Every merchant is assigned a merchant category code (MCC) — a four-digit number used by card networks to classify the primary business activity. MCCs determine how transactions are processed, how fees are structured, and how risk is assessed.
Let’s take a closer look at MCC 7273.
What is MCC 7273?
MCC 7273 identifies businesses engaged in dating services, including both online and in-person offerings. This includes dating apps, matchmaking services, and personal ad platforms. Whether the service is subscription-based, pay-per-interaction, or app-driven, if the core offering involves facilitating romantic or personal relationships for a fee, it typically falls under this classification.
These businesses often operate under intense regulatory scrutiny and face unique challenges around user identity, data handling, and dispute frequency — all of which contribute to this MCC’s treatment as high risk by processors and card networks.
Is MCC 7273 considered high risk?
Yes — MCC 7273 is widely recognized as high risk. The reasons include:
- High chargeback rates: Dating services experience above-average dispute volumes, often due to buyer’s remorse, confusion, or fraud.
- Fraud exposure: Scams, synthetic profiles, and stolen card usage are common attack vectors in this category.
- Reputational and regulatory pressure: Age verification, consent issues, and platform abuse have drawn regulatory attention and stricter card network policies.
Card networks like Visa and Mastercard track MCC 7273 closely through monitoring programs, which can lead to additional reporting requirements, fines, or processing limits if thresholds are exceeded.
Because of this, merchants in MCC 7273 are typically subject to:
- Higher transaction fees and rolling reserves
- Stricter onboarding and KYC requirements
- Enhanced due diligence and periodic account reviews
- Increased sensitivity to chargeback thresholds
Being classified as high risk isn’t a dead end — but it does require proactive management. Tools like Ethoca or Verifi alerts, Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR), and clear billing descriptors are essential for staying ahead of potential disputes.
Does MCC 7273 require a license?
While no universal license exists for dating services, businesses under MCC 7273 may need to meet a range of compliance obligations depending on where they operate:
- Age verification systems are often required to block underage users, particularly for adult platforms.
- Clear terms of service, cancellation policies, and refund guidelines are critical to prevent misunderstandings that lead to disputes.
- Data security and privacy protections, including GDPR or CCPA compliance, are essential due to the personal nature of the data collected.
- Some jurisdictions may require special content moderation practices, especially if user-generated profiles or messaging are involved.
Processors may also impose their own documentation or operational standards during underwriting.
Does MCC 7273 have special fees or pricing?
Yes. Most high-risk MCCs, including 7273, face adjusted pricing to reflect their elevated risk profile:
- Higher per-transaction fees or “high-risk pricing tiers”
- Rolling reserves, typically holding back 5–10% of processed volume for 90+ days
- Monthly volume minimums or capped exposure thresholds
- Manual review fees or onboarding surcharges
These measures are designed to protect processors against revenue loss from chargebacks or regulatory actions. Merchants should review processor agreements carefully and understand how fees are structured in this context.
Can I request a different MCC if I offer multiple services?
There are some situations where a merchant is required to maintain multiple MCCs. But MCC 7273 is not usually one of them.
Your acquiring bank assigns your MCC at the time of onboarding — though you may challenge the assignment if it doesn’t reflect your core operations. Documentation such as invoices, marketing materials, product listings, and processing statements may be required.
What are some similar MCCs?
If your services overlap with other personal or online services, you might be compared to these MCCs:
Even if you don’t fall under these codes, knowing them can help you understand what risk and compliance profiles your acquirer may be comparing you to.
Ready to Process Securely Under MCC 7273?
AltoPay helps dating service merchants stay compliant, reduce disputes, and scale confidently — even in high-risk environments. Whether you’re expanding your business or upgrading from a limited processor, we can help you simplify the complexities of payments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What else do I need to know about MCCs?
Are MCCs the same across all card networks and acquirers?
It depends on your industry and business type. Some businesses are easy to classify and MCCs are consistent across all card networks and acquirers. However, MCC assignment is open to interpretation, and one organization might view your primary business line differently than another.
Are MCCs the same across all card networks and acquirers?
It depends on your industry and business type. Some businesses are easy to classify and MCCs are consistent across all card networks and acquirers. However, MCC assignment is open to interpretation, and one organization might view your primary business line differently than another.
Who decides my MCC?
Your MCC is determined and assigned by the payment processor or acquiring bank when you set up your merchant account. The processor selects the MCC that most accurately describes your primary business activity , using official lists provided by Visa or Mastercard. Merchants cannot assign their own MCC, but they can request a change or review if the assigned code does not accurately reflect their business.
Can I request a different MCC if I offer multiple services?
MCCs reflect your primary business based on annual sales volume measured in local currency. So if you sell different types of goods or services, your MCC will be based on sales volume.
There are a couple situations and industries that require a merchant to use multiple MCCs.
- Multiple businesses operating at the same merchant location will use different MCCs. For example, a restaurant in a hotel would have one MCC and the hotel would have a different MCC.
- Gas stations with automated fuel dispensers (AFDs) will use one MCC for the AFD and a different MCC to sell other goods and services.
- An ATM will use one MCC for cash disbursements and a different MCC if anything is purchased from the ATM (such as stamps).
- A business that provides manual cash disbursement will use an MCC for those transactions but a different MCC for any other goods or services that are sold.
- A business that conducts quasi-cash transactions (such as crypto currency sellers) must use a distinct MCC for those transactions and a different MCC for anything else sold at that merchant location.
- A merchant that links from its own website to another website must use the appropriate MCC for each website.
- For in-person, card-present gambling transactions, the merchant will use one MCC for gambling and a different MCC for other goods or services. This is also true for U.S. gambling merchants. But if the merchant conducts card-absent gambling transactions, the gambling MCC must be used for all transactions, even if gambling is not the primary business activity.
How do I know what my MCC is?
Your MCC will appear on your VAR sheet, registration form, onboarding sheet, MID credential form, processor contract, or may be visible in your payment platform dashboard. If you’re unsure, contact your acquiring bank or payment processor to confirm.
Does my MCC affect my interchange rate?
Yes. Different MCCs carry different interchange fees based on the risk and cost structures defined by card networks. For example, high-risk or digital services often incur higher rates than low-risk retail or professional services.
Can my MCC affect my ability to process payments?
Absolutely. Some MCCs are flagged as restricted or prohibited by certain processors. If your MCC is considered high risk, you may be subject to reserves, stricter underwriting, or even account denials depending on the provider.
How often can my MCC change?
Your MCC typically stays the same unless your business model or primary revenue stream changes significantly. If your business evolves, you can request a reassessment — but approvals depend on supporting documentation and processor policies.
What happens if I’m misclassified with the wrong MCC?
A misclassification can affect your fees, risk status, and ability to win disputes. You can challenge the assignment by submitting evidence of your business activity. This may require invoices, product catalogs, promotional materials, and processing history with sales volume.
For more than a decade, Jessica Velasco has been a thought leader in the payments industry. She aims to provide readers with valuable, easy-to-understand resources.
