1. A computer-based method comprising: modeling, by a computer-based system for reducing merchant risks, consumer spending patterns to produce a model of consumer spending patterns, wherein the computer-based system comprises a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory, and wherein the model is stored in the memory of the computer-based system; estimating, by the computer-based system, a credit-related characteristic of the customer based on the model of consumer spending patterns; offsetting, by the computer-based system, previous balance transfers from the estimated credit-related characteristic; determining, by the computer-based system, a risk value of the customer based on the estimated credit-related characteristic; and assessing a collection probability of a dishonored check based on the determined risk value.