Log in

High-risk industries

High-risk payment processing, underwritten in writing.

If Stripe, Square, or PayPal shut you down or will not approve you, you are probably in one of these industries. HL Hunt underwrites each one up front, states reserves and terms before go-live, and never freezes a compliant account without notice.

Create your accountLog in

What high-risk payment processing actually means

A "high-risk" merchant is one that card networks and acquiring banks expect to produce more chargebacks, refunds, or regulatory attention than average. It has little to do with whether your business is legitimate. Credit repair, CBD, nutraceuticals, firearms, vape, travel, telehealth, debt collection, subscriptions with free trials, coaching, and adult businesses all land in the category because of the industry itself, the billing model, or the average ticket size.

Mainstream aggregators like Stripe, Square, and PayPal approve you instantly without underwriting, then rely on algorithms to shut accounts down after the fact. That is why high-risk merchants get frozen funds and 180-day holds with no warning. HL Hunt does the opposite: a human underwriter reviews your business before go-live, your rate, reserve, and settlement schedule are written into your agreement, and a compliant account is never terminated without notice and a cure period.

High-risk payment processing with HL Hunt still includes everything a standard account gets. Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, hosted checkout, recurring billing, instant payouts, chargeback alerts, and AI agents that respond to disputes with evidence automatically. Rolling reserves, when required, are typically 5 to 10 percent for 90 to 180 days and are released on a published schedule, never held indefinitely.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a business high risk for payment processing?

Card networks and acquiring banks classify a merchant as high risk based on expected chargeback rates, regulatory exposure, and billing model. Industries like credit repair, CBD, nutraceuticals, firearms, travel, telehealth, and subscriptions with trials are high risk by category. A history of chargebacks above 1 percent, large average tickets, or a prior MATCH listing can also move a business into the category.

How much does high-risk payment processing cost?

HL Hunt high-risk rates start at 2.99% + $0.30 per transaction, the same published rate as standard accounts. Some verticals carry a modest premium, typically 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points, and some require a rolling reserve. Every rate, reserve, and fee is stated in writing before you process a single payment. There are no monthly minimums, setup fees, or annual contracts.

Can I get a high-risk merchant account if Stripe or PayPal shut me down?

Yes. Being closed by an aggregator does not disqualify you. HL Hunt underwrites your actual business: processing history, chargeback ratio, refund policy, and compliance documentation. Most applications are approved within 2 to 3 business days, and we can usually tell you whether you qualify on the first call.

How long does high-risk merchant account approval take?

Most high-risk accounts are underwritten and live within 2 to 3 business days. Verticals with licensing requirements, such as firearms, telehealth, or debt collection, may take up to a week while we verify licenses. You can build and test against the sandbox immediately while underwriting completes.

What is a rolling reserve and will I need one?

A rolling reserve is a percentage of each settlement, usually 5 to 10 percent, held for a fixed period, usually 90 to 180 days, as a cushion against future chargebacks. Not every high-risk merchant needs one. When a reserve is required, the percentage, hold period, and release schedule are written into your agreement before go-live and reviewed for reduction after 6 months of clean processing.

Does HL Hunt freeze high-risk merchant funds?

No. HL Hunt never freezes or terminates a compliant account without notice. If a chargeback ratio or compliance issue needs attention, you get a written notice, a specific cure period, and a named account manager. That commitment is in your merchant agreement, not just on the website.

Start accepting payments today.

Create your account in minutes. Underwriting is done up front, so you are approved before your first charge.

Create your accountLog in