Towing Services
Vehicle towing and roadside recovery.
What MCC 7549 covers
Merchant Category Code 7549 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for towing services. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
Vehicle towing and roadside recovery. 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 7549 covers merchants providing vehicle towing and roadside assistance services. Given the emergency nature of many transactions, ticket sizes can vary significantly, from small roadside repairs or jump-starts to higher costs for long-distance towing or accident recovery.
Transaction frequency is typically episodic rather than recurring.
Chargebacks are not excessively high for this MCC, though disputes can arise from service issues such as extended wait times, damage to vehicles during towing, or billing discrepancies. Customers may claim services were not rendered as agreed or that charges exceed quoted prices.
Most transactions occur face-to-face or via phone, reducing fraud risk.
There are no specific scheme programmes targeting this MCC. Cardflo's robust acquiring network can support on-the-spot payment capture through mobile POS solutions, ensuring efficient processing during emergencies and reducing potential manual error-related disputes.
Acquirer & underwriting stance
Low-risk standard board. These merchants typically present a stable risk profile with minimal fraud vectors.
Standard underwriting and monitoring apply without special reserves.
How Cardflo handles MCC 7549
- Underwriting with acquirers that actively board MCC 7549 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 are the common chargeback reasons for towing services and how can they be mitigated?
Common chargeback reasons include 'Services Not as Described' (Reason Code 30) due to vehicle damage during towing or lengthy delays, and 'Credit Not Processed' (Reason Code 53) if a refund is expected but not received.
Mitigation involves clear communication of service terms, documented vehicle condition before and after towing, and swift processing of any applicable refunds, ensuring clear communication with the cardholder.
Are there specific payment security considerations for roadside assistance merchants?
For roadside assistance, significant transactions might occur face-to-face in unpredictable environments. Ensuring that mobile POS devices are PCI DSS compliant, secure, and capable of supporting EMV chip and PIN transactions is crucial.
Strong authentication for card-not-present phone orders, such as address verification services (AVS) and CVV checks, is also recommended to prevent fraud.
Can towing services benefit from particular payment processing features?
Yes, towing services can benefit from features like mobile payment terminals for on-site transactions, pre-authorisation capabilities to hold funds before service delivery, and robust invoicing systems for corporate or insurance-related billing.
Cardflo's flexible acquiring options allow for tailored terminal solutions and effective dispute management tools for these specific needs.
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