On-site merchant inspections — also called on-site surveys or merchant investigations — give a credit card processor an objective visual and operational look at a business, usually as part of onboarding a new merchant account.
Why acquirers do this
It's a direct way to catch shell accounts and counterfeit operations, and to confirm what a merchant actually put on their application — product types, sales volume, employee count — matches reality.
Two levels of inspection
- Exterior (drive-by): less intensive — exterior photos, signage check, address confirmation, without deep operational insight
- Interior: a full assessment documenting inventory, equipment, staff count, layout, hours, licenses, and operating procedures — the kind of evidence that actually confirms legitimacy
What to evaluate in a provider
- Geographic coverage
- Whether both exterior and interior inspections are available
- Turnaround time — typically 3–5 days
- Online request and reporting
- Ability to customize for unusual requirements
Vendors deliver photographic evidence and a summary report flagging any fraud indicators or discrepancies — acquirers weigh things like minimal inventory or contradictions with the original application when deciding whether to approve or deny.