Confused: Is Central Payments Setting Up Accounts for Merchant Store Owners???

[Siamese-Dream.Com]

This may seem like it is out of left field, but...

We got an email from Authorize.net saying that our account with them had been approved and just needed to be activated. This was weird because we have never applied for an account with authroize.net.

We emailed them, and they said that the account was created by central payment corp.

That is even stranger because, as far as we know, we don't have any sort of affiliation with central payment corp.

So in trying to figure this out, I figured I would ask if there was some sort of partnership with Miva where central payment corp was automatically creating accounts with Authorize.net for Miva Merchant store owners.

Otherwise, I don't know exactly how Central Payment Corp would create an account for us with authorize.net

Thanks in advance.

[ILoveHostasaurus]

It's not uncommon for a merchant account provider to bundle a re-sold gateway in with a merchant account offering. Did you sign up for a new merchant account with anyone? Also not entirely uncommon for a bank to bundle a merchant account you don't want with a new checking account, and then that entity bundles a gateway you don't want; so opening a new business bank account can trigger this as well.

In any case, no, we don't open merchant accounts or gateway accounts on behalf of customers. We do have certain deals with partners, but executing those is still done directly with the various entities, not through us.

[Siamese-Dream.Com]

Did you sign up for a new merchant account with anyone?

That's the thing. No, we DIDN'T sign up for any credit card processing account with anyone, so we don't know what is happening.

But you are saying that just going to the bank and opening up a business checking account might cause them to bundle a credit card processing account as well? (Which would in turn bundle autrorize.net gateway).???

[ILoveHostasaurus]

I've heard of that occurring before, à la Wells Fargo sales reps opening up accounts you didn't ask for to pad commissions, which they earn even if you realize it and shut down the unwanted stuff. Central Payment Corp seems to be a merchant account provider, so they probably partner with Authnet, but how they got your info and/or opened an account with them, and then authnet, on your behalf, is probably something you'll have to contact them for.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

It could also be a phishing attempt. remember kids, never click a link in an email you are not 100% sure off...type into the browser...or better yet, into google first