Detective Agencies, Protective Services & Security
Security, investigation and guard services.
What MCC 7393 covers
Merchant Category Code 7393 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for detective agencies, protective services & security. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
Security, investigation and guard services. Choosing the right MCC is critical: an incorrect code can lead to higher interchange, surcharges, or, in regulated categories, declined transactions and account holds.
MCC 7393 covers detective agencies, protective services, and security services, including private investigators, security guards, alarm monitoring, and armoured car services. Transaction sizes can range from small, recurring fees for alarm monitoring (£20-£100/month) to larger, project-based fees for investigations or event security (£500-£5,000+).
Frequency varies from recurring monthly for monitoring/guard services to infrequent for specific investigative tasks.
Chargebacks are generally low but can arise from disagreements over the effectiveness of service, non-delivery of a report, or disputes regarding incidents (e. g.
, alarm not responded to). Proof of service delivery and clear contractual terms are vital.
Cardflo's ability to facilitate both recurring payments for subscription-based security services and secure one-off payments for investigations, alongside robust transaction logging and dispute management tools, is beneficial for merchants in this sector, ensuring reliable revenue streams and strong evidence for dispute resolution.
Acquirer & underwriting stance
Medium-risk standard board with monitoring. While many operations are low-risk, some sub-sectors (e.
g. , private investigation or security involving physical altercations) require closer scrutiny due to potential liability or reputational risk.
Standard underwriting with an emphasis on insurance coverage and clear service agreements. A small reserve may be requested in certain cases.
How Cardflo handles MCC 7393
- Underwriting with acquirers that actively board MCC 7393 businesses in your region.
- B2B card-not-present processing with Level 2 and Level 3 data support.
- Virtual-card, AP-automation and procurement-card acceptance.
- Invoice-linked payment flows and pay-by-link options for receivables teams.
- Settlement and reconciliation that maps cleanly to ERP and accounting systems.
Payment methods typically enabled
Common questions
What specific evidence should security companies provide for a 'services not rendered' chargeback?
For 'services not rendered' chargebacks, security companies should provide signed contracts detailing the scope of work, logbooks or attendance records of guards, alarm response logs, incident reports, photographic evidence (if relevant), and any client communication confirming service delivery or completion.
For alarm monitoring, system reports showing monitoring activity are crucial.
Are there specific scheme rules for recurring payments for alarm monitoring services?
Yes, for subscription-based alarm monitoring, schemes like Visa and Mastercard have clear rules for recurring payments. The merchant must obtain explicit customer authorisation for recurring billing, provide a clear cancellation policy, and notify the cardholder of upcoming charges if the amount or date changes.
Cardflo's recurring billing engine helps automate compliance with these scheme rules.
How does Cardflo help detective agencies manage payment privacy and compliance?
Detective agencies often handle sensitive client information and require secure payment processing. Cardflo ensures PCI DSS compliance for all card transactions, encrypting data at rest and in transit.
Our secure payment gateway and virtual terminal options allow agencies to process payments without storing sensitive card data on their own systems, enhancing privacy and reducing compliance burden.
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