Nuvei to Pay $4.85M Over Payments for Tech Support Scams

TL;DR: On September 4, 2026, the FTC announced that payment processor Nuvei must adopt stronger merchant screening and pay $4.85 million to settle charges that it facilitated merchant fraud. The FTC says one offshore tech support scam processed over $30 million in consumer payments from 2017 to 2023. The order is proposed and the allegations have not been adjudicated.

👉 Check my digital footprint — free 30-second check →

What happened

The FTC press release alleges Nuvei and its subsidiaries opened and maintained payment accounts for merchants that it “knew or should have known” were engaged in deception, including tech support scams. It alleges a merchant acquiring bank registered in Cyprus gave overseas tech support schemes accounts that let them charge U.S. cardholders.

Named merchants include Reimage, an offshore tech support scam that the FTC says processed over $30 million in consumer payments from 2017 to 2023, a business opportunity seller (DK Automation) that made false or baseless earnings claims, and a seller that impersonated government tax authorities (American Tax Service). The $4.85 million settlement payment is to be used for consumer redress.

Why it works

Scammers can only charge a card if a processor gives them an account. When a processor ignores warning signs such as high chargebacks, scam sellers can keep billing consumers long after complaints begin.

The FTC charges unfair payment processing practices under the FTC Act and assisting deceptive telemarketers in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

Background: our explainers on tech support scams and IRS impersonation scams. See also Tax Debt “Pennies on the Dollar” Scams: FTC Settlement and FBI: Fake Owners Are Selling Vacant Land They Don’t Own.

What the proposed order requires

A ban on providing services to sellers of tech support products sold through telemarketing or security and performance pop-up messages.
A prohibition on false statements to obtain merchant accounts and on tactics that evade bank or card network fraud monitoring.
Screening and monitoring of existing and prospective clients, including outbound telemarketing merchants.
Enhanced screening and investigation of any client whose chargeback rates exceed the order’s limits.

If you have already sent money

Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for internet-enabled crime, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Our guides on how to report a scam to IC3, how to reverse a wire transfer scam and US bank impersonation scams walk through the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will Nuvei pay?

Nuvei would pay $4.85 million, to be used for consumer redress, under a proposed order announced on September 4, 2026.

What does the FTC allege?

That Nuvei opened and maintained payment accounts for merchants it knew or should have known were deceiving consumers, including tech support scams.

Is the case decided?

No. The order is proposed and the allegations have not been adjudicated.

How do I protect myself from tech support scams?

Be suspicious of security pop-ups and unexpected calls claiming a device is infected, never give remote access to strangers and dispute unrecognized card charges with your card issuer.

Payment Processor Nuvei Must Tighten Merchant Screening and Pay $4.85 Million, FTC Says