Momentum Payment Systems Withholding Funds Internet

We switched to this company after they contacted us and advised that they were significantly less expensive than the company we were using.  We decided to switch to their services.  Shortly after we signed up with them, we had a couple come in and put some furniture in layaway.  For the next several weeks, they would come in and pay on their layaway with the credit card.  Unfortunately, the couple broke up, and the girlfriend called the credit card company and stated the charges were fradulent.  Momentum requested all documentation which we gladly provided proving the card was swiped.  The total amount was $600.00.  Since we were a new customer, they froze our account and have held $8,300.00 since May for $600.00 in charges!  No other chargebacks have been reported.  80% of our business is credit card purchases.  We processed over $23,000 in credit card transactions and $600.00 in chargebacks is less than 3% of our total.  We are dumbfounded that this company would withhold such a large sum, particularly since their own customer base only has 60 days to dispute transactions. 

Each time we have called to see when the money will be released, we are told to call back the following month.  The last time we called, we were told that the funds would not be released until March of 2012, over nine months since the original transaction!  They advised us they have the right to hold the funds for 270 days per our contract.  We are a small business, and this has seriously affected our cash flow. 

If this company contacts you about switching services, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction, especially if you're a small business.  Once they have you, they have you and it may seriously harm your business as it has ours.  Worst decision we ever could have made.  Interestingly enough we returned to our previous credit card processing company who matched their prices.