What triggers this status
Aggregator freezes happen when automated fraud detection flags your account — usually a chargeback spike, an unusual volume pattern, a complaint, or a category-violation discovery. The aggregator then holds 100% of current and future funds (often called a "rolling reserve") for 90–180 days, sometimes 12 months.
The underlying issue: aggregators don't underwrite individual merchants the way a real acquirer does. When fraud detection flags you, they protect themselves first and sort it out later. There is no negotiation lever and no real human to call.
What underwriters look at
Chargeback-triggered freezes price differently than category-violation freezes on the new MID.
Most aggregators release 90–180 days post-freeze. We help you document the timeline.
Some freezes accompany MATCH listing; we check before placing the new MID.
How long can you survive without the frozen funds? Drives urgency of new-MID approval.
What we need to rebuild your file
- Hold / freeze notice from prior processor
- Last 3 months bank statements
- Last 3 months processing reports (export before further restriction)
- Email correspondence with the prior processor
- Refund / chargeback reports if applicable
- Merchant application + voided check + government ID
Path back to approval
The path is two-track: (1) new MID at a specialist acquirer in 24–72 hours to restart cash flow, and (2) documented escalation with the prior aggregator to push for early reserve release.
The hard truth on track 2: Stripe and PayPal rarely release early. Escalation through formal complaint channels (BBB, state AG, CFPB for the more egregious holds) sometimes accelerates but rarely cuts the 180-day clock in half. Plan for the full hold period; treat any earlier release as a bonus.
New-MID pricing typically lands at 3.45% – 4.95% + $0.25 with reserve sized to your actual risk, not punitively.
Approval timeline
- 1Same-day pre-qualification
We review the freeze notice and confirm fit for new-MID placement.
- 2New MID live (24–72 hours)
Processing restarts on a new MID before the prior hold is resolved.
- 3Prior-processor escalation (30–60 days)
Formal documentation push for early reserve release. Success rate ~20–30%.
- 4Full hold release (90–180 days)
Standard aggregator timeline. Some merchants see 9–12 months on the worst categories.