Industries most commonly labeled high-risk in the U.S.
1) Supplements & nutraceuticals
Often flagged due to marketing claims, refund patterns, continuity billing, and customer expectations. Underwriters want realistic claims, clear labeling, and simple refund steps.
2) Adult, dating, and “social discovery”
Elevated dispute exposure and compliance requirements. Banks also review descriptors, chargeback handling, and content clarity.
3) CBD / hemp products
Even “THC-free” positioning can be flagged. Banks typically require strong compliance clarity, transparent shipping terms, and clean product positioning.
4) Travel, ticketing, and future delivery
The longer the time between charge and delivery, the higher the dispute probability. Underwriters may require reserves to cover exposure.
5) Subscription and continuity billing
Trials, recurring billing, and cancellation friction are major dispute triggers. Underwriters look for visible terms, easy cancellation, and a clean customer support process.
6) Digital services with unclear deliverables
If customers can’t easily understand what they receive, when they receive it, and how refunds work, disputes rise. Clarity wins approvals.
Put your policies front and center. Make cancellation and refunds simple. Avoid exaggerated claims. Align your site with what you actually process.
Next steps
If your business falls into one of the categories above, don’t try to force it through a low-risk provider. You’ll lose time and risk sudden shutdowns. Start with the U.S. high-risk overview and apply with a clean underwriting package.