Adult Industry Credit Card Processing
Specialized merchant accounts for adult businesses
Are you struggling with merchant account issues like freezes, holds, or shutdowns? Get the fastest safe way to process payments in the adult industry with Creditly.
Rated as one of the USA’s top adult industry processors in 2023 & 2024!
We specialize in adult products: Toys, Informational Products & Courses, plus other physical products. If you offer a different kind of adult service, we can still help you get set up.
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As an adult business accepting credit cards online, you need a truly reliable merchant account.
Last year, Payment Aggregators, including Stripe, closed down millions of merchant accounts, and the reason will shock you…
Simply put… It’s how their business model works!
They have one merchant account, which they let millions of merchants use. In doing so, they balance the risk between solid ethical business owners with entrepreneurs who would commit fraud, launder money, sell a poor-quality product, or close their doors before a consumer asks for a refund.
This allows aggregators like Stripe to set you up quickly, but it also allows them to shut you down even quicker.
The problem is that they don’t know anything about you when they set you up. They don’t know who you are, what you sell, or how you sell it.
If they set you up and anything unusual happens, such as a spike in chargebacks, the likelihood of them closing your account is HIGH.
Even worse, if one of your competitors does anything to trigger a flag in their system, they look at the entire adult industry… Toys, coaching, dating, supplements, and everything in between. And through no fault of your own, a competitor’s misstep could mean a closed account for you.
How does Creditly Different?
How do we keep our client’s adult business merchant account stable?
The KEY component is thorough underwriting.
Our specialists underwrite your account so that we understand your business and marketing model. This allows us to match you with a back-end bank that works with your vertical.
Which greatly lowers the chance of you ever having an issue.
On top of that, when you sign up with us, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact, access to our fraud protection services, recurring billing, mobile payments, hosted checkout, and integration to over 250 shopping carts.
We’ll also work with you to optimize your payments for the lifetime of your account.
Lowering your decline rates so that you can increase revenue, monitoring your chargeback ratios, and helping to mitigate them, plus much more.
Creditly helped us get access to a payment processor when others could not. They were super helpful and got us up and running faster than expected. Highly recommended!
Joseph Dubois
Co-FounderWe needed access to multiple processors, and Creditly delivered. It's good to know we have a partner that will stand behind us as we grow and expand our locations.
Jody Martinez
SAS & TravelOur high risk business needed help after Stipe held up payments. Creditly got us approved. I'll never go back to using Stripe or PayPal.
Neil Oliver
Ecommerce HealthCreditly Offers Adult Business Merchant Account & Payment Processing!
Transaction Routing – We’ll automatically route your transactions across multiple accounts. That way if anything ever happens to one, your others are still up and running.
White Glove Service – You’ll have a dedicated point of contact that you can reach any time you need them.
Decline Recovery – We’ll help you improve your approval ratios and reduce decline rates. That way, you put more cash back in your pocket and process more payments.
Chargeback Mitigation – Stop chargebacks before they begin with. our chargeback alert system. Greatly lower account issues and improve customer satisfaction.
Hosted Checkout – Quickly create checkout links and landing pages with a few clicks. Email them, DM them, or text them to your clients for payments on the fly.
Recurring Billing – Built-in recurring billing for subscription purchases with multiple payment options available
Mobile Payments – Process payments on the go with our easy to use mobile payment solution
250+ Integrations – Integration to nearly every shopping cart, plus we integrate to most apps and software. If you need something specific, our in-house development team will make it happen.
Banking For Nearly Every Vertical – We offer merchant accounts for almost every vertical, including high risk merchants and much more. Get approved today.
Unlimited High Ticket – Worry free processing of high ticket transactions and high volume. Check our offer of high volume merchant account!
Merchant Accounts For Products In The Adult Industry Space
An adult merchant account is considered high risk due to regulatory considerations and chargeback rates across the industry. But credit card processing for these businesses has become more accessible as the adult industry has moved into the mainstream.
From adult novelty shops and escort services to lingerie and adult toy stores, the adult industry is diverse and expansive. Some products and services are limited by law in certain regions and may have different rules online vs offline.
Keeping a healthy adult merchant account involves knowing the rules and regulations for your particular business as well as what products and services your processing account is designed for. Using a processing account for illegal or unapproved purposes will certainly lead to the termination of the account.
Chargeback activity can also be problematic if not kept in check. Chargebacks may be a result of “friendly fraud” by customers who don’t want to admit to a charge from an adult-themed business on their credit card statement, to sincere disputes from customers who don’t receive a product ordered online.
Appropriate strategies that can help keep chargeback ratios from getting out of hand include:
- Strong descriptors that include a customer service phone number
- Easy to find contact information on the Website, receipt, and packing slips
- A simple, easy-to-find return or refund policy
Creditly can help you get an adult merchant account and credit card processing services for your high risk business. Let us get you set up today.
Information On The Adult Industry And High Risk Payments
WHY IS THE ADULT ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY HIGH RISK?
Several factors qualify the adult entertainment industry as high risk. This includes factors like:
CARD-NOT-PRESENT PAYMENTS
Credit card transactions that happen when the physical card is not present are known as card-not-present payments. This includes any online transaction, as well as transactions made with a payment app such as Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
Card-not-present payments are very common in the adult entertainment industry as many transactions happen online where they can remain more anonymous.
HIGH TRANSACTION VOLUME
Adult entertainment is very popular with many repeat customers. This can mean a high transaction volume, which is good news for the business. However, high transaction volume can also make it harder to keep up with instances of fraud. This may cause merchant accounts to shy away or slap extra fees or fines on your account.
INCREASED INSTANCES OF CHARGEBACKS
Chargebacks happen when a customer doesn’t recognize a charge on their card, or when the customer believes a charge is in error. Chargebacks are more common with products bought online where the customer may not recognize the description of the product. Chargebacks are also more common in some adult industries.
STIGMA SURROUNDING INDUSTRY
Finally, many industries in the adult entertainment category are automatically labeled high risk due to the stigma surrounding these industries. While there is not much you can do to fight this prejudice, you can focus on running a business that is legally sound and offers a great customer experience and great customer support.
Excellent customer service and support also decrease instances of chargebacks. Customers who are pleased with their purchase are much less likely to dispute a charge.
THE RIGHT ADULT MERCHANT ACCOUNT FOR YOU
The right adult merchant account will understand and be fully supportive of your business model, and give you the tools and resources you need to succeed.
Some of the features you’ll want to look for in an adult merchant account are:
COST-EFFECTIVE
Every merchant account charges a fee per transaction. This is typically a percentage of the transaction amount.
Some merchant accounts offer variable rates, which can be cost-effective for companies with high transaction volumes. Variable rates mean you can get lower rates on some transactions, which will save you money in the long run.
Some accounts include hidden fees such as an early termination fee, for example. Examine your policy closely before signing up to ensure you know what you’re getting into when it comes to fees.
SECURE
Make sure your merchant account provider is PCI compliant, which means it has met all standards recommended by the Payment Card Industry. Your merchant account provider can also help you become PCI compliant as well, which is recommended for any business that uses credit cards.
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
For you to provide excellent customer service to your customers, you need the same from your merchant account provider! 24/7 customer service is extremely useful for online businesses that could have problems at any time.
REDUCE CHARGEBACKS
Merchant accounts can reduce instances of chargebacks by providing a clear statement on a customer’s credit card bill. They can also reach out to dissatisfied customers and offer a refund or replacement before the chargeback hits the credit card company. These are both strategies an adult merchant account can employ with your account.
A NOTE ON PAYMENT AGGREGATORS
Payment aggregators, also known as third-party payment processors, include companies such as Square, Stripe, and Paypal.
Payment aggregators offer credit card services to small, medium, or even large-sized businesses. They are especially attractive to small or new businesses due to their simplicity and simple pricing structure.
However, many payment aggregators do not accept businesses in the adult entertainment industry. Read the fine print on any policy closely to ensure you are not in violation of their terms.
The last thing you want is to have an account frozen or terminated due to violating terms and conditions.
What Is Creditly?
Creditly WORKS WITH aLL mERCHANTS
Creditly works with all kinds of merchants, including, what the banks call, “high risk” merchants. These merchants happen to be in an industry that the banks label as high risk which means that they have a higher likelihood of chargebacks, disputes and fraud.
The most common reason for this is card not present transactions which present a higher risk of fraud. These merchants can have a particularly hard time finding a high risk merchant account because a lot of payment processors refuse to participate in high risk processing.
Even if these merchants find a “high risk payment processor” they can still frequently deal with holds or freezes on their money and shut down merchant accounts. This is where Creditly saves the day by finding them a high risk merchant account provider that wants to work with their business and providing them with all the resources to meet their high risk credit card processing needs.
Creditly PROVIDES: MERCHANT ACCOUNTS
Creditly provides merchant accounts specifically tailored to a merchant’s industry. We do this by leveraging our banking relationships to apply for merchant accounts on your behalf.
However, we do not just apply for any merchant account, we use providers who want to work with your business model and underwrite their merchants. This is important because it lays out all the cards on the table and ensures that a provider gets to know who you are and your business model before working with you.
That way they know what to expect moving forward. This strategy guarantees that we find a merchant account provider that wants to work with you, making the likelihood of holds, freezes, and shutdowns, much less and providing stable credit card processing.
Another benefit to this are you get to avoid the nightmare that applying for merchant accounts can be. Not only do most merchant account providers do very little underwriting, but it can take many applications before you find a merchant account that is good for you.
Each application that you send out hurts your chances of getting approved for the next because multiple applications make you look desperate to a provider which they perceive as high risk.
AFTER YOUR MERCHANT ACCOUNT IS SET UP
After we get you set up with your first merchant account, we recommend getting you an additional merchant account if you have over $250,000 in sales volume a year. This is to ensure stable payment processing.
Even though Creditly takes all the precautions to prevent you from experiencing a hold, freeze, or shutdown, we can never know how banks might act in the future.
If they hire someone new or implement a new algorithm, your account could have action taken against it. In the event of this, if you have a second merchant account that is already up, and running and processing payments, you can pivot your revenue stream to this account and avoid holds, freezes, and shutdowns all together.
Now all of this may seem complicated and a lot of work, and it would be if you were doing this on your own. However, if you are working with Creditly, we manage all of this for you making your role in all of this very easy.
We even assign you your very own Certified Payment Specialist (CPS), who will monitor your merchant accounts for you, giving you one point of contact for all of your merchant processing needs.
HOW TO GET A MERCHANT ACCOUNT
The first step on your path to a new merchant account is to start with the Creditly application or if you would rather chat with someone to find out more, call us at (877) 307-7711*. We can get you set up in as little as 2 DAYS!
*Hint: This is easier cause we can fill out your application for you!
Choose the right Merchant Account for your business:
THE Creditly EXPERIENCE
At Creditly your journey will begin with your application which we use to collect information about you and your business to match you with the right merchant account provider. From there you will be connected with your very own New Client Specialist (NCS) who will help you complete this application and will be your contact to answer all of your questions.
Once we have the necessary information and have assessed your business model, you will be classified as a Gold, Platinum, or Diamond merchant based on your unique payment processing needs. After this, you will be introduced to your Certified Payment Specialist (CPS), who will be your one point of contact for all of your payment processing needs.
This ensures that when you call, you are talking to someone that you know and who knows you and your business. They will apply for merchant accounts on your behalf and help you set up your new merchant accounts and your online payment gateway.
After that, you will be ready to start accepting payments. Your CPS will monitor your accounts and keep in contact whenever you want to chat or if they need to alert you of something that requires your attention on top of annual merchant account reviews.
What Creditly Can Do For You...
We pride ourselves on making your life easier and facilitating the growth of business across the globe. We have been doing this successfully for years and have helped countless businesses achieve their full potential, just check out some of our testimonials. More importantly, Creditly would love to play it’s part in helping you achieve your goals and service your consumers smoothly. if you’re interested in working with us, you can start your EMAP application below or call us at: (877) 307-7711 | Get Set-up with a Merchant Account »
Adult Industry Credit Card Processing FAQs
Is it difficult to get approved for credit card processing in the adult industry?
Getting approved for credit card processing in the adult industry can be more challenging compared to more traditional businesses, as there are additional compliance requirements and higher risk for chargebacks. Adult merchants are often seen as high risk, and so obtaining an account with traditional providers may be harder, but there are specialized providers that serve the adult industry.
Are there additional fees associated with adult industry credit card processing?
Yes, there may be additional fees associated with adult industry credit card processing such as higher processing fees or higher monthly account fees to cover the additional risk associated with adult merchants.
Can adult industry merchants still accept credit card payments?
Yes, adult industry merchants can still accept credit card payments, but they will likely have to find a specialized provider that offers merchant services to high-risk businesses.
What types of adult businesses can get approved for credit card processing?
Adult industry merchants that can get approved for credit card processing include adult toy and novelties stores, adult video stores, adult websites, and any other business engaged in the sale of adult-oriented products or services.
Are there any specific regulations that adult industry merchants need to be aware of when processing credit card payments?
Yes, Adult industry merchants should be aware of laws and regulations in their state, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) compliance and laws governing the sale of adult products. Adult merchants should also be prepared to provide additional documentation and information to their merchant services provider as part of the application process.
TrUST CREDITLY
Merchant Accounts FAQ
If you want to know more about payments, pricing, or solutions to problems you are experiencing, we are always ready to help you.
What industries does Creditly work with?
Creditly offers high-risk payment processing, but we also work with mid-risk and low-risk companies.
Here is a short list of some business verticals we service:
- Antiques & Collectibles
- Apparel & Clothing
- Bad Credit
- Bus Lines
- Cannabis Support Businesses
- Caterers
- CBD Oil & CBD Products
- Continuity Products and Subscription Boxes
- Credit Repair
- Credit Monitoring
- Debt Collection
- Digital Streaming
- Document Preparation
- Fantasy Sports
- Firearms & Ammunition
- Furniture & Home Furnishings
- Health & Beauty
- Hotels & Lodging
- Insurance / Warranty
- Legal Services
- Magazine Subscriptions
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Medical Supplies
- Membership & Recurring Billing
- MLM Companies
- Transportation & Moving
- Non-Profit
- Nutraceuticals
- Pawnbrokers & Pawn Shops
- Pet Products
- Precious Metals
- Property Management
- SaaS Companies
- Seminars & Coaching
- SEO / SEM / Ad Agency
- Smoking Accessories
- Sports Betting
- Survivalist & Tactical Gear
- Telemedicine
- Tobacco & Cigar
- Travel & Timeshare
- Vape / e-Cig / eJuice
- Veterinarians
- Web Design & Development
Why is my business considered high risk?
“High Risk” is a banking industry term. It’s important to note that there are many business models that are seemingly low risk, but fall into the high risk category.
There is nothing wrong with being considered high risk and there are many factors that contribute to risk.
When a consumer buys an item with a credit card, they are given 6 months from the date of receiving the item to dispute the charge.
If your business is no longer operating, who do you think has to refund that money? The processor. This is where risk is created.
Certain businesses, marketing models, and industries have a higher rate of chargebacks, where they get labeled as high risk.
Even if your business is perfect, has never had a chargeback, and operates 100% “by the books”, you could be labeled high risk if you’re business or industry falls into a high risk category.
There are 3 main reasons a business can be considered high risk.
- The business has a greater chance of chargebacks occurring
- The business model may be new or legally regulated
- The business accepts a high number of card not present transactions (over the phone, email, eCommerce)
Do you provide merchant account services outside of the USA?
Creditly offers merchant account services for the USA, Canada and also offers EU merchant accounts.
Can my startup or new business be approved?
We have worked with many new brands and start-ups to get them approved and running. However, banks like to see a long history of transactions and an established history with a merchant before approving them.
But, that does not mean we can’t get you approved. Reach out to us today and we will walk you through your options.
How long does it take to get approved for a merchant account?
Once all of the necessary documents have been received, it typically takes 1-4 days to get approved.
Occasionally accounts can be approved in less than 24 hours, our team will work as quickly as possible to get your account up and running.
