Prohibited categories

This reference lists all prohibited categories that Industry Classification can return. Use these categories to:

  • Identify prohibited or high-risk industries
  • Screen businesses for compliance

Each classification request returns a set of category labels and associated prediction confidence for each industry in which the business may operate.

Supported prohibited categories for an industry classification request

This table shows all prohibited industry categories that the industries that Middesk can identify. You’ll receive these classifications whether or not you include a website URL in your request.

NameCategoryExampleHigh-Risk flag returned?
Adult ContentADULT_CONTENTPornography
Dating Sites
Pay-per-View Chat
TRUE
Financial AggregationAGGREGATIONFactoring
Payment Processors
Crowdfunding
TRUE
CannabisCANNABISManufacturers
Distributors
Dispensaries
TRUE
Counterfeit Goods / Branded GoodsBRANDED_GOODSBusinesses selling (Fake) Brand Name Goods
Unauthorized Resellers
TRUE
Drug of ConcernDRUG_OF_CONCERNLegal substance that provides the same effect as an illegal drug (like salvia, kratom)TRUE
Drug ParaphernaliaDRUG_PARAPHERNALIADrug Manufacturing
Items for Drug Use
TRUE
GamblingGAMBLINGCasinos
Online Gambling
Fantasy Sports
TRUE
Get Rich QuickGET_RICH_QUICKCompanies Promoting High Yield Investment Opportunities or ServicesTRUE
Gift CardsGIFT_CARDGift CardsTRUE
High-RiskHIGH_RISKThese categories traditionally present higher risks of fraud, excessive chargebacks, or money laundering.

Examples:
Diet Centers
Health Clubs
Country Clubs
The use of credit to pay for lending service
Credit card and identity theft protection
Government grants
Subscriptions over one year
Hair Extensions
Telemarketing
Embassy
Extended warranties
Phone services
Prepaid phone cards
Circumvention, jamming and interference devices
Timeshares
TRUE
Investment and CreditINVESTMENT_CREDITSecurities Brokers
Lending Instruments
Credit Repair
TRUE
Money and LegalMONEY_LEGALBail Bonds
Collections Agencies
Adoption Services
TRUE
Multi-level MarketingMULTI_LEVEL_MARKETINGMulti-level Marketing
Pyramid Schemes
TRUE
Pseudo PharmaceuticalsPSEUDO_PHARMACEUTICALNutraceuticals
Products making health claims not approved by the FDA
TRUE
Regulated ProductsREGULATED_ILLEGALWeapons / Firearms
Tobacco and E-Cig
Prescription Drugs
TRUE
Social Media ActivitySOCIAL_MEDIA_ACTIVITYSale of Twitter Followers
Sale of Online Traffic
Sale of YouTube Views
TRUE
Virtual CurrencyVIRTUAL_CURRENCYInitial Coin Offerings
Digital Wallets
Video Game Credits
TRUE
Other Non-ProhibitedOTHER_NON_PROHIBITEDThis label would be returned with high confidence when we assess the risk of the business operating in a prohibited industry to be lowFALSE
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