Help! Square Shut My Account Down – What Do I Do?
Help! Square Shut My Account Down – What Do I Do?
If Square suddenly shut down your merchant account, you’re not alone. Here’s what it means, why it happens, and how to get back up and running — fast.
Why Square Closed Your Account
- High chargebacks or refund ratios: Too many disputes or chargebacks can trigger an auto-ban.
- Prohibited products or services: Square bans many high-risk verticals including CBD, kratom, hemp, vapes, adult, and more.
- Unusual activity: Sudden spikes in volume, location changes, or login alerts can flag your account.
- Violation of Square’s terms: If you’re using Square to sell restricted items — even by mistake — they can close your account with no warning.
What Happens When Square Shuts You Down
- Your account is locked instantly — no new payments, no access.
- You may not be able to refund customers or dispute chargebacks.
- Your funds may be held for up to 90–180 days, especially if Square suspects fraud or disputes.
- You may get a vague email citing a “violation of terms” with no option to appeal.
What to Do Next
- Download all transaction data: Export your reports before full access is cut off.
- Check your email: Look for Square’s official termination notice. It may include hold timelines.
- Don’t reapply under a new name: This can lead to permanent blacklisting across Square and Cash App.
- Secure a high-risk-friendly payment processor: If Square shut you down, you likely need a merchant account that accepts your industry.
Need a Stable Alternative?
If you’ve been shut down by Square, Stripe, or PayPal, High Wire Payments can help. We offer:
- Real merchant accounts (not aggregators)
- Fast approvals — even for high-risk products
- No contracts, transparent pricing
- Same-day setup available