Adult businesses often face challenges when establishing a merchant account due to the adult industry being perceived as high-risk by most banks. This perception is largely due to the higher incidence of chargebacks and fraud in transactions associated with these businesses. Banks in the high-risk sector are vigilant in monitoring adult merchant accounts to ensure compliance with card association guidelines, as any violations can be costly and harmful to the bank. Therefore, businesses in the adult industry require the services of a high-risk payment processor.

Paywise Solutions specializes in providing credit card processing services for adult merchants, whether they operate e-commerce or retail-based adult businesses. By submitting a brief application and a few supporting documents, these businesses can quickly set up an adult merchant service. Once approved, merchants gain access to an adult payment gateway, enabling both online and manual payment processing. This allows adult merchants to accept all major credit cards and receive prompt payouts directly into their business bank accounts.

What is an Adult Merchant Account?

An adult merchant account is a banking service utilized by merchants in the adult industry to accept payments via credit card or check, either online or in person. These accounts operate similarly to other types of payment processing but are underwritten with the understanding that the businesses using them are not what traditional banks typically encounter.

How an Adult Merchant Account Works?

Adult merchant accounts function using the same systems as other merchant accounts, regardless of the banks or payment processors involved. When a customer inputs their card information into a payment gateway or swipes it at a terminal, the merchant’s bank sends the information through the payment card network to the customer’s bank, which then approves or denies the transaction.

How to Open an Adult Merchant Account?

The process for applying for a payment processing account generally requires similar information across different account types. After application submission, bank underwriters review the application and request supporting documents. These documents can include ID, banking information, and occasionally business information, along with other documents demonstrating the business’s health and the merchant’s financial needs.

Required documents typically include:

• Copy of ID
• Voided Check
• Recent Processing Statements (depending on business size)
• Recent Bank Statements (depending on business size)
• Corporate Documents (varies by bank)

Common Types of Adult Merchant Accounts

The adult industry, expanding alongside the e-commerce industry, includes various types of businesses, many of which are not subscription services. The industry’s scope is broad, encompassing adult toys, novelties, dating services, streaming video, and online photo galleries.

Having adult products credit card processing from the outset can prevent future issues with banks and processors. Many payment processors lack the capability to set up adult industry businesses properly, leading to accounts that are likely to be shut down. This can be detrimental to businesses, either through extended holds on funds or association with fraudulent applications. Paywise Solutions’ banking network allows us to work with high-risk companies, including adult merchants, offering various payment options regardless of the business’s location or type.

Adult Credit Card Processing

Credit card processing is the most popular payment method for customers and is highly sought after by merchants. Paywise Solutions provides access to major credit cards, ensuring transaction and deposit safety and security.

Common payment service options for credit cards include:

• Online Payment Gateway
• Storefront Credit Card Terminal
• Mobile Application Support

With Paywise Solutions, businesses can set up adult merchant accounts using any of these methods. Our software and hardware solutions offer complete flexibility in accepting payments.

Other Types of Merchant Services for Adult Businesses

Paywise Solutions offers a variety of payment options, including the latest products for non-credit card payments like check processing and crypto payments. These methods have been growing in popularity as consumers become more familiar with their operation.

These solutions not only provide an alternative payment method but also offer lower costs and the same or faster settlements than credit cards.

Payment Gateway for Adult Merchants

The Paywise Solutions payment gateway boasts an industry-leading uptime, providing clients with the reliability needed to operate their business merchant accounts without concern. Businesses generally see an increase in ordering and payment acceptance rates with our high-risk gateway.

Transactions processed online through the gateway or by the merchant via the virtual terminal receive quick approvals, eliminating long delays or timed-out transactions. This significantly benefits customers seeking immediate checkouts with minimal friction.

Helping Reduce Fraud for Adult Merchants

Fraud is a concern for all online businesses, not just adult merchant accounts. Our team has partnered with leading e-commerce companies to provide in-depth fraud prevention tools to reduce and nearly eliminate all types of online fraud, especially chargeback fraud.

Merchants can customize all aspects of their fraud prevention tools to find the best fit for their business. A one-size-fits-all fraud prevention program is less effective when lumping businesses together across multiple industries with different types of chargeback or fraud risks.

Businesses can automatically block transactions based on geographic location, number of attempts, and cards used to reduce chargeback risk. Finding the best solution that works for your business is key to maximizing revenues.

Finding the Best Adult Payment Processors

Wondering which credit card companies work with the adult industry? Paywise Solutions strives to provide adult industry payment processing services at the lowest prices. Once an adult industry merchant is approved through Paywise Solutions, merchant credentials and account logins are created and sent to the business. Merchants and their technical support teams can then begin configuring settings. If merchants ever have questions or problems, our staff is available to assist with everything from merchant account management to fraud protection tips.

An adult merchant account needs to be reliable and stable to support business growth. Our support department assists business owners with every phase, from application to integration, while supporting your credit card processing and payment processing afterward. The support team responds to all inquiries quickly to ensure your business receives the help it needs from its payment processor.

Apply for an Adult Business Merchant Account Today!

Our team has built a network of banks specializing in high-risk adult merchant accounts. With several banking options, adult industry businesses can be confident of quick approval and hassle-free setup. Normal approval takes 3-5 days and requires only a simple application package for most merchants. High-risk businesses choosing to work with Paywise Solutions will benefit from one of the fastest setup processes and one of the quickest payout schedules in the industry. Contact our office today to speak with an adult merchant account executive.