Payment Security & Fraud Prevention Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This Policy explains how KWR processes payments, verifies transactions, protects Customers, and responds to suspected fraud, payment irregularities, chargebacks, and related financial-security concerns.

2. Guiding Principles

Security measures are intended to protect legitimate Customers and KWR from fraud, identity theft, unauthorized transactions, account compromise, and financial loss. Most controls are designed to operate quietly in the background without creating unnecessary barriers.

3. Accepted Payment Methods and Availability of Funds

KWR accepts approved payment methods identified at the time of the transaction. Availability may vary by transaction type, amount, and payment-processor requirements. Payment is considered received when successfully processed and reasonably available to KWR.

4. Deposits and Progress Payments

Deposits are required before KWR procures Products, materials, custom components, or specialty items for a Customer project. Certain projects may also require deposits or progress payments before scheduling, reserving shop time, beginning engineering, or reaching defined milestones.

5. Final Payment and Deliverables

Payment for completed Products and Services is due before Vehicle release, Product shipment, transfer of completed work, or delivery of electronic files unless a Separate Written Agreement provides otherwise. Partial payment does not require release of completed work or property unless specifically agreed in writing.

6. Identity and Transaction Verification

KWR may verify purchaser identity before releasing Products, Vehicles, electronic deliverables, refunds, or other property. Verification may include government-issued identification, billing and shipping information, payment verification, telephone or email confirmation, Customer Portal authentication, or other commercially reasonable methods.

7. Qualified Third-Party Fraud Prevention Services

In addition to merchant-service security tools, KWR may use multiple qualified third-party identity verification, fraud detection, risk assessment, address verification, card verification, and transaction verification services. These services help confirm transaction authenticity and protect both Customer identity and KWR. KWR does not publicly disclose specific verification methods, risk thresholds, fraud-detection criteria, or internal security procedures because doing so could reduce their effectiveness.

8. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

Customers are encouraged to contact KWR directly regarding invoice, payment, shipping, warranty, or service concerns before initiating a formal payment dispute when reasonably possible. Chargebacks should not be used as a substitute for direct communication regarding matters that can be resolved through the applicable KWR process. Business Records may be used where appropriate to respond to payment disputes, chargebacks, fraud investigations, or legal proceedings, including Estimates, authorizations, invoices, shipping records, photographs, communications, Progress Records, and verification information.

9. Returned or Reversed Payments

If a payment is returned, declined, reversed, or becomes unavailable after Products or Services have been authorized, KWR may suspend further work or release until the issue is resolved. KWR will normally provide an opportunity to resolve the issue unless circumstances reasonably suggest fraud or unauthorized activity.

10. Refund Processing

When a refund is approved under the applicable agreement or Returns & Refunds Policy, KWR will initiate the refund within one (1) business day using the original payment method whenever reasonably practicable. Time for funds to appear in the Customer's account thereafter is controlled by the payment processor, financial institution, card issuer, or other third-party system.

11. Customer Information

Customer information is collected and used only as reasonably necessary to provide Products and Services, process transactions, maintain Business Records, comply with legal obligations, and protect legitimate Customer and KWR interests. KWR does not sell, rent, license, trade, or otherwise monetize Customer personal information to advertisers, marketing companies, data brokers, or other third parties.

12. Administration

This Policy should be read with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Returns & Refunds Policy, and applicable transaction documents.