Terms of Service

Last updated: [DATE] · Effective upon account creation

1. Agreement to Terms

By creating an account or using PayClaw (“the Service”), you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the Service. The Service is operated by PayClaw LLC (“PayClaw,” “we,” “us”).

By creating an account, you consent to receive all disclosures, notices, and communications from PayClaw electronically, including via email and your account dashboard. You may withdraw this consent at any time by contacting us, but doing so may limit your ability to use the Service. This consent applies to all communications that we are required or permitted to provide in writing under applicable law, including the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.

2. Description of Service

PayClaw is a technology platform that enables AI agents to make authorized purchases on your behalf using virtual payment cards. Virtual cards are issued by [BANK_NAME], Member FDIC, through Lithic, Inc., pursuant to a license from [VISA_OR_MASTERCARD]. PayClaw is a technology partner and program manager — not the card issuer, a bank, or a money transmitter. The Service includes:

  • A PayClaw account with a configurable card balance (maximum $500), held by [BANK_NAME], Member FDIC
  • Virtual card issuance for agent-initiated purchases
  • Intent-based authorization and post-purchase audit
  • A dashboard for managing your account, cards, and transactions
  • An MCP server and API for agent integration

3. How Funding Works (Two-Transaction Disclosure)

Important: Please read carefully.

When you add funds to your PayClaw account, two separate financial transactions occur:

  1. Your payment is processed by Stripe for the deposit amount plus a service fee (currently 1.5% of the deposit amount). For example, a $100 deposit results in a charge of $101.50 to your payment method.
  2. Your card balance is funded by [BANK_NAME] through Lithic, Inc. for the deposit amount ($100 in this example). The service fee is PayClaw's revenue and is not loaded onto your card balance.

PayClaw does not hold or custody your funds. Deposited funds are held by [BANK_NAME], Member FDIC, through our card issuing partner Lithic, Inc. PayClaw is a technology platform that facilitates the funding process on behalf of the card issuer.

4. Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years old
  • You must be a resident of the United States
  • You must provide accurate identity information for KYC verification
  • You must enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your account

5. Account Security

You are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the security of your account credentials and MFA device
  • Safeguarding your API keys (treat them as passwords)
  • All activity that occurs under your account and API keys, subject to Section 7 (Unauthorized Transactions)
  • Immediately revoking compromised API keys via the dashboard
  • Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access

6. Agent Authorization & Shared Security Responsibility

When you provide an API key to an AI agent (directly or via MCP configuration), you authorize that agent to:

  • Declare purchase intents on your behalf
  • Retrieve virtual card credentials for approved intents
  • Complete purchases at merchants using your funded card balance

Shared Security Responsibility. PayClaw and our users share responsibility for transaction security. PayClaw is responsible for providing secure infrastructure, intent-based authorization, and audit capabilities. You are responsible for configuring appropriate spending controls, safeguarding your API keys, and promptly reporting suspicious activity. Neither party bears sole responsibility for losses resulting from AI agent errors or compromises, and both parties will cooperate in good faith to investigate and resolve disputes.

Risk of AI Agent Errors

AI agents, including those powered by large language models, may be susceptible to adversarial manipulation (such as prompt injection) that could cause them to take unintended actions, including unauthorized purchases. While PayClaw provides intent-based authorization, merchant whitelists, and spending limits as risk-reduction tools, no safeguard is absolute. We strongly recommend:

  • Enabling merchant whitelist restrictions for all API keys
  • Setting per-intent spending limits below your total card balance
  • Regularly reviewing your transaction audit trail
  • Promptly revoking API keys if you suspect compromise

7. Unauthorized Transactions & Error Resolution

Your Rights Under Federal Law

If you believe a transaction on your account is unauthorized or incorrect — including transactions resulting from AI agent compromise — contact us at support@payclaw.io as soon as possible.

  • Report within 2 business days of learning of the unauthorized transaction, and your liability is limited to $50.
  • Report after 2 business days but within 60 calendar days of your statement being sent, and your liability is limited to $500.
  • Report after 60 calendar days, and you may be liable for the full amount of unauthorized transactions that occurred after the 60-day period.

When you report an unauthorized transaction, we will investigate within 10 business days (20 business days for new accounts open less than 30 days). If we need more time, we may take up to 45 calendar days to complete our investigation, but we will provisionally credit your account within 10 business days while we investigate.

8. Spending Limits & Controls

  • Maximum account balance: $500
  • Per-transaction limits enforced by [BANK_NAME] through Lithic, Inc.
  • Merchant whitelist controls (configurable by you)
  • Balance holds placed at time of intent approval, captured on purchase completion
  • Intent auto-audit flags transactions that deviate from declared intent by more than 20%

9. Fees

  • Service fee: 1.5% of each account deposit (charged at time of deposit)
  • No per-transaction fees — PayClaw does not charge per purchase
  • No monthly subscription (current plan; subject to change with notice per Section 17)

Payment processing fees charged by Stripe are separate from PayClaw's service fee and are borne by PayClaw, not the user.

10. Transaction Disputes

Unauthorized or incorrect transactions: If you believe a transaction is unauthorized or incorrect, report it under Section 7 above.

Merchant disputes: For disputes regarding the quality, delivery, or description of goods or services purchased by your agent, you may work directly with the merchant or contact us for assistance. PayClaw will cooperate with card network dispute processes as required by [BANK_NAME] and the applicable card network.

Abuse of the dispute process — including filing disputes for transactions you authorized or repeatedly filing frivolous disputes — may result in account suspension or termination.

11. Prohibited Uses

You may not use the Service to:

  • Purchase illegal goods or services
  • Engage in fraud, money laundering, or terrorist financing
  • Circumvent spending controls or authorization policies
  • Resell or redistribute API access without authorization
  • Reverse-engineer the Service or attempt to extract source code
  • Overwhelm the Service with automated requests beyond normal agent usage
  • Use the Service if you are under economic sanctions or on a restricted persons list

12. Early Access Program

The Service is currently offered as an early access release. Features, pricing, and availability may change. Account balances are limited to $500 during the early access period. Early access status does not modify PayClaw's obligations under applicable law, including consumer financial protection statutes.

13. Service Availability

We strive for high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted service. The Service is provided “as is” and “as available.” We may suspend or modify the Service with reasonable notice, except in emergencies (security incidents, compliance requirements).

Force Majeure. PayClaw is not liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: outages of third-party service providers (including Lithic, Inc., [BANK_NAME], Stripe, or hosting providers), natural disasters, government actions, or network or infrastructure failures.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, PayClaw's total aggregate liability for any claims arising from your use of the Service shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amount of funds in your PayClaw account at the time of the incident, or (b) the total service fees paid by you to PayClaw in the twelve (12) months preceding the incident.

This limitation does not apply to: (i) PayClaw's obligations under applicable consumer protection laws, including the Electronic Fund Transfer Act; (ii) claims arising from PayClaw's gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) PayClaw's indemnification obligations, if any.

PayClaw is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, except where prohibited by law.

15. Termination

You may close your account at any time. Any remaining card balance will be returned to your original payment method, minus any pending transactions. We may suspend or terminate your account for violation of these Terms, with notice where practicable.

16. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Binding Arbitration. Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by JAMS under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules. Arbitration shall be conducted in English, by a single arbitrator, remotely (by videoconference) unless both parties agree to in-person proceedings. The arbitrator's award is final and enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Class Action Waiver. You agree to resolve disputes with PayClaw on an individual basis only. You waive any right to participate in a class action, class arbitration, or representative proceeding.

Small Claims Exception. Either party may bring an individual action in small claims court in Travis County, Texas (or your county of residence) if the claim qualifies.

30-Day Opt-Out. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to legal@payclaw.io within 30 days of creating your account. If you opt out, disputes will be resolved under Section 17 (Governing Law).

17. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or dashboard notice at least 30 days before taking effect. For changes affecting fees, liability, or your rights under applicable consumer protection laws, we will provide at least 45 days' advance notice. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

18. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law principles. Where arbitration does not apply (see Section 16), any disputes will be resolved in the courts located in Travis County, Texas.

19. General Provisions

Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any applicable cardholder agreement provided by [BANK_NAME], constitute the entire agreement between you and PayClaw regarding the Service.

Assignment. You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms. PayClaw may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, provided the assignee agrees to be bound by these Terms.

No Waiver. Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms is not a waiver of our right to enforce it later.

20. Contact

Questions about these Terms:
legal@payclaw.io

Report unauthorized transactions or errors:
support@payclaw.io