The Payments Guy®

Frank Sena

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. 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

    18 min
  2. 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

    15 min
  3. 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

    21 min
  4. 07/04/2025

    VAMP 101: Visa’s New Fraud Rules—Explained in 10 Minutes

    In this episode, Frank covers Visa’s new VAMP fraud rules and what they mean for high-risk merchants. He explains how chargebacks and TC40 fraud reports now combine into a single fraud ratio—and why exceeding 0.9% could get your account shut down. With acquiring banks under stricter pressure, over 250,000 merchants are expected to be terminated by year-end. Frank shares what merchants must do to stay compliant, plus how tools like PayDiverse’s VAMP Monitoring can help. In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered: 01:20 – What the VAMP program is and why it replaces two previous Visa monitoring systems.02:17 – The role of TC40 fraud reports and why they now matter just as much as chargebacks.06:33 – How to calculate your fraud ratio and what the new thresholds mean for businesses.07:22 – The types of merchants most at risk. 08:50 - The steps merchants should take to prepare for the new VAMP guidelines and how PayDiverse’s VAMP Monitoring Tool helps merchants stay compliant and avoid penalties.Don’t wait until Visa flags or fines your account. Start monitoring your fraud metrics now. To learn more about VAMP compliance or to get visibility into TC40 reports, visit the PayDiverse website or connect with Frank Cena for personalized support. 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

    11 min
  5. 06/20/2025

    Payment Declines: Fixing Failed Transactions for High-Risk Merchants 2025

    In this episode, Frank covers why high-risk merchants experience unnecessary payment declines—and what you can do to fix it. He breaks down the invisible tech behind transaction approvals, from 3D Secure and BIN reputation to smart routing and network tokens. If you're losing sales to unexplained declines, this episode shows how to recover revenue and improve approval rates fast. In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered: 01:43 – The real reasons legitimate payments are getting blocked and what banks view as “suspicious”04:17 – The surprising downside of 3D Secure at checkout05:29 – What’s a BIN, and why does its reputation affect your bottom line?10:41 – How to use smart routing and networks tokens to improve your approval rate overnight and protect recurring revenue14:10 – Why Stripe, Square, and PayPal aren’t built for high-risk businesses, and what you should use instead if your business is considered to be high-riskDon’t let invisible tech hurdles stop your next sale. With the right moves and consultant, you can dodge declines, recover lost revenue, and build better processing flows. Want expert help diagnosing and fixing your transaction issues? Head to paydiverse.com and send the team a message. It’s time to get your payments back on track.  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

    18 min
  6. 04/18/2025

    Payment Processing Terms Explained for Business Owners 2025

    In this episode, Frank covers the essential payment processing terms high-risk merchants need to understand to avoid hidden fees, bad pricing models, and costly mistakes. From interchange rates to chargebacks, PCI compliance to flat-rate pricing, Frank simplifies the jargon so you can make smarter decisions, reduce your costs, and protect your business. In this episode, these questions and topics will be covered: 01:30 – What a merchant account and payment gateway actually are, and why understanding the difference matters for smooth payment processing.04:00 – How fees like interchange, discount rates, and reserves work, and how to avoid getting overcharged.07:17– What chargebacks really mean, how to calculate your chargeback ratio, and why banks take it so seriously.11:45– How PCI compliance and fraud monitoring protect your business—and the preventable fees they help you avoid.13:57 – The truth about flat rate, interchange-plus, and tiered pricing—and how to choose the right model for your business.Understanding your payment processing terms isn't just good business, it's essential. If you need help decoding your fees, ensuring PCI compliance, or negotiating better terms, Frank and his team are here to help. If you learnt something from this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review—this will help more business owners stop overpaying and start thriving. 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

    20 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

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!