PODCAST · business
The Payments Guy®
by 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 indus
Episodes
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What Every Research Peptide Company Needs to Know About Payments (And How to Get Approved)
You can have a professional website, documented quality control, and products clearly labeled for research use only — and still get declined for a merchant account. In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank Sena explains why research peptide companies face challenges getting approved for payment...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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Merchant Account Approvals: What Underwriters Want in 2025
In this episode, Frank covers how high-risk merchants can speed up merchant account approvals by understanding exactly what underwriters are looking for. He breaks down the key documentation you’ll need, common mistakes that delay approvals, and how to present your business as low-risk from day...
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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…
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High-Risk Payment Processing: Why Stripe, Square & PayPal Don’t Work in 2025
In this episode, Frank covers why Stripe, Square, and PayPal aren’t built for high-risk merchants—and what to do instead. He breaks down how to know if your business is considered high-risk, why popular platforms shut down accounts, and how to get matched with a processor that actually…
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High-Risk Merchant Accounts: Avoid Holds & Terminations in 2025
In this episode, Frank covers how high-risk merchants can avoid account freezes, terminations, and funding holds. He explains what triggers risk teams—like chargebacks, sudden volume spikes, or unapproved business changes—and shares how to stay in good standing with your processor through…
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High-Risk Payment Processing: PCI Compliance Essentials 2025
Did you know that failing to achieve PCI compliance can not only lead to costly fines but also erode customer trust? In this episode, we break down PCI compliance in simple, empowering terms. Discover what PCI compliance is, why it matters, and how you can protect your business from unnecessary...
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High-Risk Merchant Accounts: Understanding Reserve Requirements 2025
Did you know that merchant reserves can significantly impact your cash flow and payment processing experience? In this episode, we dive into the world of reserves—what they are, the different types, and why banks may require them for your merchant account. We also share effective strategies to...
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Merchant Account Fees Explained: Avoid Hidden Costs in 2025
Did you know that navigating the world of merchant fees can be complex, with various charges impacting your bottom line? In this episode, we break down the key fees associated with payment processing, including the merchant discount rate, chargeback fees, and refund fees. We also discuss…
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Stripe, Square & PayPal: Are PayFacs Safe for High-Risk Merchants in 2025?
Did you know that Stripe, Square, and PayPal are popular payment solutions, but they might not be the best fit for every business? In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons of these household names in the finance world. Join us as we discuss whether these platforms are the ideal solution…
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ISOs & Payment Consultants: How to Build Strong Bank Relationships in 2025
Did you know that working with a payment consultant can significantly enhance your ability to navigate bank relationships and maintain your payment processing capabilities? In this episode, join Jason Selby, payments consultant and founder of Runaway Payments, as he discusses how partnering with…
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Chargebacks for High-Risk Merchants: How to Prevent Payment Disputes in 2025
Did you know that too many chargebacks could lead to higher processing fees or even losing your ability to accept payments? In this episode, join Frank as he dives into a challenge that just about every merchant faces at one point or another—chargebacks. You'll learn about the seriousness of...
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Payment Processing Explained: Who’s Behind Every Transaction in 2025
Did you know that every time a customer swipes their card, there are up to six different players working behind the scenes to ensure the payment goes through? In this episode, join Frank as he unpacks the complex world of payment processing by shedding light on who’s really behind your payments....
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Underwriting for High-Risk Merchants: How to Get Approved in 2025
Overwhelmed by the underwriting process as a business owner looking to set up a merchant account? In this episode, join Frank as he does a deep dive into the often misunderstood topic in the world of payments, the underwriting process. He’ll cover what happens during the underwriting process, how...
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Merchant Payment Consultants: Should You Go It Alone in 2025?
Welcome to the first episode of “The Payments Guy”! Kicking things off with some basics, in this episode Frank will be going over the role of a payments broker, the pros and cons of working with one, and when merchants should consider using a broker. If your business is brand new or you went...
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Welcome to The Payments Guy
Welcome to “The Payments Guy” hosted by Frank Cena— your ultimate guide to navigating the convoluted world of payments. In this short introductory episode, you’ll get to know more behind the vision for this podcast. If you’re a business owner, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by payments and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 indus
HOSTED BY
Frank Sena
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Payments Guy® have?
The Payments Guy® currently has 25 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Payments Guy® 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...
How often does The Payments Guy® release new episodes?
The Payments Guy® has 25 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Payments Guy®?
You can listen to The Payments Guy® on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Payments Guy®?
The Payments Guy® is created and hosted by Frank Sena.
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