Where your money goes.
Every deal payment goes through Stripe. Here is where it sits at each step, who can move it, and who runs HotInfluencer.
Stripe checkout
The brand pays on Stripe
Checkout opens on Stripe's own page (checkout.stripe.com). Card and bank details go straight to Stripe; we never see them. Stripe emails the brand a receipt.
Our Stripe account
Held while the creator works
The payment stays in our Stripe account, not our bank account, as the creator's payment collection agent. The deal shows Funds secured. Neither side can withdraw it while the deal is in progress.
The creator's Stripe account
Released on approval
When the work is approved, we transfer the price minus our platform fee to the creator's own Stripe account, in their name. They can see it in their Stripe dashboard.
The creator's bank
Paid out by Stripe
Stripe pays it to the creator's bank account on their Stripe payout schedule.
If a deal is cancelled or a dispute goes the brand's way before release, the payment goes back to the brand instead, minus Stripe's processing fee.
Who can move it
Release needs approval
Money is released only when the brand approves, when the review period ends without a reply, or when we decide a dispute.
A code, not just a link
Approving or disputing needs a one-time code sent to the brand's email, so someone with a forwarded link can't move money.
It can only go two ways
A held payment goes to the creator on the deal, or back to the brand. Refunds return the payment minus Stripe's processing fee, which Stripe keeps.
Every step on record
Each payment, transfer and refund is a Stripe transaction, and the deal page logs every approval, request and decision.
What we never have
Full card numbers or bank account numbers. They're entered with Stripe, not with us.
A brand's money in our bank account while a deal is open.
Interest on held payments. A held payment isn't a deposit, and we're not a bank.
The full rules are in the Payment Protection Policy and the Terms of Service.
Who runs HotInfluencer
HotInfluencer is run by Hot Influencer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, founded by Eric Blair.
1550 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy Ste 537, Henderson, NV 89012, USAsupport@hotinfluencer.com
Questions
Does Stripe hold the money?
The payment is held in HotInfluencer's Stripe account. Stripe processes the payment and the transfers; we decide when to release or refund it, following the deal terms and our Payment Protection Policy.
How do I know a payment is real?
Brands get a receipt from Stripe by email. Creators see Funds secured on the deal once the payment clears, and every release arrives in their own Stripe dashboard. Don't start work on a deal that doesn't show Funds secured.
Does HotInfluencer keep any of the payment?
Only the fees shown on the deal before anyone pays. The rest goes to the creator or back to the brand. We may hold a release while we check for fraud or meet a legal requirement, as the Payment Protection Policy explains.
Who do I contact if something goes wrong?
Email support@hotinfluencer.com. Either side can also open a dispute from the deal page, which pauses the deal so no money moves until it's decided.
Paid up front, released on approval.
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