Question 1

What is Network Offset Pricing?

Accepted Answer

Network Offset Pricing is PaySec's transparent pricing model that passes through network and interchange costs at wholesale rates, then adds a small fixed margin. Unlike tiered or flat-rate pricing, you always see exactly what you're paying for — and merchants typically save 30–60% compared to published flat-rate processor pricing. Actual savings depend on volume, card mix, and transaction size.

Question 2

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No. We don't charge PCI compliance fees, monthly minimums, statement fees, or batch fees. Your pricing is interchange + our margin. That's it. Every fee is disclosed upfront in your merchant agreement.

Question 3

How does PaySec compare to Stripe's pricing?

Accepted Answer

Stripe charges a flat 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction regardless of card type (as of 2024). PaySec's Network Offset Pricing passes through actual interchange rates (typically 1.5–2.1% for consumer cards) plus a small margin, resulting in significant savings — especially for businesses with average transaction sizes above $50.

Question 4

Is there a contract or cancellation fee?

Accepted Answer

No contracts. No cancellation fees. PaySec operates month-to-month. If you're not satisfied, you can leave at any time with zero penalties. We earn your business every month.

Question 5

What does 'dedicated merchant account' mean?

Accepted Answer

Unlike aggregators (Stripe, Square, PayPal) that pool your funds with other merchants, a dedicated merchant account is yours alone. This means lower risk of account freezes, better dispute handling, higher processing limits, and the ability to negotiate rates as your volume grows.

Question 6

Is PaySec more expensive than Stripe for small businesses?

Accepted Answer

For businesses processing under $10K/month, PaySec and Stripe costs are comparable. Above $25K/month, PaySec is almost always cheaper due to interchange passthrough pricing. We'll run a free cost comparison on your current statements.

Question 7

Why don't more companies use interchange-plus pricing?

Accepted Answer

Many don't know it exists — flat-rate pricing is simpler to understand, so aggregators market it heavily. But simplicity has a cost: you pay the same rate for a debit card (interchange ~0.05%) as a premium rewards card (interchange ~2.4%). Interchange-plus lets you benefit from the lower rates.

Question 8

Is there a monthly fee with PaySec?

Accepted Answer

PaySec charges a small monthly account fee that covers your dedicated merchant account, chargeback alerts, PCI compliance support, and named account manager. Despite this fee, the savings from interchange-plus pricing far exceed the monthly cost for businesses processing $15K+/month.

Question 9

How does PaySec help merchants reduce processing fees?

Accepted Answer

Three ways: (1) Network Offset Pricing eliminates hidden markup by passing through wholesale interchange, (2) Visa Commercial Enhanced Data (CEDP) optimization can reduce qualifying B2B rates by up to 40%, and (3) our dedicated merchant account model avoids the aggregator fees that platforms like Stripe charge.

Question 10

How long does PaySec take to deposit my funds?

Accepted Answer

PaySec deposits funds to your bank account the next business day — included at no extra charge.

Question 11

How fast can I get approved?

Accepted Answer

Most standard-risk merchants are approved within 48 hours. High-risk verticals may take 3–5 business days depending on underwriting requirements.

Question 12

Can I migrate from Stripe to PaySec without disrupting my customers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide a migration toolkit that imports your customer tokens and subscription data. Your customers don't need to re-enter card details. Most migrations complete in 2–4 weeks.

Question 13

Can I migrate from Square to PaySec without losing my customer data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec's migration team helps transfer your customer payment tokens, recurring billing profiles, and transaction history. Your customers won't need to re-enter card details. Most migrations complete in 2–3 weeks.

Question 14

What happens to my Stripe subscriptions during migration?

Accepted Answer

PaySec's migration toolkit imports your active subscription profiles, including billing cycles, amounts, and stored payment methods. Subscriptions continue uninterrupted — customers are never asked to re-enter card details or re-authorize charges.

Question 15

What does the onboarding process look like?

Accepted Answer

After approval, a dedicated onboarding specialist handles terminal setup, system integration, and staff training. Most merchants are fully live within 5–7 business days of application.

Question 16

Can I still offer PayPal as a payment option if I switch to PaySec?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many merchants use PaySec as their primary processor and offer PayPal as an alternative payment method at checkout. You get the cost savings of interchange-plus pricing on card transactions while still capturing customers who prefer PayPal.

Question 17

What if my business grows rapidly?

Accepted Answer

Unlike aggregator processors that flag or freeze accounts during volume spikes, PaySec's dedicated merchant accounts are underwritten for growth. If you're expecting a significant volume increase, notify your account manager in advance and we'll ensure your processing limits are appropriate.

Question 18

What happens if Square freezes my account?

Accepted Answer

Square uses algorithmic risk screening that can freeze accounts without warning. With PaySec, your dedicated merchant account is properly underwritten upfront, so there are no surprise freezes.

Question 19

How do I integrate PaySec with my online store?

Accepted Answer

For Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce, install our pre-built plugin — setup takes 10–15 minutes. For custom builds, our RESTful API with SDKs (Node.js, Python, PHP, Ruby, Go) provides full control.

Question 20

Can I use PaySec with Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec offers plugins and integrations for major e-commerce platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, and others. Installation is typically a few clicks — no custom development required.

Question 21

How does PaySec handle PCI compliance?

Accepted Answer

PaySec is a PCI DSS Level 1 certified processor. We offer a hosted payment page and tokenization API that keeps card data off your servers. Merchants using our hosted solution can typically qualify for the shortest PCI SAQ (SAQ A).

Question 22

Do I need to be PCI compliant?

Accepted Answer

If you use our hosted checkout pages or iFrame integration, you qualify for the simplest PCI compliance level (SAQ A). Card data never touches your servers, so your PCI burden is minimal.

Question 23

How does PaySec prevent eCommerce fraud?

Accepted Answer

Our AI fraud engine analyzes 100+ signals per transaction: IP geolocation, device fingerprint, purchase velocity, AVS/CVV results, behavioral patterns, and cross-merchant intelligence. We also support 3D Secure 2.0 for liability shift.

Question 24

How does PaySec handle disputes and chargebacks?

Accepted Answer

PaySec provides proactive chargeback alerts via Ethoca and Verifi that catch disputes before they become chargebacks. When chargebacks do occur, our representment support team helps you build a strong case with the issuing bank.

Question 25

Is my money safer with PaySec than PayPal?

Accepted Answer

With PayPal, your funds sit in PayPal's ecosystem and can be held or frozen at PayPal's discretion. With PaySec, you have a dedicated merchant account — funds are deposited directly to your business bank account the next business day.

Question 26

Is PaySec HIPAA compliant?

Accepted Answer

PaySec's processing environment supports HIPAA compliance requirements. We use point-to-point encryption (P2PE) and tokenization to ensure that cardholder data and any associated protected health information are never exposed. We also sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with healthcare clients.

Question 27

Can I store customer cards on file for recurring charges?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec's tokenization system securely stores payment methods so you can charge cards on file for recurring charges. Tokens replace actual card numbers, so no sensitive data is stored in your systems.

Question 28

Does PaySec support international transactions and multi-currency?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec supports transactions in 130+ currencies with competitive foreign exchange rates. International interchange rates are passed through at cost, and cross-border fees are transparently itemized.

Question 29

How does the card updater reduce subscription churn?

Accepted Answer

When a customer's card is reissued, Visa and Mastercard's updater services push the new card details to us automatically. We update your stored token, so the next subscription charge succeeds without customer action. This typically recovers 2-5% of otherwise-churned revenue.

Question 30

What reporting and analytics are available?

Accepted Answer

The PaySec dashboard provides real-time transaction reporting, payment success rates, decline reason analysis, checkout funnel metrics, fraud screening accuracy, and chargeback tracking. Data is available through the dashboard UI, CSV exports, and our reporting API.

Question 31

Does PaySec have an API like Stripe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our RESTful API provides similar functionality — tokenization, charges, subscriptions, refunds, webhooks — with SDKs for Node.js, Python, PHP, Ruby, and Go. Developers familiar with Stripe find the transition straightforward.

Question 32

How does subscription billing work?

Accepted Answer

PaySec's recurring billing engine handles the full subscription lifecycle: initial charge, recurring charges on configurable schedules, plan changes with proration, upgrades, downgrades, pauses, and cancellations.

Question 33

Does PaySec support both in-person and online payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec provides a full omnichannel solution — in-person terminals, online gateway, mobile payments, and virtual terminal — all on the same interchange-plus pricing with consolidated reporting.

Question 34

What POS systems work with PaySec?

Accepted Answer

PaySec integrates with a wide range of POS systems including Clover, Lightspeed, Revel, TouchBistro, Heartland, and others. We help you find the best POS for your specific business type and pair it with interchange-plus pricing.

Question 35

What terminals work for my business?

Accepted Answer

We provide countertop terminals with contactless (NFC) support, mobile card readers for on-the-go payments, and self-service kiosks for high-volume environments. All terminals are P2PE-certified.

Question 36

How fast are PaySec terminals during rush hours?

Accepted Answer

PaySec terminals process transactions in under 2 seconds on average. Our infrastructure is designed for high-throughput environments. If WiFi drops, offline mode keeps transactions flowing.

Question 37

Does PaySec support invoicing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec offers a virtual terminal and invoicing tools that let you send branded payment links and invoices to clients. Payments are processed at interchange-plus rates.

Question 38

How does PaySec handle multiple locations?

Accepted Answer

PaySec supports multi-location processing under a single master account with consolidated reporting, per-location settlement, and centralized management.

Question 39

How does PaySec integrate with practice management systems?

Accepted Answer

PaySec integrates with major practice management systems including Athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, NextGen, DrChrono, and Kareo. Integration enables automatic payment posting, real-time reconciliation, and patient ledger updates.

Question 40

Does PaySec work for marketplace or platform businesses?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec supports split payments and multi-party payouts for marketplace and platform models. Contact our sales team for marketplace-specific pricing and integration details.

Question 41

Do you support high-risk industries?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We specialize in high-risk verticals including CBD/hemp, nutraceuticals, adult entertainment, firearms, travel, and more. Our underwriting team has deep experience with industries that traditional processors decline.

Question 42

How does tip handling work with PaySec terminals?

Accepted Answer

Our terminals support pre-set tip percentages (15%, 20%, 25%), custom tip amounts, and no-tip options. Tips are automatically adjusted at batch close. Tip data integrates directly with payroll exports.

Question 43

Can I use one account for dine-in, takeout, and delivery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A single PaySec merchant account handles in-store terminal transactions, online ordering payments, phone orders, and catering invoices — all with unified reporting and one daily deposit.

Question 44

Do you integrate with restaurant POS systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec integrates with major restaurant POS systems including Toast, Square for Restaurants, Clover Dining, Revel, TouchBistro, and Lightspeed Restaurant.

Question 45

Do you support food truck and mobile operations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our mobile card readers work over cellular (4G/5G) or WiFi and include offline queuing for events with unreliable connectivity. Battery life supports a full event day (12+ hours).

Question 46

Can patients pay medical bills online?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec provides secure hosted payment pages that you can link from patient statements, emails, and SMS messages. Patients can pay full balances or set up installment plans directly from the payment page.

Question 47

Do you support payment plans for large procedures?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our recurring billing engine supports installment plans with automated charges, retry logic, and patient notifications. Plans can be modified or cancelled at any time from your dashboard.

Question 48

Is CBD payment processing legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% THC at the federal level. PaySec works with acquiring banks that have established CBD-friendly programs.

Question 49

Will my CBD merchant account get shut down?

Accepted Answer

PaySec's CBD accounts are underwritten by banks with established hemp programs — not aggregators who may change their policies. As long as your products remain compliant (hemp-derived, <0.3% THC, no health claims), your account remains stable.

Question 50

How does PaySec compare to Stripe for SaaS?

Accepted Answer

PaySec provides the same developer experience — RESTful API, webhooks, hosted payment fields, subscription management — with Network Offset Pricing instead of flat-rate. At scale (>$50K/month), SaaS companies typically save 30–60% on processing costs.

Question 51

Can PaySec handle high-volume seasonal spikes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PaySec's dedicated merchant accounts are underwritten for your business profile, including expected seasonal peaks. Your account manager proactively monitors your processing during peak periods.

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