When they don't hold you're funds for illegitimate reasons it can be quite easy to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I've been using Square for my video production business, but after this experience, I'm looking for alternatives immediately.
What Happened
I received a legitimate payment via ACH bank transfer from a client for a video production contract we won through an RFP process. Square placed the funds on hold, claiming they needed to investigate a potential "credit card scam" - despite this being an ACH transfer, not a credit card payment.
I provided all requested documentation about the contract and client relationship. Instead of conducting a proper investigation, Square simply decided the payment was fraudulent and told me the "decision is final."
The Real Problem here is
Aggressive algorithms with no human oversight: Their fraud detection flagged a legitimate business payment with no reasonable review process
Scripted customer service with no authority: Representatives couldn't provide real explanations and repeatedly said "this decision is final" without actually investigating
Holding legitimate funds hostage: My earned money was inaccessible while I'm actively working on the project
Forcing unnecessary delays: Now I have to issue a refund, wait for processing, and arrange alternative payment methods - all because of their mistake
The Bigger Issue
This isn't just poor customer service - it's a fundamental problem with how Square treats legitimate businesses. When your payment processor can arbitrarily decide your earned income is "fraudulent" with no real recourse, it creates an unstable foundation for running a business.
For a company that markets itself as supporting small businesses, holding legitimate payments without proper investigation and offering no meaningful appeal process is completely unacceptable.
Recommendation
If you're a small business owner, especially one that occasionally receives larger payments, consider a different payment processor. Do not rely on Square - this experience has shown me they can't be trusted with important business transactions.
Update: Currently switching to alternative payment solutions that treat legitimate business relationships with appropriate respect. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
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