Help, Stripe refunded ALL MY ORDERS! What do I do?
Jul 19, 2024 3 minutes
If you’re reading this, you may be in crisis mode right now. Out of nowhere, Stripe has suddenly refunded every single order processed through your account. Countless orders that you’ve already shipped are now unpaid for, putting your business in financial jeopardy.
AVOID STRIPE ACCOUNT CLOSURES PERMANENTLY
The Problem: Stripe Unexpectedly Refunded All Orders
Here’s what likely happened: Stripe received an unusually high number of disputes on your account’s transactions. Their system flagged this as potential fraud and pulled the emergency brake – refunding all orders en masse, debit, credit, or any other payment method, to avoid further financial liability.
For Stripe it’s a protective measure, but for you it’s a disaster. Your cash flow has evaporated and your ability to process payments is gone. You’re left with a mountain of uncompensated product orders and no way to accept new transactions.
This can happen with little to no warning, leaving you reeling. But you need to act fast to get your business back up and running. Every minute counts. Keep reading for the urgent steps you must take right now to start recovering from this crisis.
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM THE UNEXPECTED
Two-Step Immediate Solution
When Stripe pulls the rug out from under you by refunding all your orders, you need to act immediately to get your payment processing back online. Every second you wait is more money down the drain.
Here’s your two-step action plan:
1. Get a new payment processor ASAP
You can’t afford to wait around. Open a temporary payment processing account with PayPal or Square right now to give your business a lifeline.
Don’t stop there – this is just a band-aid. While that temporary account is active, immediately submit applications for dedicated merchant accounts. This is critical for your long-term survival.
2. Collect evidence to send to Stripe
Don’t go down without a fight. Gather all your records that prove you’re running a legitimate business.
Dig up real orders, payment details and receipts, delivery confirmations, and customer information from your CRM. Organize it into a clear, compelling case that you’re not a fraudster.
Take this evidence package and send it to Stripe, demanding that they review your account and restore your processing. Don’t wait – build your case and send it off ASAP.
Send this in two ways: physical mail that’s tracked and requires a signature upon delivery, and digitally to [email protected]. Stripe support is notoriously slow and may not even respond for 5-10 business days, leaving your business in shambles.
The clock is ticking and your business is bleeding out. Taking swift and decisive action on these two fronts is the only way to stop the hemorrhaging and start the healing. Get that temporary account open, get your dedicated merchant applications filed, build your case, and fight to overturn Stripe’s decision.
You’ve got to be relentless if you want to save your business.
DON’T LET STRIPE RUIN YOUR BUSINESS
Why Is Stripe Refunding All My Orders?
If you’re watching helplessly as Stripe refunds every single one of your orders, you’re probably wondering why this is happening to you in the first place. The answer likely lies in an excessive number of disputes on your account.
When Stripe suddenly sees a spike in disputes, alarm bells start ringing. Their system automatically flags this as a sign of potential fraud. Stripe’s response is swift and merciless – they’ll issue a full refund payment for all transactions on your account as a precautionary measure.
From Stripe’s perspective, this is a necessary step to protect themselves from financial liability. A high dispute rate suggests that many end customers are not satisfied with their purchases, and Stripe doesn’t want to be on the hook for those funds.
But for you, a legitimate business owner, this heavy-handed approach can spell disaster. You’ve already shipped orders and incurred expenses, but now you’re left empty-handed as Stripe claws back the money. It’s a financial gut punch that can disrupt your operations and cash flow.
The frustrating part is that Stripe’s system can’t distinguish between true fraud and a temporary spike in disputes. Even if all your orders are legitimate, an automated risk assessment can still trigger a mass refund, leaving you blindsided.
Many times, you are actually charged more than expected. The original charge amount is refunded to the customer’s bank account but then you, as the merchant, are faced with refund fees.
As you’re reeling from the fallout, it’s important to understand that this is Stripe’s way of managing their own risk exposure. But that doesn’t make it any less devastating for the businesses caught in the crossfire. If you’re facing this crisis right now, know that you’re not alone – and there are steps you can take to fight back and recover.
STRIPE DOESN’T SUPPORT YOU, WE DO
Why Stripe Doesn’t Support Certain Businesses
If you’re in a high-risk industry, pay close attention because Stripe’s lack of support could be the ticking time bomb that blows up your business.
Stripe is what’s known as a payment aggregator. They offer instant setup and onboarding with minimal due diligence on your business. It’s like they’re handing out payment processing accounts like candy on Halloween.
But here’s the scary part – aggregators like Stripe are not underwritten for specific business types or risk levels. They essentially treat every business the same, regardless of the industry’s unique challenges and potential for chargebacks or fraud.
This one-size-fits-all approach is a recipe for disaster if you’re in a high-risk category. Certain industries, like subscription boxes, nutraceuticals, or online gaming, are deemed too risky for Stripe’s appetite. If you fall into one of these buckets, Stripe may work with you in the short term, but it’s only a matter of time before they cut you loose.
Stripe’s system is hyper-sensitive to anything that looks remotely risky. A sudden spike in chargebacks, an influx of international orders, or even just operating in a “scary” industry vertical could trigger Stripe to abruptly terminate your account. They don’t have the underwriting or risk management infrastructure to truly understand and support high-risk merchants.
So while that instant setup may be tempting, don’t fall into the trap. If you’re in a high-risk industry, Stripe is not your long-term solution. Their lack of underwriting and risk assessment means they simply can’t handle the unique challenges of your business.
The consequences of ignoring this reality are severe. You could wake up one day to find your account suspended, your funds frozen, and your ability to process payments gone. That’s not just a minor inconvenience – it’s a death sentence for your business.
Don’t put your livelihood in the hands of an aggregator that doesn’t truly understand or support your industry. Seek out dedicated merchant accounts that are properly underwritten for your specific business type. It may take a bit more effort to get set up, but it’s the only way to protect your business from Stripe’s inevitable rejection.
CONNECT WITH A PROCESSOR THAT SUPPORTS YOU
The Ultimate Long-Term Solution
Don’t let Stripe’s sudden account shutdown be the end of your business. Take control of your payment processing destiny by opening a dedicated merchant account that’s tailored to your specific industry.
When you apply for a dedicated merchant account, you’ll go through a thorough underwriting process. Yes, it takes longer than Stripe’s instant setup, but this is a good thing. The underwriting team will dive deep into your business model, financials, and risk profile to create a custom processing solution that fits your needs.
This process ensures that your merchant account is set up with the correct merchant category code for your industry. No more trying to fit a square peg in a round hole like with Stripe’s one-size-fits-all approach.
With a dedicated merchant account, you’ll have a stable, long-term payment processing partnership. Your account is underwritten specifically for your business, which means you’re far less likely to face sudden account freezes or mass credit card refunds.
Plus, you’ll have a direct relationship with your payment processor. If issues do arise, you’ll have a dedicated support team ready to work with you to find a solution. No more generic email support or sudden account terminations without warning.
Don’t put a band-aid on a bullet wound. If you want to protect your business for the long haul, a dedicated merchant account is the way to go. Invest the time in the underwriting process now, and reap the benefits of a stable payment processing solution for years to come.
Your business deserves a payment partner that understands your unique needs and has your back through thick and thin. Open a dedicated merchant account today and take control of your payment processing future.