for major banks all over the world,” Robles said. “We cater to adult by placing companies in different regions in which they will benefit the most.
“With Merchant Connections, you’re not going to be piled into one bank. We know people in the industry and are able to place good people with good banks. We’re able to find a home for everyone.”
The company’s services facilitate online and phone payments by providing and maintaining customer accounts that are constantly monitored and tailored to individual customers. Its services also include real-time reporting, Robles said.
“Our services are special because we don’t just setup your account and leave you alone,” Robles said. “We monitor the entire process. We’re management, risk-management, take care of pricing disclosure and verify all information.”
With chargebacks plaguing the online adult industry, Hill said Merchant Connections prevents them by making its customers aware of the transactions before reaching the chargeback stage.
“Many processors expect merchants to deal with fraud issues they encounter on their own, however, merchants who are in the online adult space tend to be mostly ‘marketer’ and have little to no expertise/knowledge when it comes to fraud related issues,” Hill said. “We monitor card transactions in real-time in order to catch affiliate fraud [stolen card/identity, etc.] as it is processed — before it becomes an issue at the bank. We take the time to contact the merchant and work with them in order to avoid any potential dangers on the horizon.”
According to the company’s website, its management has more than 30 years of experience in processing and managing online payments. Their experience also extends into the online adult industry.
“Combined, we have taken on various roles in the adult online processing industry for a total of nine years and take a different approach to payment processing than our competitors,” Hill said. “From our lengthy time in the industry we believe the happy medium is out there as long as it’s managed properly.”
Hill added that Merchant Connections plans to expand its infrastructure to include more banks as well as personnel to assist clients in preventing fraud.
“Since we are knowledgeable in the transaction trends of the industry there is no necessity to expand beyond or outside of the adult market,” Hill said.