Square is busting my chops...

[Moishebatchy]

I accepted a couple of large payments with Square, and now suddenly they're hitting me with their equivalent on an F/R. They want a bunch of information about me (more than a prospective shver, even), and if I don't give it, they won't let me deposit the money I received into my bank account - I will have to refund it to the customer(s), and collect payment from them a different way.

Among the info they want:

• Legal business name
• Government-issued documents: Tax return, business license, annual report or seller's license
• 3 most recent bank statements

Problem is... I'm not, technically, a "legal business". I mean, I guess I can write "Moishebatchy Consulting" as my legal business name or something... but what do I do for "government-issued documents"? I don't have any of the items mentioned. And as for bank statements - well, I have my own personal checking account(s), but no business account.

And the worst part is, I can't even speak to anyone. From their useless "Help Center":

I want to speak with someone on the phone. What number can I call to reach an Account Services representative?

At this time, Square does not offer phone support. The best way to ensure a speedy resolution is to fill out the form provided to the best of your ability.

What do I do now?!

[bubbles]

I just got this too 

I only have ten bucks in there though so not a big deal. How much of your money are they holding on to?

[hocker]

Did you try bashing them on Twitter? Both of you together can start a campaign. I'm sure other DDF members would be glad to tweet as weel to help you including me.


If you would like to take me up on my offer, PM the text for the tweet. (Max 140 characters.)

[Side incomer]

Got this 3 months ago. I have sitting there $5K.
Although I can provide all those, I just haven't gotten to this so far. I wonder what will happen if nothing is provided, will they eventually release the money or keep it for years?

[PlatinumGuy]

They will release it after 6 months, or if closing the account refund the cc immediately. AFAIK federal banking laws prohibit them from holding peoples money for more than 180 days

[Drago]

Sorry to hear that Moishe...

[Red]

They will release it after 6 months, or if closing the account refund the cc immediately. AFAIK federal banking laws prohibit them from holding peoples money for more than 180 days

Would this apply to AP too? I have an account with ~$700 stuck in it.

[Name Changed]

They will release it after 6 months, or if closing the account refund the cc immediately. AFAIK federal banking laws prohibit them from holding peoples money for more than 180 days

They only hold the funds for 90 days.

I got this after keying in a 12k CC Charge

I sent in all the info they wanted, but they responded to me:

Hello Name Changed,

Our Account Services team has concluded a review of your account and has determined it to be high risk. For security purposes, we have elected to deactivate your Square account. From the date of this letter forward, you will not be able to process transactions using Square.

To learn more about Square's Merchant User Agreement and terminations, please visit: Merchant User Agreement.

Any funds currently in your account will be held for 90 days before being released to your linked bank account.

If you do not want to wait 90 days to receive these funds, you may consider refunding the payments back to the original cards and seeking an alternate form of payment. Please note that we refund all the fees too.

If you are unsure how to refund a payment, please see: How to refund a payment. The payments and fees will be credited back the original payment card within 2-7 business days.

For security reasons, we cannot divulge the reason for your account termination. We apologize for the inconvenience, but our decision is final.

Thank you for understanding.

Sincerely,

Square Account Services

So yea, I had over 12k sitting there. I was able to refund my customer and work out payment a different way, but it was a PITA

[PlatinumGuy]

Wow.


However,

Hello,

Our Risk Department has concluded an investigation into your usage and has labeled your account as high-risk. For security reasons, we have elected to de-activate your account.

We are exercising our discretion under paragraph 42 of the Square User Agreement to terminate your account. From the date of this letter forward, you will not be able to process transactions using Square.

Any funds currently in your account will be held for 180 days before being released.

If you do not want to wait 180 days to receive funds, you can still refund the payments back to the original cards. If you are unsure of how to refund a payment, please see: https://help.squareup.com/customer/portal/articles/163698#online

I apologize for the inconvenience, but our decision is final.

Thanks,


Anders B.
Square Risk​
help.squareup.com

[Side incomer]

Mine is there for over 180 days, still not released. However I haven't sent in the documents yet.

[myb821]

Mine is there for over 180 days, still not released. However I haven't sent in the documents yet.

no rush?

[Name Changed]

Mine is there for over 180 days, still not released. However I haven't sent in the documents yet.

Wow!

I think they are worst than Paypal

What annoys me is:
For security reasons, we cannot divulge the reason for your account termination. We apologize for the inconvenience, but our decision is final.

No appeals or any option to rationalize

[Side incomer]

no rush?

No

1. they won't approve me anyhow after sending in all info, since I am registered as a travel business, which is high risk.
2. they will eventually release the money, it's just a matter of time.
3. not looking to invest that $5K instantly somewhere.

= No rush

[Yeki89]

Did you try bashing them on Twitter? Both of you together can start a campaign. I'm sure other DDF members would be glad to tweet as weel to help you including me.


If you would like to take me up on my offer, PM the text for the tweet. (Max 140 characters.)

twitter + square = same owner

[thaber]

I went through this, was able to provide all documents, and they released the funds a week or two later. Email was the only effective communication, I don't recall if I tried twitter.

[Name Changed]

I went through this, was able to provide all documents, and they released the funds a week or two later. Email was the only effective communication, I don't recall if I tried twitter.

Did they let you keep your account open?

[sky121]

OT a bit

 I can't remember my Square password and when I request an email to reset it, it never comes. Checked my spam, checked everywhere.

And I can't figure out how to get a hold of them besides email.

Any ideas besides waiting for an email response?

[elikay]

twitter + square = same owner

Same founder.

[thaber]

 

Did they let you keep your account open?

yes, it just threw them for a loop that I was doing too much too fast.
I even have extra readers if anyone wants 

[Name Changed]

yes, it just threw them for a loop that I was doing too much too fast.
I even have extra readers if anyone wants 

Lucky you.

Just curious - how much were you doing?

From what it seems to me, doing big transactions is asking to be shut down.