Payment Security & Fraud Policy

Effective Date: November 16, 2025
Last Updated:  November 16, 2025

Thank you for visiting Mengotti Couture. We are an E-Commerce Platform, Offering Luxury Item products to enhance your Style & Needs & to experience a Pleasent Shopping Experience. Please read this Disclaimer & Liability Policy, providing consent to document in order to have permission to use our services.

1. Introduction

At Mengotti Couture, your trust is the foundation of every transaction. We understand that purchasing luxury goods online requires confidence in the security of your financial information and the integrity of our platform.

This Payment Security & Fraud Policy outlines the comprehensive measures we implement to protect your payment data, prevent fraudulent activity, and ensure every transaction is conducted with the highest standards of security and discretion.

Mengotti Limited (Company Registration: 12843996) is committed to maintaining industry-leading payment security practices in accordance with UK and international financial regulations, including PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance.

Your peace of mind is as important to us as the quality of the products we offer.

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2. Accepted Payment Methods

We offer multiple secure payment options to accommodate our global clientele:

2.1 Credit & Debit Cards

Accepted Cards:

  • Visa (including Visa Debit and Visa Electron)
  • Mastercard (including Maestro)
  • American Express
  • JCB (Japan Credit Bureau)

Processing: All card payments are processed through Tap Payments, our PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment gateway, ensuring the highest level of security for your transactions.

3D Secure Authentication: For enhanced security, we support:

  • Verified by Visa
  • Mastercard SecureCode
  • American Express SafeKey

These additional authentication layers help protect against unauthorized use of your card and are increasingly required by banks and card issuers worldwide.

2.2 PayPal

We accept payments through PayPal, allowing you to complete purchases using your PayPal balance, linked bank account, or cards saved in your PayPal wallet.

Benefits:

  • Additional buyer protection through PayPal's purchase protection program
  • No need to enter card details on our website
  • Faster checkout for PayPal users

Important Note: Orders paid via PayPal can only be shipped to the verified address registered with your PayPal account. This is a fraud prevention measure that protects both you and our business.

2.3 Bank Wire Transfer

For select customers and high-value orders, we offer bank wire transfer as a payment method.

Process:

  1. Select "Bank Wire Transfer" at checkout
  2. Receive email with our bank account details within 24 hours
  3. Complete the wire transfer through your bank
  4. Send proof of payment (scanned wire transfer receipt) to [email protected] within 48 hours
  5. Your order will be reserved pending payment confirmation
  6. Shipment occurs once funds are confirmed in our account

Availability: Bank wire transfer may not be available in all countries. Availability will be indicated during checkout.

Important: Failure to provide proof of payment within 48 hours will result in automatic order cancellation to ensure inventory availability for other customers.

2.4 Additional Payment Options

Depending on your location, you may see additional payment methods at checkout, including:

  • Apple Pay (where available)
  • Google Pay (where available)
  • Regional payment services

All payment methods are processed through secure, encrypted gateways.

2.5 Currency & Pricing

Transactions are processed in the currency displayed at checkout. Exchange rates, where applicable, are determined by your bank or payment provider and may include additional fees. Please check with your financial institution for details on international transaction fees

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3. Payment Security Measures

3.1 Encryption & Secure Connections

SSL/TLS Encryption:
 All data transmitted between your browser and our website is protected by 256-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, the same technology used by banks and financial institutions worldwide.

How to Verify Security:

  • Look for the padlock icon in your browser's address bar
  • Ensure the URL begins with "https://" (not "http://")
  • Check for "Secure" or similar indicator next to the URL

If you do not see these security indicators, do not enter payment information and contact us immediately.

3.2 PCI DSS Compliance

Mengotti Couture is committed to maintaining PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance, which requires:

  • Secure network infrastructure with firewalls
  • Encryption of cardholder data during transmission
  • Regular security testing and monitoring
  • Restricted access to payment data
  • Physical and digital security controls

Our payment processors (Tap Payments, PayPal) are PCI DSS Level 1 certified, the highest level of compliance, ensuring your payment information is handled with maximum security.

3.3 Data Protection & Storage

What We Do NOT Store:

  • Full credit card numbers
  • CVV/CVC security codes
  • Card expiration dates (beyond what's necessary for subscription services)
  • Banking credentials or passwords

What We Store Securely:

  • Last 4 digits of card numbers (for order reference and customer service)
  • Billing address information
  • Transaction history (in encrypted format)

All stored data is protected by advanced encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.

3.4 Tokenization

When you save payment information for future purchases, we use tokenization—a process that replaces your actual card details with a unique, randomly generated identifier (token). This means:

  • Your real card number is never stored on our servers
  • Even in the unlikely event of a data breach, your payment information remains secure
  • Tokens are useless to anyone who might intercept them
3.5 Secure Payment Gateways

We partner exclusively with trusted, industry-leading payment processors:

  • Tap Payments – PCI DSS Level 1 certified, SOC 2 compliant
  • PayPal – Subject to PayPal's own rigorous security standards and buyer protection policies

These partners handle sensitive payment data on secure, isolated servers, adding multiple layers of protection between your information and potential threats.

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4. Fraud Prevention & Detection

4.1 Our Commitment to Fraud Prevention

Luxury e-commerce is a target for fraudulent activity. We employ sophisticated fraud detection and prevention measures to protect both our customers and our business:

Real-Time Transaction Monitoring:

  • Advanced algorithms analyze every transaction for suspicious patterns
  • Automated fraud scoring assesses risk factors
  • Unusual activity triggers immediate review

Address Verification System (AVS):

  • Compares billing address with address on file with card issuer
  • Flags discrepancies for manual review
  • Helps prevent unauthorized card use

CVV/CVC Verification:

  • Requires the 3-digit security code from the back of your card (or 4-digit code on front for Amex)
  • Confirms physical possession of the card

IP Address & Geolocation Analysis:

  • Monitors location of purchase attempts
  • Flags transactions from high-risk regions or using anonymizing services
  • Detects patterns consistent with card testing or fraud rings

Velocity Checks:

  • Monitors frequency of purchase attempts
  • Identifies suspicious patterns (multiple cards, rapid-fire orders, etc.)
  • Prevents automated fraud attacks
4.2 First-Time Customer Verification

For your protection and ours, first-time customers may experience additional verification steps:

What May Occur:

  • Request for additional identification or proof of card ownership
  • Verification call or email from our customer service team
  • Requirement to ship only to billing address for first order
  • Temporary hold while we confirm payment with your bank or PayPal
  • Delay of 1-3 business days before order dispatch

Why This Happens:

  • First-time transactions carry higher fraud risk
  • Protects you from unauthorized use of your payment method
  • Ensures legitimate orders are processed without issues

What You Can Do:

  • Ensure billing and shipping information is accurate
  • Use the phone number and email associated with your payment method
  • Respond promptly to verification requests
  • Provide requested documentation if asked

We understand this may be inconvenient, but these measures protect both you and our business from fraud. Verified customers typically experience faster processing on subsequent orders.

4.3 Suspicious Activity Indicators

Our system may flag orders for manual review if:

  • Billing address does not match shipping address
  • Multiple orders placed rapidly from the same IP address
  • Payment method fails multiple times before succeeding
  • Order ships to a freight forwarder or mail drop address
  • Customer requests rush shipping on first order
  • Purchase originates from a high-risk country or region
  • Unusually large order for a first-time customer

If your order is flagged:

  • You will receive an email or phone call requesting verification
  • We may ask for additional documentation (photo ID, proof of address, card statement showing billing address)
  • Once verified, your order will be processed normally
  • Refusal to provide verification may result in order cancellation

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5. Your Responsibilities & Best Practices

5.1 Protecting Your Account

Strong Passwords:

  • Use a unique password for your Mengotti Couture account
  • Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters
  • Avoid using the same password across multiple sites
  • Change your password periodically

Account Security:

  • Never share your login credentials with anyone
  • Log out after completing your session, especially on shared devices
  • Enable two-factor authentication if available
  • Monitor your account for unauthorized activity
5.2 Recognizing Phishing & Fraud Attempts

Official Communications:
 Mengotti Couture will NEVER:

  • Ask for your full credit card number, CVV, or password via email, phone, or WhatsApp
  • Request that you send payment to a personal account or cryptocurrency wallet
  • Threaten immediate account closure unless you "verify" payment details
  • Send unsolicited links asking you to log in urgently

Red Flags:

  • Emails from addresses that are not @mengotticouture.com
  • Spelling or grammatical errors in official-looking emails
  • Urgent requests for personal information
  • Links that don't go to mengotticouture.com when hovered over
  • Offers that seem too good to be true (e.g., 90% off luxury items)

What to Do:

  • Do not click links or download attachments from suspicious emails
  • Go directly to mengotticouture.com by typing the URL in your browser
  • Forward suspicious emails to [email protected] with subject line "Phishing Report"
  • Contact us immediately if you believe you've been targeted
5.3 Monitoring Your Payment Accounts

Best Practices:

  • Review your bank and credit card statements regularly
  • Set up transaction alerts with your bank
  • Report unauthorized charges immediately to your card issuer
  • Keep contact information up to date with your financial institutions

If You Suspect Unauthorized Use:

  1. Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to dispute the charge
  2. Email us at [email protected] with subject line "Unauthorized Transaction Report"
  3. Provide order number, transaction date, and details of the suspected fraud
  4. We will investigate and cooperate fully with your financial institution

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6. 6. Payment Authorization & Holds

6.1 Payment Authorization

When you place an order:

Credit/Debit Cards & PayPal:

  • Your payment method is authorized immediately for the full order amount
  • Funds are captured (charged) when your order is prepared for shipment
  • Pre-order items are charged at the time of order placement

Bank Wire Transfer:

  • Payment must be completed before order processing begins
  • Funds must clear in our account before shipment
6.2 Authorization Holds

Temporary Holds:

  • Your bank may place a temporary hold on funds when you place an order
  • This hold typically lasts 3-7 days
  • If your order is cancelled, the hold will be released automatically by your bank
  • We cannot expedite the release of authorization holds—this is controlled by your financial institution

Multiple Attempts:

  • If a payment attempt fails, your bank may place multiple holds
  • Each hold will eventually expire, but this can temporarily reduce your available credit
  • To avoid this, ensure your payment information is correct before submitting your order
6.3 Failed Payments

If your payment is declined:

Common Reasons:

  • Insufficient funds or credit limit reached
  • Expired card
  • Incorrect CVV or billing address
  • Card issuer's fraud prevention system blocked the transaction
  • Bank requires 3D Secure authentication

What to Do:

  • Contact your bank to authorize the transaction
  • Verify that your billing information is correct
  • Try an alternative payment method
  • Contact us for assistance if the problem persists

We reserve the right to cancel orders if payment cannot be successfully processed within 48 hours.

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7. 7. Refunds, Disputes & Chargebacks

7.1 Refund Process

For information on refunds and returns, please see our dedicated Return & Refund Policy.

Standard Refund Timeline:

  • Returns processed within 5-10 business days of receipt
  • Refunds issued to original payment method
  • Allow 3-5 additional business days for funds to appear in your account (bank processing time)

7.2 Disputing Charges

If You Have a Question About a Charge:

Before contacting your bank:

  1. Check your email for order confirmations and shipping notifications
  2. Review your order history at mengotticouture.com/account
  3. Contact us at [email protected] with your order number
  4. We will investigate and respond within 24-48 hours

Many disputes arise from simple misunderstandings and can be resolved quickly by contacting us directly.

7.3 Chargebacks

What is a Chargeback?
 A chargeback occurs when you dispute a charge with your bank or card issuer, and they reverse the transaction, taking funds back from us and returning them to you.

Our Policy:

  • We take chargebacks seriously and investigate every claim thoroughly
  • Fraudulent chargebacks (filing a chargeback after receiving goods) constitute fraud
  • We provide banks with comprehensive documentation including proof of delivery, IP addresses, and communication records
  • Accounts associated with fraudulent chargebacks will be permanently banned
  • We reserve the right to pursue legal action for fraudulent chargebacks

When Chargebacks Are Appropriate:

  • Unauthorized transaction (your card was stolen or used without permission)
  • You did not receive the product and we cannot provide proof of delivery
  • Product was significantly not as described and we refused a refund

When Chargebacks Are NOT Appropriate:

  • You changed your mind about a purchase (use our return policy instead)
  • You did not recognize the charge but did place the order
  • You are dissatisfied with a product (contact us for a resolution)
  • You did not cancel a subscription in time (contact us for a refund)
Before Filing a Chargeback:
 Please contact us first. We are committed to resolving all issues fairly and promptly. Most concerns can be addressed without involving your bank, which can be a lengthy and complicated process.

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8. Order Cancellation & Modifications

8.1 Customer-Initiated Cancellations

Before Shipment:

  • Contact us immediately at [email protected]
  • If your order has not been dispatched, we can usually cancel and issue a full refund
  • Once an order enters the shipping process, cancellation may not be possible

After Shipment:

  • Order cannot be cancelled
  • You may refuse delivery and contact us for a return and refund
  • Return shipping costs may apply (see Return & Refund Policy)
8.2 Mengotti Couture-Initiated Cancellations

We reserve the right to cancel orders and issue full refunds in the following circumstances:

  • Payment cannot be verified or processed
  • Suspected fraudulent activity
  • Product becomes unavailable after order placement
  • Pricing error or system malfunction
  • Customer fails to respond to verification requests
  • Violation of our Terms & Conditions

You will be notified by email if we cancel your order, and a full refund will be issued to your original payment method.

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9. International Payment Considerations

9.1 Currency Conversion

If you pay in a currency different from your card's native currency:

  • Your bank or card issuer will apply exchange rates
  • Additional foreign transaction fees may apply (typically 1-3%)
  • Exchange rates fluctuate and may differ from those displayed at checkout
  • Final charge on your statement may vary slightly due to rate changes

We recommend:

  • Checking with your bank about foreign transaction fees before ordering
  • Using a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees for international purchases
9.2 Cross-Border Payment Security

When paying from outside the UK or EU:

  • All security measures apply equally
  • Additional verification may be required due to cross-border fraud risk
  • Some banks flag international transactions—contact your bank before ordering to avoid declines
  • Ensure your card is enabled for international transactions

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10. Data Protection & Privacy

All payment data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws, including:

  • UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
  • Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2)
  • Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

Your Rights:

  • Access to your payment data
  • Correction of inaccurate information
  • Deletion of data (subject to legal retention requirements)
  • Objection to processing for certain purposes

For more information, see our Privacy Policy or contact [email protected].

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11. Reporting Fraud & Security Concerns

11.1 If You Suspect Fraud on Our Website

Report immediately to:
 Email: [email protected]
 Subject Line: "Security Concern – Fraud Report"

Include:

  • Description of the suspected fraud
  • Relevant URLs, emails, or screenshots
  • Any identifying information (order numbers, account details)
11.2 If You Believe Your Payment Information Was Compromised

Immediate Actions:

  1. Contact your bank or card issuer to report fraud and request a new card
  2. Change your password on mengotticouture.com and any other sites using the same password
  3. Enable fraud alerts with your financial institution
  4. Monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity
  5. Notify us at [email protected] so we can investigate

We take all reports seriously and will investigate thoroughly.

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12. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Payment Security & Fraud Policy to reflect:

  • Changes in payment technology
  • New security measures
  • Regulatory requirements
  • Evolving fraud prevention practices

Notification:

  • Material changes will be communicated via email or website notice
  • The "Last Updated" date will be revised for all changes

Your continued use of our website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

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13. Contact Information

For payment security questions, concerns, or assistance:

General Payment Inquiries:
 Email: [email protected]
 Subject Line: "Payment Inquiry"

Security & Fraud Concerns:
 Email: [email protected]
 Subject Line: "Security Concern"

Mailing Address:
 Mengotti Limited
 High Street, North East Ham
 London, United Kingdom
 E6 2JA

Company Registration: 12843996
 WhatsApp: +447588568699

Response Times:

  • General inquiries: Within 24-48 hours
  • Security concerns: Within 12-24 hours
  • Urgent fraud reports: Immediate priority response

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14. Final Note

At Mengotti Couture, security is not an afterthought—it is woven into every aspect of our operations. From the moment you browse our collections to the final confirmation of your order, we employ industry-leading technology and best practices to protect your financial information and ensure your complete peace of mind.

We understand that luxury purchases represent significant investments, and we are committed to providing not only exceptional products but also an environment of trust, security, and confidence.

Thank you for choosing Mengotti Couture. Your trust is our most valuable asset.

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