Background
Compliance

Prohibited & Restricted Businesses

Certain business types are prohibited or restricted from using Chargezen services to protect our platform, customers, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

Last Updated: January 4, 2026

Important Notice

If your business falls into a prohibited category, you may not use Chargezen services. If your business falls into a restricted category, you must obtain pre-approval before using our services. Operating a prohibited business or failing to obtain required approval may result in immediate account termination without refund.

Prohibited Business Categories

The following business types are strictly prohibited from using Chargezen services.

Illegal Products & Services

  • Illegal drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia
  • Unlicensed pharmaceutical sales
  • Counterfeit or stolen goods
  • Illegal weapons, explosives, or ammunition
  • Human trafficking or exploitation
  • Products or services that violate intellectual property rights
  • Any product or service illegal under applicable law

Adult Content & Services

  • Pornography or sexually explicit content
  • Escort services or prostitution
  • Adult entertainment venues
  • Sexual aids or toys (without age verification)
  • Dating services facilitating adult content
  • Child exploitation material (immediate law enforcement referral)

Financial Fraud & Schemes

  • Pyramid or Ponzi schemes
  • Multi-level marketing scams
  • Get-rich-quick schemes
  • Fake investment opportunities
  • Credit repair scams
  • Debt collection harassment services
  • Money laundering operations
  • Unauthorized money transmission

Gambling & Gaming

  • Unlicensed online gambling or casinos
  • Sports betting (without proper licensing)
  • Fantasy sports with cash prizes (in restricted jurisdictions)
  • Lottery ticket sales (unlicensed)
  • Gambling-related software or tools

Weapons & Violence

  • Firearms and ammunition sales
  • Weapons parts, modifications, or accessories
  • Explosives or fireworks
  • Knives designed for combat
  • Services promoting violence or terrorism
  • Content inciting violence against individuals or groups

Deceptive Practices

  • Fake news or misinformation services
  • Fake reviews or testimonials
  • Astroturfing or fake grassroots campaigns
  • Counterfeit documents or IDs
  • Phishing or social engineering services
  • Click fraud or ad fraud services
  • Fake followers or engagement services

Restricted Business Categories

These businesses may use Chargezen services with pre-approval and compliance with specific requirements.

CBD & Hemp Products

Pre-Approval Required
Products must comply with 2018 Farm Bill (< 0.3% THC)
No health claims without FDA approval
Age verification required (21+)
State-by-state compliance review required
Lab testing certificates must be available

Cryptocurrency & NFTs

Pre-Approval Required
Must comply with FinCEN and state money transmitter laws
No unregistered securities
Clear disclosures about volatility and risks
AML/KYC procedures required
No anonymous transactions

Tobacco & Vaping

Pre-Approval Required
Age verification required (21+)
PACT Act compliance for shipping
State excise tax compliance
No sales to prohibited states
Health warning requirements

Alcohol

Pre-Approval Required
Valid liquor license required
Age verification required (21+)
Compliance with state shipping laws
Three-tier distribution compliance
No sales to dry counties/states

Financial Services

Pre-Approval Required
Appropriate state/federal licenses
CFPB compliance for consumer lending
Clear APR and fee disclosures
No predatory lending practices
Debt collection must follow FDCPA

Healthcare & Supplements

Pre-Approval Required
No unapproved drug claims
FDA compliance for supplements
Proper labeling and warnings
HIPAA compliance if handling PHI
Telehealth must comply with state laws

Travel & Timeshares

Enhanced Monitoring
Clear cancellation and refund policies
No deceptive pricing practices
Compliance with FTC Travel Rule
Timeshare resale fraud prevention
Proper licensing in applicable states

Subscription Services

Standard with Requirements
Clear disclosure of recurring charges
Easy cancellation process (ROSCA compliance)
No negative option marketing without consent
Renewal reminders before auto-charge
Comply with state auto-renewal laws (CA, NY, etc.)

Request Pre-Approval

If your business operates in a restricted category, you must submit a pre-approval request before signing up or activating services. Include:

  • Detailed business description and website URL
  • Applicable licenses and certifications
  • Compliance procedures documentation
  • Age verification system details (if applicable)
  • Previous payment processor history
Submit Pre-Approval Request

Enforcement

Chargezen actively monitors accounts for prohibited activities. Violations may result in:

⚠️

Warning

First violation, 48-hour cure period

⏸️

Suspension

Repeated violations, 7-30 day hold

🚫

Termination

Severe violations, no refund

Questions About Your Business?

If you're unsure whether your business is permitted, contact our compliance team before signing up.

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