Shut down by Stripe? Get an account built for your business.
Stripe is quick to sign up for because you share its merchant account. The trade-off is that Stripe can review and close your account just as quickly, often with funds held. A dedicated merchant account in your own name, with an acquirer that accepts your industry, is the stable fix.
What to do now, in order
- 1
Read the closure email and your dashboard
Note the reason given, the date, and whether a balance is being held and for how long.
- 2
Export your data
Download transactions, customers and subscriptions. If you bill customers repeatedly, ask Stripe about exporting card data to your new processor so customers don’t have to re-enter cards.
- 3
Keep refunding and answering disputes
Resolving open issues cleanly helps your held balance come back sooner and gives your next underwriter a better story.
- 4
Talk to us before you apply anywhere
Applying to several providers at once, or under a new name, leaves a trail underwriters see. We match you to one acquirer that accepts your business and submit once.
- 5
Get a dedicated merchant account
An account in your own name, with an acquirer that knowingly accepts your industry, so the same shutdown doesn’t happen again.
Stripe compared with a dedicated merchant account
| Stripe | Dedicated account through PaymentHelp | |
|---|---|---|
| Whose account | The platform’s shared account | An account in your business’s name |
| Who decides | The platform’s risk team, quickly | An underwriter who reviewed your business first |
| Restricted industries | Often excluded outright | Placed with acquirers that accept them |
| Setup | Minutes | Days, with a full application |
| After a problem | Closure and a long hold is common | Warnings, and a path to fix it |
| After approval | Support queue | PaymentHelp consulting: one view, a named consultant |
Industries we place after a Stripe closure
After a Stripe closure
Will Stripe release my held funds?
Usually, after the period they set to cover refunds and disputes. Keep resolving disputes and refunds on the account while you wait.
Can I keep my website checkout?
Yes. Most carts and websites connect to a dedicated merchant account through a gateway. We’ll confirm compatibility before you apply.
Will a new account ask about the Stripe closure?
Yes, and you should tell them. Underwriters accept many merchants after a platform closure when the reason is explained and fixed. Hiding it is what gets applications declined.
Also closed by
Stripe is a trademark of its owner. PaymentHelp is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Stripe. This page describes a common situation in general terms; your platform’s own terms and messages govern your account.
Get paid again after Stripe
Tell us what happened. We’ll match you with an acquirer that accepts your business, and stay on the account after approval so it doesn’t happen twice.