GuardScore™ Compliance Passport Disclaimer

⚠️ Important Notice

The MerchantGuard™ Compliance Passport is provided for educational purposes only and isnot financial, legal, or investment advice. It does not constitute regulatory approval, payment service provider (PSP) endorsement, underwriting decisions, or compliance guarantees.

What Our Compliance Passport Represents

The MerchantGuard™ Compliance Passport indicates that a merchant has completed our educational assessment process and demonstrated understanding of common compliance frameworks. The Compliance Passport serves as:

  • Educational completion certificate - showing engagement with compliance learning materials
  • Self-assessment record - documenting merchant-provided information
  • Process documentation - indicating completion of our structured review process
  • Conversation starter - facilitating discussions with payment partners

What Our Compliance Passport Does NOT Represent

  • Regulatory compliance certification - We are not a regulatory body
  • Payment processor approval - PSPs make independent underwriting decisions
  • Legal compliance guarantee - Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time
  • Financial advice or recommendations - Consult qualified professionals
  • Insurance or liability coverage - No protection against losses or penalties
  • Audit or third-party verification - Information is merchant self-reported

Liability Limitations

By using the MerchantGuard™ Compliance Passport or referencing our assessments, you acknowledge and agree that:

  1. No Warranties: MerchantGuard™ makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of Compliance Passport information.
  2. Independent Verification Required: All compliance determinations must be independently verified with qualified legal and financial professionals.
  3. No Liability for Outcomes: MerchantGuard™ is not liable for any business outcomes, regulatory actions, or financial losses related to Compliance Passport usage.
  4. User Responsibility: Users are solely responsible for their compliance obligations and business decisions.
  5. Indemnification: Users agree to indemnify MerchantGuard™ against any claims arising from Compliance Passport usage or reliance on our educational content.

Passport Integrity & Verification

To ensure Compliance Passport integrity and prevent misuse:

  • All Compliance Passports include cryptographic signatures for tamper detection
  • Compliance Passport data expires after 90 days and requires renewal
  • Fraudulent Compliance Passport usage may result in permanent account suspension
  • Compliance Passport verification can be performed at any time via our public API

Verify Passport Authenticity: Always verify Compliance Passports using our public verification tool or API to ensure they have not been tampered with or expired.

Proper Usage Guidelines

✅ Appropriate Usage

  • Include this disclaimer when sharing Compliance Passports
  • Present Compliance Passports as educational achievements
  • Use Compliance Passports to facilitate compliance discussions
  • Combine Compliance Passports with professional legal review

❌ Inappropriate Usage

  • Claiming regulatory approval or certification
  • Guaranteeing payment processor acceptance
  • Substituting for professional legal advice
  • Modifying or tampering with Compliance Passport data

Professional Consultation Required

MerchantGuard™ strongly recommends consulting with qualified professionals before making compliance or business decisions:

  • Legal Counsel: For regulatory interpretation and compliance strategy
  • Certified Public Accountants: For financial and tax compliance
  • Industry Consultants: For sector-specific requirements
  • Payment Specialists: For processor selection and optimization

Contact & Questions

For questions about Compliance Passport interpretation, verification, or proper usage:

Last Updated: August 18, 2025
Version: 1.0
Effective: All MerchantGuard™ Compliance Passports and assessments