Can a Square Account Be Reactivated? Navigating the Nuances of Account Closure and Recovery
The short answer is: it depends. For certain Square services like Square for Retail Free or Square for Retail Plus, you can reactivate your account. However, if you’ve completely deactivated your Square Point of Sale account, you generally cannot reactivate it. You will need to create a new Square account if you decide to use Square again.
Understanding the difference between these scenarios is critical for any business owner relying on Square’s ecosystem. Let’s delve into the complexities and explore what your options are.
Understanding Account States: Deactivated vs. Inactive
Square offers various services, and the terminology surrounding account status can be confusing. It’s important to differentiate between an inactive account (which can often be reactivated) and a deactivated account (which usually cannot).
- Inactive Account: This typically applies to specific services within Square, like Square for Retail. If you stop using these services, your account becomes inactive, but the underlying Square account remains active. Reactivation is usually straightforward through your online Square Dashboard.
- Deactivated Account: This signifies a more permanent closure of your entire Square Point of Sale account. This process involves intentionally closing your account, and once completed, it’s generally irreversible.
Why Can’t Deactivated Accounts Always Be Reactivated?
The inability to reactivate a completely deactivated Square account stems from several factors:
- Data Security and Compliance: Permanently closing an account triggers processes that may involve deleting or anonymizing data for compliance and security reasons. Reactivating would require reversing these processes, which can be complex and risky.
- Account Integrity: To prevent fraud and maintain platform integrity, Square may restrict the reactivation of accounts that have been closed due to policy violations or security concerns.
- System Architecture: Square’s internal systems might not be designed to easily reinstate an account that has undergone the deactivation process.
What to Do If You Need to Use Square Again After Deactivation
If you’ve deactivated your Square Point of Sale account and need to start using Square again, your only option is to create a new Square account. The process involves:
- Signing Up: Visiting the Square website or using the Square app to create a new account.
- Providing Business Information: Entering your business details, including your legal name, address, and tax information.
- Linking a Bank Account: Connecting a bank account for receiving payouts from your Square transactions.
- Verification: Completing the verification process, which may involve providing identification documents.
What Happens to Funds When an Account is Deactivated?
A crucial aspect of deactivating a Square account is understanding what happens to your funds. Square typically places a hold on any funds you may have processed for 180 days after deactivation. This hold is in place to cover potential chargebacks or disputes.
After the hold period, any remaining funds in your Square balance will be returned to your linked bank account. It’s essential to ensure your bank account information is up-to-date before deactivating your account to avoid any delays in receiving your funds.
Reactivating a Team Member Account
The rules for a main Square account versus a team member account are different. Good news – reactivating a team member account is a simple procedure. Here’s how:
- Go to Staff > Team > Team members in your online Square Dashboard.
- Click the Status filter and click Inactive.
- Click on the team member’s name.
- Click the three-dotted actions drop-down menu and select Reactivate Team Member.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Square Account Reactivation
1. Can I reactivate my Square account if I only deactivated it temporarily?
It depends on the type of deactivation. If you deactivated a specific service like Square for Retail Free, reactivation is often possible through your online Square Dashboard. However, if you fully deactivated your Square Point of Sale account, you’ll likely need to create a new one.
2. How do I know if my account is deactivated or just inactive?
Log in to your online Square Dashboard. If you can access your account and navigate through most features but can’t process payments or access specific services, it’s likely inactive. If you can’t log in at all, or you receive a message indicating your account is closed, it’s likely deactivated.
3. What information do I need to create a new Square account?
You’ll need your business information, including your legal name, address, tax information (like your EIN or SSN), and a linked bank account. You’ll also need to complete the verification process, which may require identification documents.
4. How long does it take to create a new Square account?
The signup process itself usually takes a few minutes. However, the verification process can take longer, depending on Square’s review process and the accuracy of the information you provide.
5. Will I lose my transaction history if I deactivate my account?
Yes, when you deactivate your account you lose access to that transaction history. However, after 30 days, you will still have access to view your online Square Dashboard, but you will no longer be able to process any payment transactions using Square.
6. Can I use the same email address for my new Square account as my deactivated account?
Yes, you can typically use the same email address. However, it’s recommended to use a different password for security reasons.
7. What happens to my Square hardware if I deactivate my account?
Your Square hardware is yours to keep. You can use it with your new Square account or dispose of it responsibly.
8. How do I contact Square customer support if I have questions about my deactivated account?
You can contact Square customer support by calling 1 (855) 700-6000 or by visiting the Square website for other support options.
9. Can Square legally hold my money after I deactivate my account?
Yes, Square can legally hold your money for 180 days after deactivation to cover potential chargebacks or disputes. This is a standard practice in the payment processing industry.
10. What if I suspect my Square account was deactivated due to fraud?
Contact Square customer support immediately. They will investigate the issue and help you secure your account.
11. How do I avoid deactivating my Square account accidentally?
Be mindful of your account activity and avoid any actions that could violate Square’s terms of service. If you’re unsure about something, contact Square customer support for clarification.
12. Can I transfer my customer data from my old Square account to my new Square account?
Unfortunately, Square does not provide a direct way to migrate data from a deactivated account to a new one. You’ll need to manually re-enter your customer data or explore third-party tools that might be able to assist with data transfer. The Games Learning Society website has a variety of articles and research papers on the impacts and the ethical considerations of data migration and security.
13. Does Square charge any fees for reactivating an inactive account?
No, Square typically does not charge any fees for reactivating an inactive account for services like Square for Retail Free.
14. Is there a limit to the number of Square accounts I can create?
Square generally doesn’t impose a strict limit on the number of accounts you can create, but each account must be associated with a legitimate business and comply with Square’s terms of service.
15. What should I do if I am locked out of my Square account?
You can reset your password by clicking Forgot Password on the login screen and following the instructions. If you are still having trouble, you can use your phone number, a government issued ID and a selfie for verification.
Conclusion: Reactivation Realities
Navigating Square account deactivation and reactivation can be tricky. Remember the key difference: Reactivation is usually possible for specific services (like Square for Retail) but not for fully deactivated Square Point of Sale accounts. Understanding Square’s policies and carefully managing your account can help you avoid unnecessary disruptions to your business. If in doubt, always reach out to Square’s customer support for clarification and assistance. The educational work on digital identity over at GamesLearningSociety.org may be a useful resource in this area, too.