United States (ACH) custom notifications

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.

Payers in the US need to complete an Automated Clearing House (ACH) Debit Authorization to authorize merchants to take payments from them via ACH.

Once the ACH Debit Authorization has been set up, there are 4 types of notifications that payers may then receive:

ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation (compulsory)
Payment notifications (also known as advance notice) (optional)
Amendment notifications (compulsory)
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 payers 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:

ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation (compulsory): Create notifications including a copy of the payer's ACH Debit Authorization
Advance notice (optional): Create notifications to inform payers of upcoming payments. Depending on your collection type, these notifications could relate to a:
- Open ACH Debit Authorization
- One-off ACH Debit Authorization
- Recurring ACH Debit Authorization
- Standing ACH Debit Authorization
  
  You can find more information about the different authorization types, payment types, and combinations of the two here.
Amendment notifications (compulsory): Create notifications to inform payers of a change to a recurring ACH Debit Authorization
Post-payment receipts (compulsory): Create notifications to inform customers that a successful payment was taken against an ACH Debit Authorization (i.e. a receipt)
Additional steps for partners
GoCardless’ approval process
Summary table

1. ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation

This compulsory notification provides the payer 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 payer 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

Amount being charged (including currency)
Charge date
Description of what the charge is for

Where the payer has set up an Open ACH Debit Authorization (i.e. specific amounts and charge dates are not yet known), we recommend:

‘Your ACH Debit Authorization is for charges arising from your use of [merchant name]’s services and/or purchase of products from [merchant name], and has been set up in accordance with the amount and timings agreed with [merchant name].’

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.

iii. Regulatory footer to let payers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website

Specific wording:

'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. 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.’

Recommended:

iv. Heading that is identifiable to payers	We recommend: ‘Important: Confirmation of the setup of your ACH Debit Authorization to [Merchant]’. Partners - make a GET request to the creditors endpoint, and pull [scheme_identifiers: name] to populate this field
v. Certain payer details as obtained in the sign-up process	Payer name Bank account number - details must be redacted, we recommend showing the last 4 digits Account type (checking or savings account) Bank name - retrievable from the bank details endpoint
vi. Merchant email address and phone number	This is in case the payer needs to contact you. Partners - make a GET request to the creditors endpoint, and pull [scheme_identifiers: email] and [scheme_identifiers: phone_number] to populate these fields
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.
viii. Remind payers 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 [one-off / recurring / standing] ACH Debit Authorization to [Merchant name].

Payments of [amount] will be debited from your bank account ****3256 ([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. 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 payer 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:

Open ACH Debit Authorization
One-off ACH Debit Authorization
Recurring ACH Debit Authorization
Standing ACH Debit Authorization

You can find more information about the different authorization types here.

Although optional, GoCardless recommends sending this notification to ensure that payers 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:

i. Payment details	Amount being charged (including currency) Charge date Description of what the charge is for
ii. Certain payer details as obtained in the sign-up process	Payer (consumer) name Bank account number - details must be redacted, we recommend showing the last 4 digits Account type (checking or savings account) Bank name - retrievable from the bank details endpoint
iii. Regulatory footer to let payers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website	Specific wording: '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. 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.’

Recommended:

iv. Heading that is identifiable to payers	We recommend: '[Merchant] is charging you [amount]'.
v. Merchant email address and phone number	This is in case the payer needs to contact you. Partners - make a GET request to the creditors endpoint, and pull [scheme_identifiers: email] and [scheme_identifiers: phone_number] to populate these fields
vi. Remind payers 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 [one-off / recurring / standing] ACH Debit Authorization you set up, an upcoming payment of [amount] will be debited from your bank account ****3256 ([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. 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 payers know of any amendments to their recurring ACH Debit Authorization.

It must be received by the payer:

In the case of pricing amendments, at least 10 calendar days before further payments are charged under the new terms
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:

i. Payment details (original and updated)

Details of the change e.g., the previous charge amount and/or frequency, and the updated charge amount and/or frequency
The date the change will come into effect
Description of what the charge is for

ii. Regulatory footer to let payers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website

Recommended:

iii. Heading that is identifiable to payers	We recommend: 'Your subscription has been updated'.
iv. Merchant email address and phone number	This is in case the payer needs to contact you about the change.
v. Remind payers 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 [one-off / recurring / standing] 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. 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 payers 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:

i. Payment details	Charge amount Charge date Description of what the charge is for
ii. Regulatory footer to let payers know how GoCardless’ service is provided, and about 3rd party data controllers that power your website	Specific wording: '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. 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.'
iii. Alaskan complaints disclosure for Alaskan payers	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:

iii. Heading that is identifiable to payers	We recommend: ‘New ACH Debit Authorization payment to [Merchant]’
iv. Merchant email address and phone number	This is in case the payer needs to contact you about the charge.
v. Remind payers 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 [one-off / recurring / standing] 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. 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 payers	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended
Payer details (name, redacted 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
Reminder to check the ACH Debit Authorization	Recommended
Reminder of what will appear on payers' 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)

United States (ACH) custom notifications

How to build custom notifications

1. ACH Debit Authorization setup confirmation

2. Advance notice

3. Amendment notifications

4. Post-payment receipts

5. Additional steps for partners

6. GoCardless’ approval process

Merchants:

Partners:

7. Summary table

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