The Payments Guy®

Frank Sena
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to “The Payments Guy®” — your ultimate guide to navigating the convoluted world of payments. Have you ever felt confused when reviewing your merchant account statement, understanding the role of payment gateways and processors, or dealing with customer disputes and chargebacks? You’re not alone! Each episode, we’re here to demystify the complex world of payments, bringing you top insights from industry experts and sharing real life payment horror stories that will help you make better informed decisions around accepting payments for your business. Join in every other Thursday as we tackle the toughest questions and challenges in the payments space. From learning how to minimize the impact of disputes and chargebacks to exploring alternative payment solutions and ancillary services, The Payments Guy offers practical advice and solutions to help you successfully navigate the payments world. Plus, we'll feature interviews with experienced business owners and industry expert who provide valuable tips and tricks for streamlining your payments processes. Whether you're looking to grow your business, avoid getting ripped off by your merchant services provider, or just want to understand the payments ecosystem better, “The Payments Guy®” is your go-to resource. Say goodbye to funding holds and pushy service providers —tune in and let us show you the money!

  1. 6d ago

    Why Some MLM Companies Struggle to Get Approved for Credit Card Processing (And How to Make It Easy)

    If you run an MLM or direct selling company, payment processors classify you as high-risk before you process a single transaction — and most founders don't find out why until their account is frozen or terminated. In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank Sena breaks down exactly how payment processors evaluate MLM and direct selling companies, what underwriters are looking for when they review your application, and what you can do to build a stable, long-term payment processing relationship for your business. You'll learn: • Why MLM and direct selling companies are classified as high-risk by payment processors • The 5 factors underwriters examine before approving your merchant account • Why rapid distributor growth and viral launches create processing risk — even when your business is legitimate • How your autoship program may be generating chargebacks you don't know about • Why income and product claims made by your distributors can put your entire account at risk • How to communicate proactively with your processor before volume spikes or new launches • What rolling reserves are, why they're standard for this category, and why fighting them usually backfires • How to organize documentation that builds underwriter confidence during account reviews • The most common mistakes that end MLM processing relationships early — and how to avoid them • What it looks like to be the kind of merchant a processor doesn't want to let go Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Why MLM & Direct Selling Companies Get Flagged 01:41 What Payment Underwriters Are Actually Evaluating 02:19 Volume, Fulfillment, Distributors, Autoship & Product Claims 05:05 Behaviors That Build Long-Term Processing Stability 06:47 Mistakes That End Processing Relationships Early 08:11 Key Takeaways 08:57 How PayDiverse Can Help NEED A STABLE PAYMENT PROCESSING SOLUTION? PayDiverse specializes in finding payment processing solutions for businesses that mainstream platforms may not serve well. • Website: paydiverse.com • Apply: Apply Now • Call: 1-516-217-1984 • WhatsApp: +1-917-359-4804 ABOUT PAYDIVERSE: 200+ banking partnerships | 20+ years experience | 24-hour approvals Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

    Why Some MLM Companies Struggle to Get Approved for Credit Card Processing (And How to Make It Easy)

  2. Sep 8

    Why Stripe, Square, or PayPal Just Shut Down Your Account

    Your Stripe, Square, or PayPal account can be terminated with little warning — and when it happens, your funds may be held for 90 to 180 days. In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank Sena breaks down why payment aggregators terminate merchant accounts, what happens to your money afterward, and what you can do to protect your business from payment disruptions. You'll learn: • Why Stripe, Square, and PayPal can terminate accounts suddenly • The difference between a payment aggregator and a dedicated merchant account • What triggers automated risk systems and account reviews • Which industries are more likely to face restrictions or termination • Why processors hold your funds after an account termination • What you can do while your funds are being held • How to fight chargebacks and document your fulfillment history • When it makes sense to escalate a fund hold or involve an attorney • Why a dedicated merchant account may be a better long-term solution • How high-risk businesses can build a more stable payment processing setup Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Why Stripe, Square & PayPal Terminate Accounts 01:43 Payment Aggregators vs. Merchant Accounts 03:49 What Triggers Account Terminations 05:49 Why Your Funds Are Being Held 07:08 What To Do After Termination 08:31 Finding a Long-Term Payment Solution 10:03 Key Takeaways 10:55 How PayDiverse Can Help NEED A STABLE PAYMENT PROCESSING SOLUTION? PayDiverse specializes in finding payment processing solutions for businesses that mainstream platforms may not serve well. • Website: paydiverse.com • Apply: Apply Now • Call: 1-516-217-1984 • WhatsApp: +1-917-359-4804 ABOUT PAYDIVERSE: 200+ banking partnerships | 20+ years experience | 24-hour approvals Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

    Why Stripe, Square, or PayPal Just Shut Down Your Account

  3. Aug 17

    Banks Measure Your Risk Before You Ever Know It. Here's What They See

    Banks decide whether your business is "high-risk" before a single human being reads your application — and most owners don't find out until their account is terminated. In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank Sena explains exactly how banks measure risk, what factors land you in that bucket, and how to set up your payments so you stay approved for the long haul. In this video, you'll discover: • What "high-risk" actually means to a bank — it's a prediction, not a judgment • The industries automatically classified as elevated risk from day one (CBD, supplements, MLM, telehealth, and more) • The billing models and business triggers that raise the flag even in ordinary industries • What underwriters are really looking at when they review your application — and how to look cleaner • How reserve requirements work, what a rolling reserve actually costs your cash flow, and how to plan for it • Why high-risk does NOT mean unbankable — and what the right move actually looks like Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:21 What "Risk" Really Means to a Bank 03:40 What Puts You in the High-Risk Bucket 06:34 What Underwriting Is Actually Looking At 09:00 The Real Cost of Being High-Risk (Fees, Reserves & More) 10:25 Key Takeaways 10:58 How PayDiverse Can Help When you understand how banks think, you can build stable, long-term processing that protects your cash flow and your business. If you’re a travel merchant who wants stable payment processing, stronger approval odds, or protection against funding freezes, visit paydiverse.com or email support@paydiverse.com to get in touch with an expert today.  Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

    Banks Measure Your Risk Before You Ever Know It. Here's What They See

  4. Aug 5

    Chargebacks: The One Number That Can Shut You Down

    Your chargeback ratio is the one number that can permanently shut you out of credit card processing — not just with one bank, but across the entire industry. In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank Sena breaks down exactly what chargebacks are, the thresholds Visa and Mastercard enforce right now, and the practical steps you can take today to protect your merchant account. In this video, you'll discover: • The real difference between a refund and a chargeback — and why it costs you far more • The exact chargeback ratio thresholds in effect today (Visa's VAMP is now 1.5% — it's already here) • Why over 45% of chargebacks come from your own customers, not criminals • Proven tools and tactics to reduce disputes — including RDR, 3-D Secure, and chargeback alerts • What the MATCH list is, why it lasts five years, and how to stay off it for good Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 What a Chargeback Actually Is 03:30 Your Chargeback Ratio & the Thresholds 06:30 Friendly Fraud — Most Chargebacks Aren't What You Think 08:30 What You Can Do to Stay Under the Line 11:00 The MATCH List: The Worst-Case Outcome 13:00 Key Takeaways 13:45 How PayDiverse Can Help When you understand how banks think, you can build stable, long-term processing that protects your cash flow and your business. If you’re a travel merchant who wants stable payment processing, stronger approval odds, or protection against funding freezes, visit paydiverse.com or email support@paydiverse.com to get in touch with an expert today.  Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

    Chargebacks: The One Number That Can Shut You Down

  5. 12/05/2025

    Travel Agencies: Your Complete Payment Survival Guide 2025

    Most travel merchants are operating with a financial time bomb they don’t even know is ticking. In this episode of the Payments Guy, Frank breaks down why the travel industry is one of the highest-risk categories in payments, how banks evaluate future-delivery risk, and the practical moves that keep your cash flow safe. If your business depends on collecting money now for future delivery, this is the roadmap for keeping the money flowing and your merchant account stable. In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered: 01:47 - Why travel merchants face more scrutiny 05:32 - The make-or-break details underwriters need to see before they’ll trust you with a merchant account08:24 - The payment structures that keep you funded instead of frozen09:32 - Understanding reserves, and how to negotiate them11:30 - Preventing disputes before they happen14:44 - The steps to take immediately if your account gets frozen or terminatedWhen you understand how banks think, you can build stable, long-term processing that protects your cash flow and your business. If you’re a travel merchant who wants stable payment processing, stronger approval odds, or protection against funding freezes, visit paydiverse.com or email support@paydiverse.com to get in touch with an expert today.  Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

  6. 11/21/2025

    CBD Merchant Accounts: Why 90% Get It Wrong & How to Avoid Shutdowns in 2025

    Most CBD brands don’t lose sales because of bad marketing, they lose them because their payment processor shuts them down without warning. In this episode, Frank exposes the hidden traps that quietly cripple CBD merchants, and reveals the exact steps that keep your business protected. If you’re selling CBD online, this is the playbook that separates brands that scale from brands that get stopped in their tracks. In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered: 01:19 - Why platforms like Stripe, PayPal, and Square seem CBD-friendly at first and the exact moment their risk teams pull the plug, freezing your revenue overnight03:00 - The number one document every CBD product page must have to avoid termination04:34  - Risky phrases that put merchants on the radar for long-term account instability06:19 - What underwriters really look for before they approve you 08:22 - The non-negotiable paperwork stack every CBD merchant needs10:27 - The hidden traps that collapse your ability to process paymentsIf you’re a CBD merchant who wants stable payment processing, backup accounts, or help fixing a shutdown, Frank and the Paydiverse team are ready to support you. Visit paydiverse.com or reach out at support@paydiverse.com to protect your business and keep your payments running smoothly. Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

  7. 11/07/2025

    The Truth About the MATCH List — How to Recover After Your Merchant Account Gets Terminated In 2025

    In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank breaks down one of the most intimidating challenges merchants face: being placed on the MATCH list. You might be wondering: is this a business death sentence? If you’ve ever had your merchant account shut down or been told you’re “high-risk,” this conversation is essential.  In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered: 01:30 - What MATCH stands for and who controls it02:53 - The most common triggers that lead to MATCH list placement08:23 - What it means to be on the MATCH list and the recovery steps to take immediately10:43 - Why the right documentation can dismantle assumptions of fraud, rebuild credibility, and get your ability to process payments back online12:31 - Why being on the list isn’t the end of the worldWith the right strategy, many merchants can rebuild processing stability and secure future payment approvals. Visit paydiverse.com or reach out directly at support@paydiverse.com for guidance on protecting and restoring your ability to process payments. Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

  8. 10/24/2025

    PayPal Account Terminations: High-Risk Merchant Processing Guide 2025

    PayPal is an easy-to-use payment processor, but that convenience comes with a cost. In this episode, Frank covers PayPal account terminations and real payment alternatives for high-risk merchants. As thousands of online businesses lose access to PayPal every month, Frank explains exactly how PayPal’s approval system works, why so many merchants get flagged, and the concrete steps you can take to protect your business from sudden shutdowns and frozen funds. In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered: Why PayPal terminates accounts and how its payment facilitator model exposes merchants to sudden riskCommon industries labeled as “high risk”and the termination triggers that lead to frozen fundsWhat to do and what not to do immediately after terminationThe account switch that will protect your cash flowThe underwriting process explained: how it protects your business and speeds up approvals when done rightProven strategies to keep your account safe and the one golden rule every merchant must follow If your PayPal account has been shut down or you’re in a high-risk industry, don’t wait until it’s too late. Visit paydiverse.com to get matched with a trusted high-risk merchant provider today. Have a question about something in the episode? Send your questions to Info@PayDiverse.com and check out our FAQ page https://paydiverse.com/faq   Connect with PayDiverse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paydiverse Website: http://www.paydiverse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksena

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About

Welcome to “The Payments Guy®” — your ultimate guide to navigating the convoluted world of payments. Have you ever felt confused when reviewing your merchant account statement, understanding the role of payment gateways and processors, or dealing with customer disputes and chargebacks? You’re not alone! Each episode, we’re here to demystify the complex world of payments, bringing you top insights from industry experts and sharing real life payment horror stories that will help you make better informed decisions around accepting payments for your business. Join in every other Thursday as we tackle the toughest questions and challenges in the payments space. From learning how to minimize the impact of disputes and chargebacks to exploring alternative payment solutions and ancillary services, The Payments Guy offers practical advice and solutions to help you successfully navigate the payments world. Plus, we'll feature interviews with experienced business owners and industry expert who provide valuable tips and tricks for streamlining your payments processes. Whether you're looking to grow your business, avoid getting ripped off by your merchant services provider, or just want to understand the payments ecosystem better, “The Payments Guy®” is your go-to resource. Say goodbye to funding holds and pushy service providers —tune in and let us show you the money!

Information

  • Creator
    Frank Sena
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Payments Guy®
  • Show Website
    The Payments Guy®

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