The following is a guide to building custom notifications for merchants using GoCardless Advanced or GoCardless Pro, and for partners, using the add-on feature Custom checkout experience and payer notifications. See our Pricing page for more details.
In order for consumers in the US to authorize merchants to take payments from them via ACH, the local Direct Debit payment scheme, they must complete an ACH Debit Authorization, also known as a Consumer Authorization.
Once the ACH Debit Authorization has been set up, there are 4 types of notifications that consumers may then receive:
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ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation (compulsory)
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Advance notice (optional)
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Amendment notifications (compulsory)
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Post-payment receipts (compulsory)
Merchants using GoCardless Advanced or GoCardless Pro have the option to use GoCardless’ own notifications, or to create their own custom notifications.
Partners can opt to create custom notifications as well. This will enable merchants who are using GoCardless through their app to offer their customers (consumers) a consistent branding experience.
Please note: Before designing and hosting custom notifications, you should be aware that there are compliance requirements for the content and formatting of these notifications. Once ready, custom notifications have to receive a sign off by GoCardless, and you could be asked to remove or amend any part of the signed off notifications at any time if notified to do so.
How to build custom notifications
This guidance is split into 7 sections which will help you to ensure compliance with the ACH scheme rules and GoCardless’ processes:
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ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation (compulsory): Create notifications including a copy of the consumer’s ACH Debit Authorization
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Advance notice (optional): Create notifications to inform consumers of upcoming payments. Depending on your collection type, these notifications could relate to a:
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Single ACH Debit Authorization (one-off payments)
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Recurring ACH Debit Authorization (subscriptions of regular amounts at regular intervals)
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Standing ACH Debit Authorization (varying amounts at irregular intervals)
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Amendment notifications (compulsory): Create notifications to inform consumers of a change to a recurring ACH Debit Authorization (subscriptions of regular amounts at regular intervals)
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Post-payment receipts (compulsory): Create notifications to inform customers that a successful payment was taken against an ACH Debit Authorization (i.e. a receipt)
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Additional steps for partners
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GoCardless’ approval process
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Summary table
1. ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation
This compulsory notification provides the consumer with the necessary documentation relating to their ACH Debit Authorization, i.e., the terms and conditions of the agreement they have entered into. It must be received by the consumer within 1 day of the ACH Debit authorization being set up. The notification can be triggered by you in accordance with the Mandate Created webhook event.
There are 3 compulsory elements to this notification, and 5 recommended elements.
Compulsory:
|
i. Payment details |
Where the consumer has set up an advance authorization for future unspecified debits (i.e. not a one-time transfer of known funds, or a known recurring debit at regularly scheduled intervals), we recommend: |
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ii. PDF link to / static copy of the ACH Debit Authorization |
You must provide a copy of the ACH Debit Authorization, which can be retrieved via the mandate pdf endpoint. |
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iii. Regulatory footer to let consumers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website |
Specific wording: |
Recommended:
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iv. Heading that is identifiable to consumers |
We recommend: ‘Important: Confirmation of the setup of your ACH Debit to [Merchant]’. |
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v. Certain consumer details as obtained in the sign-up process |
|
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vi. Merchant email address and phone number |
This is in case the consumer needs to contact you. |
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vii. Reminder to check details |
You should remind the customer to check the details of the ACH Debit Authorization and to let you know if there are any problems. |
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viii. Remind consumers of the name that will appear on their bank statements |
Partners can retrieve this information by making a GET request to the creditors endpoint and pulling the field [scheme_identifiers: name]. |
Example notification containing the above components
Important: Confirmation of the setup of your ACH Debit Authorization to [Merchant name]
Dear [customer name]
This is to confirm the successful setup of your ACH Debit Authorization to [Merchant name].
Payments of [amount] will be debited from your bank account ******23 ([type of account and bank name]) on [date / frequency], in accordance with the attached ACH Debit Authorization, and will appear on your bank statement as: [reference].
Please check the details - if they are incorrect or there are any other issues with this ACH Debit Authorization please let us know by contacting us at [Merchant email address / phone number].
Payments securely processed by GoCardless. GoCardless Inc.’s payment service is provided by (i) a program sponsored by Community Federal Savings Bank (“CFSB”), or (ii) GoCardless Inc., a FinCEN registered money services business, registration number 31000261158426. Where your payment is processed by GoCardless Inc., it serves as agent to receive payment on our behalf and your payment to GoCardless Inc. constitutes payment to us.
GoCardless and CFSB use personal data as described in these Privacy Notices.
+Attach copy of authorization
2. Advance notice
This optional notification tells the consumer when to expect a payment that is due to be taken against the ACH Debit Authorization that they set up. These payments could relate to a:
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Single ACH Debit Authorization (a one-time transfer of funds)
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Recurring ACH Debit Authorization (ongoing authorization to a recurring debit at regularly scheduled intervals)
-
Standing ACH Debit Authorization (an advance authorization for future debits, which must be initiated by the customer through their future action)
Although optional, GoCardless recommends sending this notification to ensure that consumers are fully informed of all debits that will be made against their account.
This notification can be triggered by you in accordance with the Payment Created webhook event. If you are sending this notification, there are 3 compulsory elements to this notification, and 3 recommended elements.
Compulsory:
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i. Payment details |
|
|
ii. Certain consumer details as obtained in the sign-up process |
|
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iii. Regulatory footer to let consumers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website |
Specific wording: |
Recommended:
|
iv. Heading that is identifiable to consumers |
We recommend: '[Merchant] is charging you [amount]'. |
|
v. Merchant email address and phone number |
This is in case the consumer needs to contact you. |
|
vi. Remind consumers of the name that will appear on their bank statements |
Partners can retrieve this information by making a GET request to the creditors endpoint and pulling the field [scheme_identifiers: name]. |
Example notification containing the above components:
[Merchant name] is charging you [amount]
Dear [customer name]
In accordance with the ACH Debit Authorization you set up, an upcoming payment of [amount] will be debited from your bank account ******23 ([type of account and bank name]) on [date].
This payment will appear on your bank statement as: [reference].
Payments securely processed by GoCardless. GoCardless Inc.’s payment service is provided by (i) a program sponsored by Community Federal Savings Bank (“CFSB”), or (ii) GoCardless Inc., a FinCEN registered money services business, registration number 31000261158426. Where your payment is processed by GoCardless Inc., it serves as agent to receive payment on our behalf and your payment to GoCardless Inc. constitutes payment to us.
GoCardless and CFSB use personal data as described in these Privacy Notices.
3. Amendment notifications
This compulsory notification lets consumers know of any amendments to their recurring ACH Debit Authorization.
It must be received by the consumer:
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In the case of pricing amendments, at least 10 calendar days before further payments are charged under the new terms
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In the case of collection date amendments e.g., day or frequency, at least 7 calendar days before further payments are charged under the new terms
If you are using the subscriptions endpoint, and your change relates to the amount of a subscription, this notification can be triggered by you in accordance with the Amended webhook event. The notification has 2 compulsory elements and 3 recommended elements.
Compulsory:
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i. Payment details (original and updated) |
|
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ii. Regulatory footer to let consumers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website |
Specific wording: |
Recommended:
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iii. Heading that is identifiable to consumers |
We recommend: 'Your subscription has been updated'. |
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iv. Merchant email address and phone number |
This is in case the consumer needs to contact you about the change. |
|
v. Remind consumers of the name that will appear on their bank statements |
Partners can retrieve this information by making a GET request to the creditors endpoint and pulling the field [scheme_identifiers: name]. |
Example notification containing the above components
Important: Your subscription has been updated
Dear [customer name]
You set up an ACH Debit authorization on [date] for [Merchant name] to debit $[amount] on a [timing e.g. monthly] basis.
We are letting you know that [describe amount / timing change]. The change will come into effect after [10 / 7] days, so any payments taking place after [date] will be in accordance with these updated details, and will appear on your bank statement as: [reference].
If you have any questions about this change, please let us know by contacting us at [Merchant email address / phone number].
Payments securely processed by GoCardless. GoCardless Inc.’s payment service is provided by (i) a program sponsored by Community Federal Savings Bank (“CFSB”), or (ii) GoCardless Inc., a FinCEN registered money services business, registration number 31000261158426. Where your payment is processed by GoCardless Inc., it serves as agent to receive payment on our behalf and your payment to GoCardless Inc. constitutes payment to us.
GoCardless and CFSB use personal data as described in these Privacy Notices.
4. Post-payment receipts
This compulsory notification lets consumers know that a successful payment was taken from their bank account in accordance with their ACH Debit Authorization. It should be triggered by you in accordance with the Paid Out webhook event.
The notification has 3 compulsory elements and 3 recommended elements.
Compulsory:
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i. Payment details |
|
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ii. Regulatory footer to let consumers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website |
Specific wording: |
|
iii. Alaskan complaints disclosure for Alaskan consumers |
GoCardless always aims to deliver a great experience, but if we’ve fallen short of your expectations and your issue is unresolved by GoCardless Inc. (Tel: 1-628-241-0044), you can submit a formal complaint with the State of Alaska, Division of Banking & Securities by downloading the form here, and submitting, with supporting documents, to: Division of Banking & Securities PO Box 110807 Juneau, AK 99811-0807. If you are an Alaska resident with questions regarding formal complaints, you can also email the State of Alaska, Division of Banking & Securities at dbs.licensing@alaska.gov or call Tel: (907) 465-2521. |
Recommended:
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iii. Heading that is identifiable to consumers |
We recommend: ‘New ACH Debit Authorization payment to [Merchant]’ |
|
iv. Merchant email address and phone number |
This is in case the consumer needs to contact you about the charge. |
|
v. Remind consumers of the name that will appear on their bank statements |
Partners can retrieve this information by making a GET request to the creditors endpoint and pulling the field [scheme_identifiers: name]. |
Example notification containing the above components
New ACH Debit Authorization payment to [Merchant’s name]
Dear [customer name]
Your payment of [amount] to [Merchant’s name] was made on [date].
The payment was debited from your bank account in accordance with the ACH Debit Authorization you set up, and will appear on your bank statement as: [reference].
If you have any questions about this charge, please let us know by contacting us at [Merchant’s email address / phone number].
Payments securely processed by GoCardless. GoCardless Inc.’s payment service is provided by (i) a program sponsored by Community Federal Savings Bank (“CFSB”), or (ii) GoCardless Inc., a FinCEN registered money services business, registration number 31000261158426. Where your payment is processed by GoCardless Inc., it serves as agent to receive payment on our behalf and your payment to GoCardless Inc. constitutes payment to us.
GoCardless and CFSB use personal data as described in these Privacy Notices.
5. Additional steps for partners
Partners must also meet the steps outlined above, and can use the creditors endpoint to retrieve the relevant merchant information (such as merchant name, email address etc.) required for this.
6. GoCardless’ approval process
Your notifications must be sent to GoCardless for approval prior to your go-live date. Once you have written approval from GoCardless, you may implement the notifications. More information can be found below and here.
Merchants:
You must submit your notifications to GoCardless through our Support Centre.
Partners:
You must submit your notifications to GoCardless for approval through our Partner Portal.
7. Summary table
The below shows a summary of the information required in each type of custom notification.
| ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation (compulsory) | Advance notice (optional) | Amendment notification Authorization (compulsory) | Post-payment receipt amounts (compulsory) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Heading that is identifiable to consumers |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
|
Consumer details (name, bank account number, account type, bank name) |
Recommended |
Compulsory (if sending this notification) |
|
|
|
Payment details (amount, date, description) |
Compulsory |
Compulsory (if sending this notification) |
Compulsory |
Compulsory |
|
Merchant contact details |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
|
PDF link / static copy of the ACH Debit Authorization |
Compulsory |
|
|
|
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Reminder to check the ACH Debit Authorization |
Recommended |
|
|
|
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Reminder of what will appear on consumers' bank statements |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
|
Regulatory footer & privacy notice |
Compulsory |
Compulsory (if sending this notification) |
Compulsory |
Compulsory |
|
Alaskan complaints disclosure |
|
|
|
Compulsory (if charging an Alaskan resident) |