1. Purpose
This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") outlines the types of activities that are prohibited when using PebblePay's payment processing services. This policy is designed to protect PebblePay, our users, and the integrity of the payment ecosystem.
2. Prohibited Businesses and Activities
The following categories of businesses and activities are prohibited from using PebblePay:
Illegal Activities
- Any activity that violates local, state, national, or international law
- Sale of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia
- Sale of stolen goods or goods with unauthorized trademarks
- Human trafficking or exploitation
- Terrorism financing
- Money laundering
Regulated Industries (Without Proper Licensing)
- Gambling, gaming, or lottery services
- Cannabis or CBD products (varies by jurisdiction)
- Alcohol, tobacco, or e-cigarettes
- Firearms, weapons, or ammunition
- Pharmaceuticals or prescription medications
- Financial services without proper licensing
High-Risk and Prohibited Content
- Adult content, pornography, or escort services
- Dating services with adult content
- Hate speech, extremist content, or violence-promoting materials
- Counterfeit goods or trademark-infringing products
- Pirated software, media, or intellectual property
Fraudulent Schemes
- Ponzi schemes or pyramid schemes
- Multi-level marketing with emphasis on recruitment
- Get-rich-quick schemes
- Fake or misleading products/services
- Advance-fee fraud
- Identity theft or phishing operations
Cryptocurrency and Financial Products
- Cryptocurrency exchanges or trading platforms
- ICOs, token sales, or NFT minting
- Binary options or forex trading
- Unlicensed investment advisory services
- Debt collection or credit repair without licensing
Other Prohibited Activities
- Negative option or free trial abuse
- Telemarketing or outbound calling services
- Timeshares or vacation clubs
- Extended warranties or service contracts (high-risk)
- Bail bonds
- Psychic or fortune-telling services
- Unlicensed legal services
3. Technical and Integration Requirements
Required Practices
- Use only approved PebblePay integration methods (redirect, popup, or iframe)
- Never collect card data directly on your own website or servers
- Display accurate product descriptions and pricing
- Provide clear refund and return policies
- Maintain a secure website with valid SSL certificate
- Respond promptly to customer inquiries and disputes
Prohibited Technical Practices
- Building custom card input forms that submit data to PebblePay APIs
- Attempting to intercept or store full card numbers
- Using PebblePay for testing with real card data
- Automated or scripted transactions without approval
- Circumventing fraud prevention or rate limiting measures
- Sharing API keys or allowing unauthorized access
4. Transaction Requirements
- All transactions must be for legitimate goods or services
- Transaction amounts must accurately reflect the purchase price
- Customers must explicitly consent to the transaction
- Recurring charges must have clear authorization and cancellation options
- Pre-authorizations must only capture the amount authorized
- Refunds must be processed to the original payment method
5. Chargeback and Fraud Thresholds
PebblePay monitors chargeback and fraud rates. Accounts may be reviewed, restricted, or terminated if they exceed:
- Chargeback ratio exceeding 1% of transactions
- Fraud ratio exceeding 0.5% of transactions
- Excessive customer complaints or disputes
- Patterns indicating potential fraud or abuse
6. Reporting Violations
If you believe a PebblePay user is violating this policy, please report it to compliance@pebblepay.io
7. Enforcement
Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy may result in:
- Warning and request to cease the prohibited activity
- Temporary suspension of payment processing
- Permanent termination of your PebblePay account
- Withholding of funds to cover potential chargebacks or fines
- Reporting to law enforcement or regulatory authorities
- Legal action for damages
PebblePay reserves the right to make enforcement decisions at its sole discretion.
8. Requesting an Exception
If your business falls into a restricted category but you believe you should be allowed to use PebblePay, you may request an exception by contacting us with:
- Detailed description of your business
- Relevant licenses or permits
- Compliance measures you have in place
- Expected transaction volumes and average ticket size
Contact: compliance@pebblepay.io
9. Updates to This Policy
PebblePay may update this Acceptable Use Policy at any time. We will notify you of material changes via email or through the dashboard. Continued use of our services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.