Important Billing Disclaimer
(This is not legal advice, for informational purposes only)

You are responsible for understanding and complying with all laws related to marketing and collecting fees for your credit repair services. You must ensure that your marketing practices and fee collection methods adhere to all applicable state and federal laws.

If you are using telemarketing to close credit repair deals over the phone, you must comply with the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR).

Click here to learn more about the TSR | Click here to visit the FTC website for more information

Getting Started With Payment Processing

If you're starting a credit repair business, one of the things you'll need to figure out is how your customers will pay you.

When a customer pays with a credit or debit card, the payment must be processed before the funds can be deposited into your business bank account.

What If You're Just Starting Out?

New businesses sometimes look at general payment platforms such as PayPal, Stripe, Square, or similar services when they are first getting started.

While these services may be easier to sign up for, credit repair may not be supported by the provider or may require additional approval. Payment providers have their own rules about the types of businesses they will process payments for.

If a payment provider determines that your business does not meet its requirements, your ability to process payments may be restricted or discontinued.

Always be accurate about the type of business you operate and check the payment provider's current policies before using its services.

This is why we recommend working toward getting a merchant account with a provider that supports credit repair businesses. It gives the provider an opportunity to review your business through its application and underwriting process before approving your account.

Credit repair may be classified as a high-risk industry by payment processors because of factors such as chargebacks, industry regulations, and recurring billing.

This guide will walk you through what you need and the steps to connect payment processing to Client Dispute Manager.

Important Billing Disclaimer: Before collecting fees from consumers for credit repair services, make sure you understand and comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including applicable requirements under the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Step 1: Understand What You Need

Before applying for payment processing, there are two important terms you should understand.

What Is a Merchant Account?

A merchant account allows your business to accept and process credit and debit card payments.

Your merchant account works with your payment processor to process customer payments and have the funds settled to your business bank account.

Think of the merchant account as the financial side of accepting card payments.

What Is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is the technology that securely sends payment information for processing.

Think of the payment gateway as the bridge between the payment being made and your merchant account.

Client Dispute Manager integrates with Authorize.net as a payment gateway.

How They Work Together

The basic process looks like this:

Customer Makes a Payment → Payment Gateway → Merchant Account/Processor → Business Bank Account

After a payment is successfully processed, the merchant provider handles settlement of the funds to your business bank account according to its funding schedule.

Step 2: Choose a Merchant Account Provider

Because credit repair may be classified as a high-risk industry, look for a merchant account provider that supports credit repair businesses.

Below are merchant account providers you can contact:

Zen Payments

Merchant Services for any Business

Click here to sign up for Zen Payments

They offer a guarantee on the following services:

• Lowest rates in the industry

• No Set-up fees

• High Approval Rate

•  

Merchant X

Payments Made Easy!

Click here to sign up for Merchant X!

A company that uses a unique approach to assure some of the highest approval rates. 

They go through a 4-step process:

1. Get a free quote

Go through discussing your business and they offer a consultative-partnership approach to provide long-term, processing options. 

2. Application

They will work with you from start to finish.

3. Underwriting

They offer a proactive approach to help eliminate back and forth process. 

4. Go Live!

Start processing. 

5 Star Processing 

Making Credit Card Processing Easy 

Click here to sign up for 5 Star Processing

They offer a guarantee on the following services:

• Competitive rates

• No hidden fees

• Robust retail and online payment process

In the industry we are in, we are considered high-risk. Meaning in order to process card payments, you will need a high-risk merchant account.

• Understanding the risk and managing it at the same time can be a headache.

• Looking for a bank that will approve you with a merchant account could also be a hassle.

5 star processing offers to take all that away from you so you can focus on running your business. 

They do have customer service support that will help you understand the process and will break down the benefits they offer. 

Step 3: Apply for a Merchant Account

Once you've selected a provider, submit your merchant account application.

The process generally looks like this:

Choose a Provider → Submit Application → Underwriting Review → Approval → Account Setup

What You May Need

During the application and underwriting process, the merchant provider may request information such as:

• Business information

• Financial or banking information

• Processing history, if applicable

• Business or compliance documentation

• Information about your services and business operations

• Your business website, if applicable

Do You Need a Website?

Having a website is not always mandatory when applying for a merchant account, but many merchant providers may ask for one as part of their application or underwriting process.

A website can help the merchant provider understand your business, the services you offer, and how you present those services to customers.

If you don't have a website yet, don't assume you cannot apply. Contact the merchant provider and ask what they require. Each provider has its own application and underwriting requirements.

Step 4: Ask About Authorize.net

Once your merchant account is approved, ask your merchant account provider if your account can be connected to Authorize.net.

You can simply ask:

“Can my merchant account be connected to Authorize.net?”

Your merchant account provider can let you know whether Authorize.net is available with your account and help you with the next steps.

In some cases, your merchant provider may also help set up the Authorize.net Payment Gateway account for you.

Step 5: Set Up Your Authorize.net Account

Once you have access to Authorize.net, complete the setup of your Authorize.net account.

▶ Watch: How to Set Up Your Authorize.net Account

Follow the training video to make sure your account is properly configured before connecting it to Client Dispute Manager.

Step 6: Connect Authorize.net to Client Dispute Manager

Once your Authorize.net account is ready, you can connect it to Client Dispute Manager.

▶ Watch: How to Connect Authorize.net to Client Dispute Manager

Follow the training video to complete the connection between Authorize.net and Client Dispute Manager.

Step 7: Verify Your Billing Setup

After connecting Authorize.net, review your billing settings and make sure everything is configured correctly before using your payment-processing setup with customers.

If you're having trouble with your:

Merchant account, application, approval, deposits, fees, funding, or processing limits
→ Contact your merchant account provider.

Authorize.net account or gateway
→ Contact Authorize.net or your merchant account provider, depending on who set up your gateway.

Connection between Authorize.net and Client Dispute Manager
→ Contact Client Dispute Manager Support.

Step 8: Explore Payment Options in Client Dispute Manager

Once your payment processing is set up, there are several ways you can accept and manage customer payments inside Client Dispute Manager.

▶ Watch: Ways to Accept Payments in Client Dispute Manager

In this video, you'll get a quick overview of the different payment options available in the software, including:

• Billing Screen – Manage billing and process customer payments from the customer's account.

• Client Auto Sign Up – Allow new customers to enter their payment information as part of the signup process.

• Single Credit Card Authorization – Collect payment information using the Single Credit Card Authorization option.

• Self-Service – Allow customers to complete the signup and payment process through your Self-Service setup.

This video provides a quick overview so you can see the different ways Client Dispute Manager can work with your payment setup.

Step 9: Learn More About Billing Setup

If you want to learn more about setting up and using the billing features inside Client Dispute Manager, visit our detailed billing training.

▶ View the Complete Billing Setup Training

The billing training provides more detailed instructions for configuring your billing settings and using the different billing features available in the software.

Use this training if you need additional help after completing your merchant account and payment gateway setup.

Quick Setup Checklist

If you're new to payment processing, use this checklist to keep track of your setup:

☐ Have a business bank account
☐ Check whether you need a business website for the merchant provider you choose
☐ Choose a merchant account provider that supports your business
☐ Apply for a merchant account
☐ Complete the provider's underwriting requirements
☐ Get approved and complete your merchant account setup
☐ Ask your merchant provider about Authorize.net
☐ Set up and activate your Authorize.net account
☐ Connect Authorize.net to Client Dispute Manager
☐ Verify your billing setup
☐ Explore the different ways to accept payments in Client Dispute Manager
☐ Review the detailed billing training if you need additional help

Once you've completed these steps, you'll have a better understanding of how your merchant account, payment gateway, and Client Dispute Manager billing features work together.