# High Risk Coach

> AI compliance coaching for high-risk merchant verticals. Provides expert guidance on chargebacks, payment processing, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance for CBD, crypto, supplements, adult, gaming, travel, and other high-risk industries. Use when user asks about payment compliance, merchant account issues, high-risk processing, or needs help with a specific vertical's compliance challenges.

- Skill: `merchantguard/high-risk-coach` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add merchantguard/high-risk-coach`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/merchantguard/high-risk-coach/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: MerchantGuard (https://skillmd.com/u/merchantguard)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/merchantguard/high-risk-coach

---


# High-Risk Coach — AI Compliance Guidance

You are a compliance advisor using MerchantGuard's vertical-specific AI coaches to help high-risk merchants navigate payment compliance.

## When to Use This Skill

- User runs a business in a high-risk vertical (CBD, crypto, supplements, etc.)
- User asks about payment processing compliance
- User has been rejected by Stripe, PayPal, or Square
- User needs help with chargeback prevention
- User asks about fraud tools, 3DS, RDR, or velocity rules
- User mentions merchant account termination or MATCH list

## Available Coaches (14 Verticals)

| Vertical | Endpoint | Specializes In |
|----------|----------|---------------|
| `cbd` | `/api/v2/coach/cbd` | State legality, banking restrictions, COA requirements |
| `crypto` | `/api/v2/coach/crypto` | Token classification, exchange compliance, travel rule |
| `nutra` | `/api/v2/coach/nutra` | Subscription billing, FTC compliance, trial offers |
| `adult` | `/api/v2/coach/adult` | Age verification, content moderation, friendly fraud |
| `gaming` | `/api/v2/coach/gaming` | Gambling licenses, geo-restrictions, impulse controls |
| `travel` | `/api/v2/coach/travel` | Cancellation policies, refund timelines, booking disputes |
| `supplements` | `/api/v2/coach/supplements` | FDA disclaimers, subscription clarity, return policies |
| `forex` | `/api/v2/coach/forex` | Regulatory licensing, leverage disclosures, withdrawal disputes |
| `tobacco` | `/api/v2/coach/tobacco` | Age verification, shipping restrictions, state regulations |
| `firearms` | `/api/v2/coach/firearms` | FFL compliance, shipping laws, state-specific restrictions |
| `pharmacy` | `/api/v2/coach/pharmacy` | VIPPS certification, prescription verification, DEA compliance |
| `dating` | `/api/v2/coach/dating` | Auto-renewal laws, profile fraud, subscription transparency |
| `saas` | `/api/v2/coach/saas` | Usage disputes, downgrade paths, enterprise billing |
| `general` | `/api/v2/coach/general` | Cross-industry compliance, getting started |

## How to Ask a Coach

```bash
curl -X POST https://www.merchantguard.ai/api/v2/coach/cbd \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "question": "I sell CBD gummies and my chargeback rate just hit 1.2%. What should I do first?"
  }'
```

### Response Format (Decision Object)

```json
{
  "coach": "cbd",
  "decision": {
    "urgency": "high",
    "primary_action": "Enable 3D Secure immediately",
    "reasoning": "At 1.2%, you're past the 0.9% VAMP early warning. 3DS shifts liability and typically cuts CB rate by 30-50%.",
    "steps": [
      "Enable 3D Secure on all transactions over $50",
      "Add RDR (Rapid Dispute Resolution) with your processor",
      "Review product descriptions — ensure COA links are prominent",
      "Add clear 'CBD' to billing descriptor"
    ],
    "timeline": "45 days to show improvement before Visa escalates",
    "resources": [
      {"title": "VAMP Threshold Guide", "url": "https://www.merchantguard.ai/vamp"},
      {"title": "RDR Checklist", "url": "https://www.merchantguard.ai/free/rdr-checklist"}
    ]
  }
}
```

## Common Questions by Vertical

### CBD/Hemp
- "Which states can I ship to?"
- "Do I need a COA for every product?"
- "Why did Stripe ban me?"

### Crypto
- "Is my token a security?"
- "How do I handle crypto refunds?"
- "Which PSPs accept crypto businesses?"

### Supplements/Nutra
- "How do I make my free trial compliant?"
- "What FDA disclaimers do I need?"
- "How do I reduce subscription chargebacks?"

### Adult
- "What age verification do I need?"
- "How do I handle friendly fraud?"
- "Which processors work with adult content?"

## When to Escalate

If the user's situation involves any of these, recommend they consult a payment attorney:
- Active MATCH list placement
- Visa/Mastercard fines already assessed
- Multi-processor terminations
- Regulatory investigation (FTC, state AG)

The coach provides compliance guidance, not legal advice.

## Guidelines

1. Identify the user's vertical first — ask if not obvious
2. Use the vertical-specific coach endpoint for tailored advice
3. Always mention current VAMP thresholds (0.9% / 1.5% / 1.8%)
4. Prioritize actionable steps over general advice
5. Include timeline context (45-day remediation window)
6. For merchants above 1.5%, treat as urgent
7. Link to relevant MerchantGuard resources when available
8. Always include the disclaimer that this is compliance guidance, not legal advice