Last updated: August 2026
Payments With Al operates paymentswithal.com. This page describes what data is collected, how it is used, and what your choices are. It is written to be accurate rather than reassuring — where something might surprise you, it's spelled out.
What is collected
If you subscribe to the newsletter: your email address, and your name if you provide one.
If you send a merchant statement for review: the file you upload, plus the name, email, business name, phone number and message you submit with it. Merchant statements often contain sensitive business information — processing volumes, your merchant ID (MID), and in many cases your settlement bank account and routing numbers. Please redact anything you would prefer not to send; the review works fine without full account numbers.
If you use the contact or content-suggestion forms: whatever you type into them.
Automatically, on every visit: standard web server logs (IP address, browser type, pages requested, timestamps) and Google Analytics 4 data.
Analytics and cookies
This site runs Google Analytics 4. It sets cookies (including _ga and _gid), collects usage data, and shares that data with Google. This is third-party tracking, and earlier versions of this page incorrectly stated the site used none — that was wrong, and this section is the correction.
Ghost also sets functional cookies required for the site and member sign-in to work.
You can block analytics cookies with your browser settings or an ad blocker, and the site will work normally.
How your information is used
- Your email — to send the newsletter you signed up for, and to reply to you. Nothing else.
- Your statement — reviewed personally by Al so he can tell you what you're paying and whether it's competitive.
- Analytics — to understand which guides are useful, so more of the useful ones get written.
When your information is shared
This is the part that matters most, so it is stated directly.
If you ask me to shop your rate, I will share the details necessary to obtain a quote — typically your processing volume, average ticket, card mix, business type, and current pricing — with one or more payment processors or sponsoring banks so they can price your account.
That happens only if you explicitly ask for it. Sending a statement for review is not a request to shop your rate. The review comes back to you and stops there unless you say otherwise.
If a processor you select boards your account, I may earn ongoing compensation from that processor. That arrangement is described in full on the How I Get Paid page.
Beyond that: your information is not sold, rented, or shared for advertising. The only other recipients are the service providers this site runs on (hosting, email delivery, analytics) and any disclosure legally required of me.
How long things are kept
Uploaded statements are retained only as long as needed to complete your review and any rate quote you request, and are deleted within 12 months. If you want your statement and its data deleted sooner, email me and it's done — usually the same day.
Newsletter subscriptions are kept until you unsubscribe.
Security
Statements are transmitted over an encrypted connection (HTTPS) and stored on an access-restricted server. No system is perfectly secure, and this one is operated by a small business rather than a bank — so please send only what the review actually requires, and redact account numbers you don't want stored.
Your choices
- Unsubscribe from the newsletter using the link in any email.
- Request deletion of your data — email the address below and it will be deleted.
- Ask what's held about you and you'll get a straight answer.
Children
This site is intended for business owners and is not directed to anyone under 18.
Changes
If this policy changes materially, the updated date above will change and the substance of the change will be described here rather than quietly swapped in.
Contact
Questions about this policy, or requests to delete your data: [email protected]