Checkout.com's terms identify categories of businesses and transaction types that are prohibited from using its payment services. Merchants operating in restricted categories may have accounts suspended or terminated without prior notice.
This analysis describes what Checkout.com's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Merchants in industries that may be considered high-risk or borderline need to confirm their business model is permitted under Checkout.com's prohibited activities list before integrating the platform.
Interpretive note: The specific prohibited activities list and its enforcement mechanism were not visible in the truncated document; analysis is based on standard industry practice and the document's contextual references to compliance and fraud products.
If a business is found to be operating in a prohibited category after integrating Checkout.com, the resulting account suspension can disrupt payment operations and delay access to funds already processed.
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(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Prohibited activity clauses in payment processing agreements are informed by AML and CTF obligations, card network rules from Visa and Mastercard, and regulatory guidance from the FCA, relevant EU competent authorities, and OFAC in the US. The FTC also monitors unfair or deceptive practices related to payment processing restrictions. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. Prohibited activity clauses are standard in payment processing but the breadth of the restricted categories and whether they are exhaustively listed or subject to change at Checkout.com's discretion determines the actual exposure. Merchants in adjacent industries such as digital goods, gaming, or financial services may face classification risk. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: US merchants face OFAC sanctions compliance overlays. EU merchants must assess compliance with PSD2 and national AML transposition laws. UK merchants are subject to FCA guidance on high-risk sectors. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Procurement teams should obtain a copy of the current prohibited activities list and confirm that the merchant's business model is clearly permitted, including all product verticals and geographies. Contracts should specify what happens to processed funds if a subsequent determination of prohibited activity is made. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should conduct a pre-onboarding business model assessment against Checkout.com's prohibited activities list and establish a monitoring process for any updates to that list over the term of the agreement.
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Merchants in industries that may be considered high-risk or borderline need to confirm their business model is permitted under Checkout.com's prohibited activities list before integrating the platform.
If a business is found to be operating in a prohibited category after integrating Checkout.com, the resulting account suspension can disrupt payment operations and delay access to funds already processed.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Checkout.com.