MasterCard Looks to Ban Merchant Account Cross Sales

CYBERSPACE — MasterCard intends to levy substantial fines on merchant accounts participating in cross sales schemes.

The international credit card issuer will be fining merchant accounts up to $50,000 as it enforces rule 5.10.1 that prohibits merchants from exchanging information for the purpose of cross-sales, according to CCBill.com CEO Ron C, who announced the news via post on GFY message board.

The news that enforcement of the rule has begun was welcomed by Gunner from ATK Cash.

“I can only hope this is the first in a series of changes which will bring an end to their borderline illegal activites, thereby rectifying some of the damage they've done to quality programs,” Gunner told XBIZ. “There are people in this industry who have made deceptive billing practices their business model. I have no pity for them whatsoever.”

MasterCard’s rule 5.10.1, “sales or exchange of information,” states that “a merchant must not sell, purchase, provide, exchange or in any manner disclose card account number, transaction, or personal information of or about a Cardholder to anyone other than its acquirer, to the [MasterCard], or in response to a valid government demand. This prohibition applies to card imprints, TIDs, carbon copies, mailing lists, tapes, database files, and all other media created or obtained as a result of a transaction.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

New Kickstarter Rules Ban Fundraising for Adult Content, Products

Crowdfunding platform Kickstarter has posted new “Mature Content” rules banning projects that involve adult content and sextech.

WebGroup Czech Republic Settles Florida AV Suit, Will Pay $1.2 Million

WebGroup Czech Republic (WGCZ), the parent company of XVideos, XNXX, BangBros and GirlsGoneWild, has settled a lawsuit filed by the state of Florida over those sites’ alleged failure to age-verify Florida users before allowing access to adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for March, April

AEBN has published the top search terms for March and April from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Ofcom Investigates Two Sites Over Possible AV Violations

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday launched investigations into two adult sites as part of its age assurance enforcement program under the Online Safety Act (OSA).

Brazzers Launches Model Management Division 'Brazzers Creator'

Brazzers has launched its new full-service model management division, Brazzers Creator, offering content management services across multiple platforms.

FTC Promises 'Vigorous' TAKE IT DOWN Act Enforcement

The Federal Trade Commission is warning platforms that the agency will strongly enforce the notice-and-removal requirements of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which go into effect next week on May 19.

STD Hero Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Better Life Science brand STD Hero has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

2026 XBIZ Miami Speaker, Open-Floor Conversation Guide Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier summer conference, set to take place May 11-14 at the Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach.

2026 XBIZ Miami Conference Schedule Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full show schedule for XBIZ Miami, set to take place May 11-14 at the Goodtime Hotel in South Beach.

Court of International Trade Rejects Trump 'Replacement' Tariffs

The U.S. Court of International Trade on Thursday ruled that President Trump’s 10% global tariff under the Trade Act of 1974, imposed after the Supreme Court invalidated the administration’s broad “Liberation Day” tariff regime, is illegal — but stopped short of a nationwide injunction against the tariff.

Show More