Prohibited Merchants

The following Merchants / Industries are prone to high levels of financial risk/liability. The first list contains Prohibited Merchants. The second list contains High Risk Merchants.

Prohibited Merchants / Industries

We do not provide Merchant Accounts for the following types of Merchants:

  • Business Practices Promoting Racism, Violence, Abuse, Discrimination or Other Immoral Activity
  • Illegal products/activities of any kind
  • Intellectual Property Rights Violators
  • Airlines
  • Credit Repair Services
  • Drug Paraphernalia
  • Gambling Establishments
  • Lottery Sales
  • Massage Parlors (unless licensed for physical therapy)
  • Age Verification Services
  • Adult Videotext Merchants (pornography)
  • Negative Option Billing
  • Outbound Telemarketing
  • Internet Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Cable box de-scramblers
  • Internet/Mail-Order designer/imitation Handbags
  • Internet/Mail-Order Watches
  • Annual Billing with High Average Tickets
  • Matrix Merchants
  • Internet as "Seen on TV" Products
  • Knock off Athletic Shoes
  • Medical Advice
  • Human Growth Hormones

High Risk Merchants / Industries

The following Merchant types are historically prone to higher levels of chargeback and fraudulent activity. These Merchants may represent high levels of financial risk / liability. These Merchants will be subject to escalated UNDERWRITING procedures, which may include a High-Risk Plan (SEE BELOW).

  • Answering Services
  • Non-profit organizations, donations and charity events
  • Diet Centers
  • Health Clubs
  • Investment Opportunities
  • Liquidators
  • Collection Agencies
  • Escort or Dating Services
  • Multi-level Marketing
  • Time Share Sales
  • Bankruptcy Lawyers/Firms
  • Travel Agencies
  • Long Distance ServicesPre-paid legal advice/services
  • Male or Female Sexual Enhancement Supplements or Products
  • Pre-Paid Phone Cards
  • Internet Perfume Stores
  • Downloadable Software
  • Sunglasses
  • Motivational and Self-improvement Courses
  • Non-Retail Pawn Shops
  • Seminars
  • Tanning Salons
  • Vitamin/Herbal Supplement Sales
  • Water Purification
  • Non-Retail Jewelry
  • Electronics including Laptops and Computers
  • Cellular Phones and Pagers
  • Non-Retail Computer Hardware and/or Software sales
  • Legal Advice and Kits
  • Auto Accessories/Tire Rims

Additional UNDERWRITING requirements for High Risk Merchant Types may include:

  • The latest business/financial statements
  • Detailed description of how Merchant conducts business relative to fulfillment, delivery, deposits
  • Copy of Drivers Licens
  • Copies of printed sales material, print ads and electronic media
  • Personal Guarantee of signatory with greater than or equal to 50% ownership in company
  • Co-signer with Personal Guarantee
  • Copy of Business License
  • Additional Business Trade References