In the late 2000s, as a broke college student struggling to make ends meet, I was contacted by a merchant services company after uploading my resume to a job listings website. This company promised substantial commissions and ongoing residual income for simply persuading businesses to accept credit card payments. It seemed straightforward enough—after all, what business doesn’t need to process credit card payments? Following a phone interview with a persuasive “sales director,” I found myself embarking on what I believed would be an easy job that would significantly boost my bank account with reliable monthly income and large sales commissions. However, the lessons I learned would profoundly change my life in ways I could never have imagined.
After completing my sales training, I hit the ground running, eager to make sales. This broke college student was determined to improve his financial situation! My first attempt at a cold call, with no prior appointment, ended with a burly man in his 50s yelling at me to leave, claiming he had been “totally robbed” by someone like me before. As I hastily exited, puzzled and intimidated by his reaction, I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant. Throughout the day, I encountered similar hostility from other business owners, all expressing disdain for the industry I had been so excited to join that morning. Confused and curious, I decided to shift my approach from selling to listening.
I quickly uncovered that the merchant services sector was riddled with unethical practices, including hidden fees, deceptive marketing, fine-print traps, and much more. It dawned on me that I had nearly been tricked by a dubious company into selling overpriced services under contracts with long-term commitments, all without being fully aware of what I was promoting. Outraged, I resigned from that company but learned that there were indeed ethical credit card processing companies that treated their clients fairly. Over the next four years, I worked for one such company, assisting hundreds of businesses in securing cost-effective processing solutions. Yet, I also met many more who had been misled and trapped in onerous service agreements. Determined to help people steer clear of these unscrupulous providers, I launched this website in my spare time, dedicating myself to researching and sharing my findings on every merchant account provider I could investigate.
Gradually, more and more business owners began to discover my articles. As word spread, search engines started to rank my content highly, amplifying its reach. My efforts were making a difference! Eventually, the website garnered enough traffic to enable me to leave my job and focus on it full-time, a journey that has now spanned over a decade. This path has not been without its challenges; unscrupulous company owners have tried to intimidate and sue me into silence on several occasions. Yet, I have stood firm against each threat. Here I am, continuing to publish reviews and articles, hoping to safeguard others from the pitfalls of the credit card processing industry.
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Matthew
Thieves. I believe they are finally out of business. Website is DOA.
Run. Fast.
Jonathan Parks
Thieves. Do not do business with them. Contracts are evil. Just say no.
Graham Barrett-Lennard
I received an electronic withdrawal from Frontline on my Bank Statement 10 November 2020.
I have not requested a payment to a website called Nataly since 06November 2020.
Since Frontline has my Debit card details and does not issue any kind of receipt of payment, there is nothing to stop them withdrawing money from any account whenever they think fit.
I made no order for credits to Nataly this week and for this withdrawal there are no credits with Nataly listed.
Chance Claxton
This company has literally been stealing money straight from my bank account. I canceled services with them 3 months ago, but they continue to charge me anyway. Every month they charge me I remind them that I canceled several months prior, and I don’t even have a website anymore. They have told me every time I bring it up that they have canceled my services and it won’t happen again, but the first of the month comes around and they charge me again. They are unresponsive in my attempts to contact them about this, they have no answers when you ask them what they are going to do to fix the issue. When I first signed up with them they told me I would be charged a MUCH lower amount monthly than it turned out to be. And they have hidden fees they don’t discuss with you upfront. I HIGHLY suggest using any one of their competitors as these people care way more about stealing your money than satisfying their customers. I wish I could give them a lower rating, and I will absolutely be reporting them to the Better Business Bureau for fraud. I wouldn’t suggest this company to my most bitter of enemies
Ron Dolay
This company is atrocious, have a friend who processed through them for less than a year and they are suing him after he had to close his business( after 8 months) for 5 years of fees. He currently works at a restaurant to try and support his wife and three kids and has no use for a merchant account. They have no heart whatsoever !
Loree Morgan
We have been very happy with Frontline Processing for 4 years now; our representative Mike Peterson has been wonderful – always on top of every request and follows through to make sure concerns have been addressed. I was very picky because had two nightmare processor stories before going with FP. I look over the statements very carefully and have called the office with questions; they’re always courteous and quick to look into and answer my questions. Love using a Montana company!
Chris Kittler
At no time in the history of Frontline Processing has any four people been fired at one time, let alone from the risk department. I do own a ranch, and you may visit our website at https://www.sweetgrassbuffalo.com for more information. Sweet Grass Buffalo raises and sells grass-fed, free range bison meat. Our bison meat tastes great and is lower in fat than chicken or fish. No animals are ever mistreated on our ranch and anyone doing so are let go. I personally have donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Humane Society, and I wouldn’t tolerate anyone that I saw harming any animal in any way.
I have been happily married to the same person for 20 years, and we have three children: one graduated from George Washington University, one is attending George Washington University and the other is attending the International School. I do not have a DUI; however, I was cited for reckless driving when I was pulled over for excessive speed on an entrance ramp with my 900 horsepower Shelby Cobra. I am self-made, as I left home at the age of 18 with very little money to speak of.
PCI is important, but I have never killed anyone over it. Our collections policies run in accordance with the collection laws. To my knowledge, Frontline has never had an infraction. We do have a three-year contract, and our contract completion fee is $50.00. We do have a hardship policy that allows clients out of their contract in case of bankruptcy, sickness or some other hardship. There are clients with large fees due at the end of their contracts, and the far majority is for unfulfilled sales and other trailing activity, which have to do with internet clients and not brick and mortar retail businesses. We see our clients as people and make every effort to meet them more than half way. It is encouraging that this person did inform clients to read the merchant agreement, as we do stress this to all of our valued staff. We do place merchants on reserve from time to time, as do all card processors to protect the cardholders. This is a requirement by the industry.
Frontline has been in operation for 18 years. We have two offices: one in Bozeman, Montana and the other in Henderson, Nevada. We are proud of both of them. Frontline has doubled in size over the last two years, and we are proud members of the many charities doing good work all over the globe. We carry an A+ rating from the BBB, a Five Star rating from Merchant Maverick report and have a B+ rating on this site as well. We do hope to improve this to an A+.
I have no criminal record whatsoever. One would have to question if this anonymous person, with all the inaccurate information, even has the right company?
EILEEN
I am so impressed with Frontline Processing, it is refreshing to actually be able to talk to a real person that speaks English and without a bunch of nonsense. The few times I have had to call in I get professional and competent help.
I have people call all the time wanting me to change my processor, I tell them that there is no way I would give up Frontline. Frontline is located in Bozeman MT which is right out my back door. Love the idea of keeping jobs in the USA. Good Job people!!
Phillip CPO
Hi Eileen,
In order to authenticate your testimonial, please reply to this comment with you business name and location.
EILEEN Sain
A BAR S PROCESSING
SCOBEY, MT 59263
John Wellington
Read your contract. Especially section 13 regarding cancellation. Most credit card companies have a small or no cancellation policies, this company holds you to 3 YEAR contract and will charge you thousands of dollars to get out of it. There are so many others that have no cancellation policies, why would you ever sign up with them.