If your account has been restricted due to a VMSS listing, here's what it means and the steps to get it sorted.

A VMSS listing is a flag placed on your business by Visa - not by Slick and not by Stripe.

It relates to a payment processor you used before Slick, and unfortunately it's something only that processor can remove. Here's everything you need to know.

VMSS stands for Visa Merchant Screening Service. It's a database run by Visa and its acquiring banks.

If your business appears on it, it means a bank has reported your business based on a previous payment processing relationship. In most cases, this happened long before you started taking payments with Slick.

Slick and Stripe do not manage this list and cannot add or remove anyone from it.

Visa requires every payment processor to screen for businesses on the VMSS list.

If your business is added, Stripe has to restrict your account - even if you've been processing happily with us for months or years. The restriction is based on information from a previous processor, not on your history with Slick.

You'll receive an email from Stripe letting you know your account has been restricted. Heads up - the email may not mention "VMSS" at all, and might refer to a general risk or compliance decision instead.

Your account will close after the notice period set out in that email, so it's really important to start resolving this as soon as you can.

Unfortunately not.

Opening a new account to get around a VMSS listing isn't allowed under Visa's rules, and it can lead to further restrictions. The listing itself has to be resolved first.

Only the acquiring bank that placed the listing can remove it. Neither Slick nor Stripe can do this for you.

Here's the recommended route:

VMSS listings usually expire after five years, but the reporting processor can renew them. Working directly with your previous processor is almost always the quickest way to get this sorted.

My account has always been in good standing with Slick. Why now?

Visa updates the VMSS database continuously. A business can be added at any point based on information from a previous processor - a great history with us doesn't stop a listing appearing later down the line.

I think this is a mistake. Can Slick or Stripe appeal it for me?

Unfortunately not. If you believe the listing is wrong, you'll need to raise it directly with the processor that submitted it. Neither Slick nor Stripe can appeal or remove a listing on your behalf.

Can you tell me which processor reported me?

In most cases we don't have visibility of which acquiring bank or processor submitted the listing. Your best starting point is the payment processor you used immediately before moving to Slick.

We completely understand how confusing this feels, especially when your account has always been in good standing with us. VMSS decisions sit entirely outside of our control, and neither Slick nor Stripe can override or remove a listing.

If you have any questions about the process or what to expect, pop us a message on live chat and our customer experts will advise however they can 💜