PCI-DSS compliance is one of the most important responsibilities for any business that accepts payment cards. It protects both your clients and your studio from the risks of fraud, data breaches, and unnecessary fees. This guide will give you a strong foundation for understanding PCI-DSS, who it applies to, why it matters, and how Keep the Fees simplifies the entire process for you.
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What is PCI-DSS?
PCI-DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. That might sound complicated, but here’s what it really means: it’s a set of rules that every business must follow to keep credit and debit card payments safe.
Any time someone swipes, taps, or enters their card information whether at your shop, through your booking system, or using a payment link.This standard ensures that information is protected.
PCI-DSS sets security requirements for how payment data is:
Collected (like entering card info on a checkout page)
Stored (if it’s saved temporarily)
Transmitted (how it moves from your system to the processor)
The purpose is to prevent hackers from stealing card numbers and personal details, and to keep your business and your clients safe.
There are different versions of PCI standards depending on what your role in the payment process is:
Merchants (like tattoo shops, retail stores, or service providers) must follow these rules to keep their card transactions safe.
Software developers and technology providers follow another version of the standard to make sure the tools they build are secure and trustworthy.
If your shop takes card payments in any way, PCI-DSS applies to you.
Merchants, service providers, and financial institutions use these standards to secure their business operations.
Developers, technology vendors, and solution providers use them to build secure platforms and tools.
Who Needs PCI-DSS Compliance?
The short answer? Anyone who takes card payments.
That means if you:
Use a card reader in your shop
Accept deposits through an online form
Process payments with Clover, Square, Stripe, or any other system
Then you’re responsible for making sure that card information is handled securely.
Even if you don’t physically store card data, you’re still responsible for using secure systems and safe processes and that’s exactly what PCI-DSS is there to check for.
Think of it like a hygiene standard for money. Just like you clean your station to prevent infections, PCI is the digital version that protects your client’s card info.
Online businesses using payment portals
Whether you're swiping a card at the register or accepting deposits online, PCI-DSS compliance is a requirement, not an option.
Even if you don’t store card data, you're still responsible for ensuring the systems you use are secure and that best practices are followed.
Why Is PCI-DSS Compliance Important?
Being PCI compliant isn’t just a formality, it’s how you protect your clients and your shop from fraud, fines, and lost trust.
Here’s why it matters:
It protects your clients’ payment info so they can trust you with their card.
It protects you from getting fined or being held responsible if something goes wrong.
It helps avoid extra fees that processors charge if you’re not compliant.
It keeps your business running smoothly without payment disruptions.
If you're not compliant, your processor might still let you take payments but they’ll charge you for it. These fees are called non-compliance fees and they can stack up fast.
Compliance shows that you run a secure, professional operation and clients feel safer booking with you.
What Happens If You're Not Compliant?
If you don’t meet PCI-DSS requirements, your payment processor will charge you a Non-Compliance Fee. This is basically a penalty for not completing your security requirements.
Here’s how it works:
When you first sign up, you get a 90-day grace period to become compliant.
If you don’t complete the compliance process in that window, the processor will begin charging a fee every month until it’s done.
You might also be charged again later if you miss your required quarterly or annual scans (depending on your processor).
These fees are easy to avoid but if ignored, they can quietly cost your shop hundreds of dollars a year.
And even worse, if there's ever a security issue and you're found to be non-compliant, you could be liable for damages. That’s why taking care of it early is a smart move.
Payment Processors We Work With
Keep the Fees partners with secure, industry-leading processors who enforce PCI-DSS standards:
SignaPay
Newtek (Clover Security)
Quantum Epay
Aurora Payments
WOW Payments
Each processor may have slightly different compliance requirements, but all of them are subject to PCI-DSS regulations.
How Keep the Fees Helps You Stay Compliant
We know this stuff can feel technical and honestly, kind of intimidating. That’s why Keep the Fees takes the pressure off you. We have a dedicated PCI compliance support team ready to help from the moment you start using the app.
Here's how we make it easy:
We handle your compliance process for you. Our PCI team manages the entire process on your behalf, keeping you informed along the way. You don’t need to worry about paperwork or technical steps, we’ll take care of it, and make sure you know what’s happening and why.
No extra fees. Most providers charge to help with compliance, we don't. Our help is part of your account.
Real humans to talk to. Have a question? DM us in the app or send a quick email to [email protected]and someone from our PCI team will help you out.
We remind you before scans are due. You won’t have to remember deadlines, we’ll nudge you when something needs your attention.
We take security seriously, and we make sure our artists and studios don’t get lost in the tech. With us, you’re not left to figure it out alone and that’s what makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts
PCI-DSS compliance doesn’t need to be overwhelming. At its core, it’s about protecting your clients and your business and doing so in a way that’s simple, secure, and smart.
With Keep the Fees, you have a partner who makes the process easy, answers your questions quickly, and keeps your shop on track. Whether you’re a single artist or a large studio, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re ever unsure or need help, our PCI support team is just a message away.