Skip to main content
All CollectionsFAQ'sPayment
Underwriting Limits, Risk Reviews, Chargebacks, and Retrievals
Underwriting Limits, Risk Reviews, Chargebacks, and Retrievals
Katie Stevens avatar
Written by Katie Stevens
Updated over a month ago

Underwriting Limits, Risk Reviews, Chargebacks, and Retrievals

Managing transactions effectively requires an understanding of key financial processes such as underwriting limits, risk reviews, chargebacks, and retrievals. Each of these areas plays a critical role in maintaining smooth payment processing while minimizing disruptions and financial risks. Below is an overview of these topics and best practices for handling them.


Underwriting Limits

What Are Underwriting Limits?

Underwriting limits are predefined transaction or volume thresholds set during the onboarding process. These limits are based on your business type, processing history, and overall risk profile to help manage financial exposure and reduce risk. Exceeding these limits may trigger a Risk Review, leading to temporary holds on funds until additional verification is completed.

How Can I Increase My Underwriting Limits?

If your business is expanding and requires higher processing limits, you can request an increase by providing updated financial and operational documentation, including:

  • Recent bank statements (last three months)

  • Transaction history showing consistent processing volumes

  • Invoices or contracts for large upcoming transactions

  • Business growth projections and expected processing volumes

To begin the process, contact Payzer Support. Proactively increasing your underwriting limits can help prevent unexpected holds and ensure seamless transactions.

How Can I Avoid Risk Issues?

To minimize disruptions and maintain a healthy processing relationship with Fiserv, follow these best practices:

Maintain Accurate Records – Keep detailed invoices, proof of delivery, and customer communication logs.

Monitor for Unusual Activity – Watch for sudden spikes in processing volume, unexpected refunds, or chargebacks, and report anomalies to Payzer.

Reduce Chargebacks – Clearly communicate refund policies, provide responsive customer support, and set accurate delivery expectations.

Ensure Compliance – Regularly review Fiserv’s processing guidelines and notify Payzer of any major business changes, such as shifts in product offerings or significant transaction increases.

By staying proactive and compliant, you can avoid risk holds and maintain uninterrupted payment processing.


Risk Reviews

What Are Risk Reviews?

A Risk Review occurs when Fiserv flags transactions for further evaluation due to unusual activity, potential fraud, or significant deviations from historical processing patterns. During this process, funds may be temporarily held while Fiserv completes an investigation to mitigate chargeback risks and financial loss.

How Can I Resolve a Risk Review?

To resolve a Risk Review efficiently, submit all requested documentation to Fiserv as soon as possible. This may include:

📌 Recent bank statements (last three months)

📌 Proof of delivery (tracking numbers, signed receipts)

📌 Invoices related to the transaction(s)

📌 Customer contact information (billing address, phone number)

Providing complete and accurate documentation helps expedite the review process and ensures a faster release of held funds.

How Do I Handle a Risk Review?

If your account is placed under Risk Review, follow these steps to minimize delays:

1️⃣ Review Fiserv’s Request – Carefully read the communication outlining the flagged transactions and required documentation.

2️⃣ Gather Documentation – Collect invoices, delivery records, and financial statements to support the legitimacy of the transaction.

3️⃣ Respond Promptly – Submit documentation directly to Fiserv’s Merchant Services Risk Monitoring team at 📧 SVC-CreditRiskManager@fiserv.com or work through your Payzer representative.

4️⃣ Monitor Communication – Stay in touch with Fiserv to address any follow-up questions or additional requests.

5️⃣ Plan for Future Transactions – If your business anticipates higher sales volumes, inform Fiserv in advance to prevent future holds.

By responding swiftly and thoroughly, businesses can minimize disruptions and continue processing transactions without significant delays.


Chargebacks

What Are Chargebacks?

A chargeback occurs when a customer disputes a transaction with their bank, leading to a reversal of the transaction amount. Chargebacks can happen for various reasons, including:

🔹 Unauthorized transactions

🔹 Customer dissatisfaction with the product/service

🔹 Billing errors

Chargebacks can impact your business financially through fees, revenue loss, and penalties if dispute rates become excessive. To manage chargebacks effectively, businesses can use BusinessTrack.com, which provides:

Chargeback details and status tracking

Customer dispute responses

A platform to dispute chargebacks directly

How Do I Handle Chargebacks?

Handling chargebacks effectively requires a structured approach:

Respond Promptly – Review the chargeback notification and submit a response within the specified timeframe.

Gather Supporting Documentation – Provide clear and relevant evidence to counter the dispute, such as:

  • Sales receipts or invoices

  • Proof of product/service delivery (tracking numbers, signed confirmations)

  • Customer communication records (emails, chat logs)
    Use BusinessTrack.com – Enroll at BusinessTrack.com using your Merchant Number (found on the top right corner of your processing statement) to:

  • View chargeback details

  • Submit dispute responses

  • Track dispute resolutions

How Can I Prevent Future Chargebacks?

Identify patterns in recurring disputes and take preventive measures.

Implement clear billing practices and customer communication.

Provide accurate product descriptions, delivery timelines, and refund policies.

For help with BusinessTrack.com enrollment, contact their support team at 📞 1-800-285-3978 or reach out to Payzer Support.


Retrievals

What Are Retrievals?

A retrieval request occurs when a customer’s bank requests additional information about a transaction before filing a chargeback. This typically happens when a customer:

🔸 Does not recognize a charge

🔸 Needs clarification on a purchase

🔸 Is gathering details to determine whether to dispute the transaction

While retrievals do not immediately result in chargebacks, failing to respond adequately can increase the likelihood of one, potentially impacting your dispute ratio and processing stability.

How Should I Respond to Retrieval Requests?

To prevent retrievals from escalating into chargebacks, respond promptly and thoroughly by providing:

Transaction details – Include the date, amount, and product/service description.

Proof of service or delivery – Submit signed delivery confirmations, tracking numbers, or service completion records.

Customer communication records – Provide relevant emails, receipts, or agreements confirming the transaction.

Refund or cancellation policies – If applicable, include these to clarify any misunderstandings.

Submitting accurate and complete documentation within the required timeframe helps resolve the request early and reduces the risk of financial loss. If you frequently receive retrieval requests, consider improving customer communication, transaction descriptors, and refund policies to minimize disputes.


By staying proactive in monitoring transactions, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance, businesses can reduce financial risks and keep payment processing running smoothly.

Did this answer your question?