Can Token of Trust help address payment issues for an electronic cigarette shopping website? What are the requirements in applying for an online merchant account?

Solutions/Options to Address Payment Issues:

  1. ID Verification by Token of Trust:
    • Token of Trust primarily focuses on identity verification, which can help reduce fraud and increase confidence in transactions.
    • This service verifies the age and identity of customers, ensuring they are legally allowed to purchase electronic cigarettes.Referral to Payment Processors:
    • Token of Trust is not a payment gateway but can refer you to payment processors.
    • Payment processors are essential for handling electronic transactions securely.

Requirements for Applying for an Online Merchant Account:

  1. Documentation:
    • Documentation requirements vary by payment processor.
    • Commonly required documents include:
      • Business registration documents
      • Tax identification number (EIN)
      • Business bank account information
      • Business owner's identification (passport, driver's license, etc.)
      • Business address verification (utility bills, lease agreement, etc.)U.S. Company Information:
    • Most payment processors require information about the U.S. company, including its legal structure, ownership details, and contact information.
    • The company should be registered in the United States.Tobacco Sales Permit:
    • Whether a U.S. tobacco sales permit is necessary depends on the regulations of the specific payment processor and the laws in the state where the business operates.
    • Electronic cigarette businesses may need to obtain a tobacco sales permit, as regulations often treat electronic cigarettes similarly to tobacco products.

Additional Considerations:

  • Compliance:
    • Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding the sale of electronic cigarettes and tobacco products.
    • Compliance with age verification laws is particularly crucial for businesses selling age-restricted products.Payment Processor Selection:
    • Choose a payment processor that specializes in high-risk industries or is comfortable with electronic cigarette sales.
    • Look for processors that offer fraud prevention tools and support age verification.Customer Experience:
    • Prioritize a seamless checkout experience for customers, including secure payment processing and efficient ID verification.
    • Smooth transactions enhance customer satisfaction and trust in your business.

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How do you setup identity or age verification so that only certain locations need to get verified?

Answer: Use Location-Based Identity Verification. This is enabled via the locationRestrictions.requiresVerification attribute in your application configuration to define which countries and regions require verification. Summary Token of Trust now supports location-based verification requirements through the locationRestrictions configuration. This feature allows you to specify which geographic locations (countries and regions)

By darrin