--- title: Detecting Padded Dues and Credit Card Assessment Fees description: Spot padded dues and credit card assessment fees in your merchant statements and determine whether your Merchant Account Provider is ethical. image: https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/credit-card-assessment-fees-unethical-billing.svg --- [tel:1-800-601-0230](tel:1-800-601-0230) 800-601-0230 - Features - Solutions - Developers - [Pricing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/pricing.html) - Resources [See a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/tour-payjunction) Features - EXPLORE PRODUCTS [No-code Payments Integration®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/no-code-payments-integration.html) [ZeroTouch Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-terminal.html) [Portable Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/portable-credit-card-reader-terminal.html) - ACCEPT PAYMENTS [Invoices](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/electronic-invoices.html) [ACH Electronic Checks](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ach-payments.html) [SmartSurcharge®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-surcharge.html) [Cards on File](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/store-credit-card-info.html) [Rapid Refunds](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/credit-card-refund.html) [Recurring Billing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/recurring-payments.html) [Ecommerce](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ecommerce-merchant-services.html) [Mobile App](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/payjunction/id1324839420?ls=1&mt=8) - EXPLORE CAPABILITIES [Overview](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-processing-solutions.html) [Integration Marketplace](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Remote Signature](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/signature-capture.html) [Multi-Location](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/enterprise-payments.html) [Sales Reports](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/sales-reports.html) [Search and Export](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/transaction-history-search.html) [Customization](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/custom-payment-software.html) Solutions - [Veterinary Streamline payment workflows and get paid faster with up-front deposits and payment schedules for high-cost procedures. 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In part four of this series, we will reveal padded dues and credit card assessment fees: another way providers make money by hiding fees from their customers. ## What Are Dues and Credit Card Assessment Fees? In addition to the cost to run the transaction (Interchange), card brands charge dues and credit card assessment fees to cover: - Network operations to run transactions - Price and rule setting - Marketing expenses - Research and development of new technologies to fight fraud Dues and credit card assessment fees are charged by the card brands and paid by Merchant Account Providers, but the fees are passed onto their customers. The card brands update dues and credit card assessment fees periodically, but they are not modified as often as Interchange. These fees are the same for all providers, which means they are the same for you, too. Full details are included in each card brand’s Interchange guide, but here’s the typical breakdown: - [Visa](https://usa.visa.com/support/small-business/regulations-fees.html#1), [MasterCard](https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/about-mastercard/what-we-do/interchange.html) and [Discover](http://www.discovernetwork.com/home/data/acqIntchgLanding.html) charge between 0.11% - 0.13% for dues and assessments - [Amex](https://www209.americanexpress.com/merchant/services/en_US/accept-credit-cards?inav=menu_business_merchgetaccount#profession) charges 0.15% for dues and assessments These fees are charged monthly on the volume for each card brand you accept, so you should see percentages consistent with the breakdown above. However, if you’re working with a deceptive provider, your monthly statements may reflect a higher percentage for dues and assessments. ## Payment Processing Demo Schedule 15 minutes with a payments expert Get a customized PayJunction product walk-through Understand requirements and pricing Determine your SAVINGS! GET DEMO NOW ## Padded Dues and Credit Card Assessment Fees By hiding an additional markup in the dues and credit card assessment fees, your provider's fees become padded. Your statement should reflect the percentages that the card brands publish in their Interchange guides. Unethical providers know most customers won’t look at these, so they sneak in a markup. Here’s an example: ![Padded-Dues-and-Assessments](https://blog.payjunction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG/BLOG%20IN-LINE%20IMAGES/Padded-Dues-and-Assessments.png?width=760&name=Padded-Dues-and-Assessments.png) - This provider is claiming MasterCard’s credit card assessment fees is 0.19% - The true MasterCard fee is between 0.11% - 0.13% - The provider is hiding a markup between 0.06% - 0.08% Where you find these fees on your merchant statement depends on your provider. Sometimes they are just listed under fees, or separated into another section titled Card Association Fees. By charging them, unethical providers take advantage of their customers' trust in their service. ## Padded Credit Card Assessment fees and Dues: Tips to Avoid Them With a little research on your part, you can determine if you’re being charged for this. Cross-check your current merchant statements with the dues and credit card assessment fees listed in the most recently published Interchange guide for each card brand. We recommend getting a statement analysis by a professional to confirm this, as statements are complex and typically contain more than meets the eye. Work with a transparent provider to ensure you’re paying the lowest fees possible. ## Identify over a dozen unethical fees with our Merchant Service Provider Assessment! Have you been charged hidden fees? Are you concerned you’re getting overcharged on regulated fees? Please share below. We’d love to hear from you. [Unethical Billing](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/unethical-billing) [Credit Card Processing](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/credit-card-processing) --- ##### [![Merchant Fees You Shouldn't Be Paying](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/merchant-service-fees-unethical-billing.svg) Merchant Fees You Shouldn't Be Paying](https://blog.payjunction.com/merchant-service-fees-unethical-billing) ##### [![Are You Being Refunded Interchange?](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/interchange-refunds-unethical-billing.svg) Are You Being Refunded Interchange?](https://blog.payjunction.com/interchange-refunds-unethical-billing) ###### About Author ![Picture of Ursula Librizzi](https://blog.payjunction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ursula_Librizzi.jpg?width=200&height=200&name=Ursula_Librizzi.jpg) ### Ursula Librizzi Ursula is the sales and marketing operations manager for PayJunction. She oversees daily marketing tasks and liaises between the sales and marketing departments. ###### Related Posts ## [![Merchant Fees You Shouldn't Be Paying](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/merchant-service-fees-unethical-billing.svg) Merchant Fees You Shouldn't Be Paying Some Merchant Account Providers take advantage of their customers and charge unnecessary merchant credit card processing fees. In part two of this series, we will identify seven unwarranted merchant service fees your provider may be charging you. Payment Processing Demo Schedule 15 minutes with a payments expert Get a customized PayJunction product walk-through Understand requirements and pricing Determine your SAVINGS! GET DEMO NOW](https://blog.payjunction.com/merchant-service-fees-unethical-billing) ## [![Improper Merchant Underwriting Directly Affects Your Business](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/merchant-underwriting-unethical-billing.svg) Improper Merchant Underwriting Directly Affects Your Business To get a traditional merchant account, your business must go through an extensive review process called merchant underwriting. Unfortunately some Merchant Account Providers don’t effectively underwrite businesses, which can lead to issues down the line.](https://blog.payjunction.com/merchant-underwriting-unethical-billing) ## [![Spotting Padded Interchange in Your Merchant Statements](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/interchange-padded-unethical-billing.svg) Spotting Padded Interchange in Your Merchant Statements Unfortunately, many Merchant Account Providers practice unethical billing and lie about the fees they charge you. Billing statements are intentionally complex to keep customers from finding hidden fees.](https://blog.payjunction.com/interchange-padded-unethical-billing) ## Meet a Payment System You’ll Love - ###### FEATURES [No-code Payments Integration®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/no-code-payments-integration.html) [ZeroTouch Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-terminal.html) [Portable Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/portable-credit-card-reader-terminal.html) [Invoices](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/electronic-invoices.html) [ACH](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ach-payments.html) [SmartSurcharge®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-surcharge.html) [Cards on File](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/store-credit-card-info.html) [Recurring Billing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/recurring-payments.html) - [Ecommerce](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ecommerce-merchant-services.html) [Customization](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/custom-payment-software.html) [Remote Signatures](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/signature-capture.html) [Rapid Refunds](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/credit-card-refund.html) [Multi-Location](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/enterprise-payments.html) [Sales Reports](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/sales-reports.html) [Search and Export](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/transaction-history-search.html) [Mobile App](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/payjunction/id1324839420?ls=1&mt=8) - ###### BUSINESS SOLUTIONS [Auto Dealers](https://www2.payjunction.com/automotive-merchant-services) [Veterinary](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-veterinarians) [Dentistry](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-dentists) - ###### RESOURCES [Product Overview](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-processing-solutions.html) [Integrations](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Blog](https://blog.payjunction.com/) [Guides](https://guides.payjunction.com/) [Support](https://support.payjunction.com/) [Service Status](https://status.payjunction.com/) [Tutorials](https://blog.payjunction.com/tag/pj-university/) [API](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-api.html) - [Trust Center](https://trust.payjunction.com/) [Request a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/payjunction-demo) [Pricing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/pricing.html) [About Us](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/about.html) [Careers *HIRING*](https://www2.payjunction.com/careers) [Press](https://media.payjunction.com/) - ###### RESOURCES [Integrations](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Guides](https://guides.payjunction.com/) [Tutorials](https://blog.payjunction.com/tag/pj-university/) [API](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-api.html) [Request a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/payjunction-demo) [About Us](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/about.html) [Careers *HIRING*](https://www2.payjunction.com/careers) [Press](https://media.payjunction.com/) [Trust Center](https://trust.payjunction.com/) [Service Status](https://status.payjunction.com/) - ###### BUSINESS SOLUTIONS [Auto Dealers](https://www2.payjunction.com/automotive-merchant-services) [Veterinary](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-veterinarians) [Dentistry](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-dentists) ##### 800-601-0230 SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER  Become a better advocate for your business. 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