Complain About Authorize.net - learn how to file a complaint

When your business funds are on the line, you need to know who to contact. Getting a human can be a challenge, but here are the official channels. Be prepared to state your case clearly and have your Merchant ID ready.

Good luck getting a quick answer. Here's what they claim, but based on user complaints, you should plan on waiting.

• Call first thing in the morning (Pacific Time) to avoid the longest queues.
• Have your Merchant ID, case numbers, and specific transaction details ready before you call.
• Clearly state the financial impact on your business. Use phrases like "This is preventing me from accepting payments."
• Don't hang up without a case number or a reference number for your conversation.

If Authorize.net support is giving you the silent treatment or refusing to resolve your issue, it's time to escalate. Don't just give up.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Filing a complaint with the BBB makes your issue public. Authorize.net's parent company, Visa, tends to respond to these complaints formally. It's a good public shaming tool, but it's not a court, so a resolution isn't guaranteed. Prepare to wait, as it can take a few weeks.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

This is your strongest move. Since Authorize.net provides financial services, they fall under the CFPB's jurisdiction. The CFPB will formally forward your complaint to the company, and Authorize.net is required to provide a timely, substantive response. Honestly, filing with the CFPB seems to get their attention much faster than the BBB, based on what others have said online.

Your State Attorney General

For issues related to unfair or deceptive business practices, you can file a complaint with your state's Attorney General. This is a serious step but can be effective if the company's actions violate state laws.

Subject: Urgent: Formal Complaint Regarding Account [[Your Merchant ID]] - Unresolved Account Hold

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing again after my previous attempts on [[Date(s)]] to resolve a critical issue with my account, [[Your Merchant ID]]. My problem remains completely unresolved.

On [[Date]], my account was unexpectedly placed on hold, freezing [[$Amount]] in funds and preventing my business from processing any new transactions. This action was taken without any clear warning or explanation. Frankly, the disruption to my business operations has been significant, and the lack of communication from your support team is unacceptable.

To resolve this, I require the immediate release of my funds and a clear, detailed explanation for the account hold. I also need written confirmation that the issue has been fully resolved and my account is back in good standing.

Please be aware that if I do not receive a substantive response and a resolution within 48 hours, my next step will be to file formal complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious matter.

[[Your Name]]

• Always Get a Case Number. The second you connect with support, ask for a ticket or case number. If they don't give you one, the conversation might as well have never happened. No number, no proof.
• Use Social Media as a Public Nudge. If you're being ignored, a public post on X (formerly Twitter) tagging @AuthorizeNet can sometimes get a faster response from a social media team trying to avoid bad press.
• Document Everything. A BBB complaint I read mentioned the user won their dispute because they had a perfect timeline. Screenshot error messages, save every email, and write down the date, time, and name of every single person you speak to.

Tired of being told your funds are on hold for 'a routine security review' with no end in sight? Sound familiar? It's a common story on their BBB page and Trustpilot reviews. You've got a business to run, and you can't spend hours on hold or writing emails that disappear into a black hole. No joke. Pine AI handles the persistent follow-ups for you. We keep the pressure on so you don't have to. Let us take over the headache of chasing down a real answer and getting your money released.