Terms of Service | Susu

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using Susu ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access the Service.

Susu is operated by JoinSusu LLC ("Company", "we", "us", or "our"). The Service provides a platform for organizing and managing rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs), target savings groups, and community funds through our mobile application.

2. Electronic Agreement

By creating an account, making a contribution, or otherwise using the Service, you consent to entering into these Terms electronically. You agree that your electronic acceptance constitutes your signature and has the same legal force as a handwritten signature.

You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. You have the right to receive these Terms in non-electronic form. To request a paper copy, contact us at legal@joinsusu.co.

To use the Service, you must have a compatible device, internet access, and a valid email address. You are responsible for any charges from your internet or mobile service provider.

3. Eligibility

To use Susu, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
Reside in a jurisdiction where our Service is available
Provide accurate and complete registration information
Complete identity verification (KYC) when required
Not have been previously banned from the Service

4. Account Registration

Account Creation: You must create an account to use the Service. You agree to:

Provide accurate, current, and complete information
Maintain and promptly update your account information
Maintain the security of your password
Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
Immediately notify us of any unauthorized use

Identity Verification: We use Stripe Identity for KYC compliance. You may be required to provide government-issued identification and other documentation. Failure to complete verification may limit your access to certain features, including receiving payouts.

5. User Representations and Warranties

By using Susu, you represent and warrant that:

All information you provide is accurate, current, and complete
You have the legal right and authority to enter into these Terms
You are not impersonating any person or entity
Your use of the Service will not violate any applicable law or regulation
You will not use the Service for money laundering, fraud, or other illegal activities
You have not been convicted of any financial crime or fraud
All funds you contribute come from legitimate sources
You accept sole responsibility for your participation in savings circles

You understand that we rely on these representations in providing you access to the Service. Any breach of these warranties may result in immediate termination of your account and potential legal action.

6. Services Provided

Susu provides the following services:

6.1 Circle Types

Rotating Circles: Members contribute regularly; each member receives a payout in rotation
Target Circles: Members save together toward a shared financial goal
Community Funds: Ongoing savings pools for community support

6.2 Payment Processing

All payments are processed through Stripe. We act as a facilitator and do not directly handle funds. Contributions are collected via Stripe and distributed to recipients when the period is fully funded.

Payout conditions (clarification of "guaranteed payouts"): Payouts are released only when the relevant period is fully funded, the underlying payments have settled (no bank reversals/chargebacks), and no compliance holds are in place. We do not advance or front payouts. If contributions are missing, reversed, or under review, the payout may be delayed or limited to the available collected balance.

6.3 Features

Automated contribution collection
Real-time tracking and notifications
Secure payout distribution
Circle chat and activity feed
Payment reminders and alerts

7. Fees and Pricing

7.1 Platform Fee

Susu charges a flat platform fee per member, per contribution period:

Integrated Payments (automatic via app):

$3.00 USD per member per period
EUR 3.00 | GBP 2.50 | CAD 4.00
Fee is bundled with your contribution payment

Manual Tracking (ROTATING circles only):

$2.00 USD per member per period
EUR 2.00 | GBP 1.50 | CAD 2.50
Fee is charged separately at the start of each period
Requires a saved payment method

Important:

Fees are non-refundable once charged
Recipients receive the full payout amount (no deductions)
Fees are charged even for skipped contribution periods
Outstanding fee balances must be cleared before joining new circles

Example: In a 5-member circle with integrated payments, each member pays a $3 platform fee per period. The payout recipient receives the full $500 (5 x $100 contributions) with no deduction.

7.2 Payment Processing Fees

Payment processing fees are charged by Stripe and vary by payment method:

ACH Bank Transfer (US): 0.8% (capped at $5.00)
SEPA Direct Debit (EU): 0.8% + $0.30 (capped at $6.00)
Bacs Direct Debit (UK): 1% (capped at GBP 2.00)
Debit Card: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Credit Card: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

7.3 Instant Payout Fee

If you choose to receive your payout instantly (instead of standard 2-3 business days):

Instant Transfer Fee: 1.0% to 1.5% of the payout amount (varies by region)
1.5% for US, Australia, New Zealand, UAE
1.0% for Canada, EU, UK, Singapore, Norway, Malaysia
Available only for debit card transfers
Funds typically arrive within 30 minutes

7.4 Failed Payment Fees

If a bank debit payment fails (e.g., insufficient funds, account closed):

ACH (US): $8.00 per failed payment
SEPA (EU): EUR 7.50 per failed payment
Bacs (UK): GBP 6.50 per failed payment
PAD (Canada): CAD 11.00 per failed payment

You will receive notification and opportunity to retry with a different payment method. Repeated failures may result in removal from the circle.

7.5 Bank Debit Dispute Fees

If you dispute a bank debit payment with your bank:

ACH (US): $20.00 per disputed payment
SEPA (EU): EUR 18.50 per disputed payment
Bacs (UK): GBP 16.00 per disputed payment
PAD (Canada): CAD 27.00 per disputed payment

These fees cover administrative and banking costs associated with dispute resolution. Fraudulent disputes may result in account suspension and legal action.

7.6 Fee Disclosure

All applicable fees are displayed before you confirm any transaction. You will always know the exact amount you will pay or receive before completing an action.

8. User Responsibilities

8.1 Contribution Obligations

When you join a circle, you commit to:

Making all scheduled contributions on time
Maintaining sufficient funds in your linked payment method
Honoring your commitment for the circle's full duration
Communicating with other members about any issues

8.2 Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to:

Use the Service for illegal purposes
Commit fraud or misrepresent information
Create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions
Harass, abuse, or threaten other users
Attempt to manipulate or game the trust scoring system
Share account credentials with others
Reverse engineer or attempt to access our systems
Use automated systems (bots) to interact with the Service

8.3 Tax Responsibility

You are responsible for determining what, if any, taxes apply to your participation in circles. We do not provide tax advice. Consult a tax professional for guidance.

9. Payouts and Funds

9.1 Payout Timing

Standard Payouts: Processed within 2-3 business days after all contributions for a period are collected
Instant Payouts: Available for an additional fee (typically within 30 minutes)
30-Day Hold Period: First-time users may experience a hold period for fraud prevention

9.2 Fund Handling

All contributions are collected and distributed through Stripe. We do not commingle member funds with our operating funds. Collected contributions are distributed to the designated recipient when the period is fully funded and payments have cleared.

9.3 Refunds

Refunds are available in limited circumstances:

Circle is cancelled before it starts (full refund)
You withdraw before the circle starts (full refund minus payment processing fees)
Service error or technical failure (full refund)
Platform fees are non-refundable once charged

10. Trust Score System

Susu uses a trust scoring system to promote reliability:

Score Range: 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater reliability
Factors: On-time payments, completion rate, verification status, account age
Tiers: Starter (0-39), Bronze (40-59), Silver (60-79), Gold (80-89), Platinum (90-100)
Visibility: Your tier badge is visible to other members
Impact: Higher scores may unlock larger circle limits and better features

10A. Rewards and Promotions

Susu offers reward programs to recognize and incentivize positive behavior within our community.

10A.1 Organizer Rewards Program

Circle organizers who successfully manage rotating circles may be eligible for rewards:

Reward Amount: Rewards range from $10 to $100 based on circle size and activity
Eligibility: Only rotating circles qualify. The circle must complete successfully with all contributions collected
Payment: Rewards are paid out directly to your linked bank account via Stripe
Tax Responsibility: You are responsible for any taxes on reward income

Full terms and conditions for the Organizer Rewards program are available in the app under Settings > Promotion Terms.

10A.2 Referral Rewards Program

Existing users can earn rewards by referring new users to Susu:

Reward Amount: $15 per qualified referral
Qualification: The referred user must complete 2 payouts totaling at least $100 within 12 months of signup
Link Expiry: Referral links expire 30 days after generation
Restrictions: Self-referrals and circular referrals are not permitted
Clawback: Rewards may be reversed if referred user's payouts are disputed or reversed
Payment: Rewards are paid to your linked bank account, processed weekly on Fridays
Tax Responsibility: You are responsible for any taxes on referral reward income

Only the referring user receives a reward. Per platform policies, referred users do not receive signup bonuses.

10A.3 General Promotion Terms

Promotional programs may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time without notice
Rewards are subject to verification and may be reversed if obtained fraudulently
JoinSusu reserves the right to disqualify users who abuse promotional programs
Rewards have no cash value and cannot be transferred to other users
Program-specific terms in the app take precedence over these general terms

11. Disputes and Chargebacks

11.1 Dispute Resolution

If issues arise within a circle:

First, attempt to resolve directly with circle members
If unresolved, contact our support team at support@joinsusu.co
We will investigate and mediate disputes
Our decision is final and binding

11.2 Chargebacks

Initiating a chargeback for a legitimate contribution may result in:

Immediate suspension of your account
Negative impact on your trust score
Removal from all active circles
Potential legal action to recover funds

12. Liability and Disclaimers

12.1 Service "As Is"

The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free, or secure operation.

12.2 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, JoinSusu LLC shall not be liable for:

Indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
Loss of profits, revenue, or data
Damages arising from user disputes
Damages exceeding the fees you paid to us in the past 12 months

12.3 User Relationships

We are not a party to agreements between circle members. We provide the platform only. You are responsible for choosing trustworthy circle members and managing your commitments.

13. Privacy and Data

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Service, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

14. Termination

14.1 By You

You may close your account at any time. However, you remain responsible for all commitments in active circles. You cannot delete your account while you have outstanding obligations.

14.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if:

You violate these Terms
You engage in fraudulent activity
Your account poses a security risk
Required by law or regulation
We cease operations

We will provide notice when possible, but we reserve the right to terminate immediately for serious violations.

15. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via:

Email notification
In-app notification
Notice on our website

Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance. If you disagree with changes, you must stop using the Service.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, or in state or federal courts located in King County, Washington.

17. Intellectual Property Rights

17.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service and all content, features, and functionality (including but not limited to all information, software, text, displays, images, video, audio, and the design, selection, and arrangement thereof) are owned by JoinSusu LLC, its licensors, or other providers and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

The JoinSusu name, logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of JoinSusu LLC. You may not use such marks without our prior written permission.

17.2 License to Use Service

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of the Service or its contents; any collection and use of any product listings, descriptions, or prices; any derivative use of the Service; or any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering tools.

17.3 User Content

By posting content to the Service (including circle names, chat messages, and profile information), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, copy, modify, and display such content in connection with operating the Service.

You retain ownership of your content but are solely responsible for ensuring it does not violate any third party's rights or any applicable laws.

18. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless JoinSusu LLC, its affiliates, licensors, and service providers, and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, licensors, suppliers, successors, and assigns from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

Your violation of these Terms
Your use of the Service, including any content you post
Your violation of any third party's rights, including intellectual property rights
Any dispute between you and other circle members
Your failure to make contributions as agreed
Any fraudulent or illegal activity conducted through your account

We reserve the right, at our own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you. You agree to cooperate with our defense of such claims.

19. Force Majeure

JoinSusu LLC shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from causes outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Acts of God, natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, or severe weather
War, terrorism, civil unrest, or government actions
Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies
Power outages, internet failures, or telecommunications disruptions
Third-party service provider failures (including Stripe)
Banking system failures or delays
Labor disputes or strikes

If a force majeure event occurs, we will make reasonable efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable. Payout schedules may be delayed until normal operations can resume.

20. Export Controls and Sanctions

You represent and warrant that:

You are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any country subject to U.S. trade sanctions (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine)
You are not on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties, including the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals List or the Commerce Department's Denied Persons List
You will not use the Service to transfer funds to any person or entity in violation of U.S. export controls or sanctions laws

We may immediately terminate your account if we determine that your use of the Service may violate any export control or sanctions law.

21. Third-Party Services and Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications that are not owned or controlled by JoinSusu LLC. We use the following third-party services:

Stripe: Payment processing, identity verification, and fund management
Firebase/Supabase: Authentication and data storage
Analytics providers: App usage analytics

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. You acknowledge and agree that we shall not be responsible for any damage or loss caused by your use of any third-party service.

Your use of third-party services is subject to those services' own terms and privacy policies.

22. Account Dormancy

An account is considered dormant if:

No login activity for 12 consecutive months
No active circle participation
No pending payouts or contributions

For dormant accounts with a balance:

We will attempt to contact you via email and push notification
After 30 days without response, funds may be returned to your linked bank account
If return is not possible, funds will be handled according to applicable unclaimed property laws

We reserve the right to close dormant accounts after 24 months of inactivity. You will receive notice before any account closure.

23. Communications

23.1 Required Communications

By creating an account, you agree to receive transactional communications from us, including: contribution reminders, payout notifications, security alerts, and important service updates. These communications are essential to the Service and cannot be opted out of while maintaining an account.

23.2 Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send promotional communications about new features, tips, and special offers. You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

Using the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
Adjusting your notification preferences in the app settings
Contacting us at support@joinsusu.co

24. California Residents

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Please see our Privacy Policy for details on your California privacy rights.

Under California Civil Code Section 1789.3, California users are entitled to the following consumer rights notice: The Service is provided by JoinSusu LLC. If you have questions or complaints, contact us at legal@joinsusu.co. California residents may reach the Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs at 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N112, Sacramento, CA 95834, or by telephone at (800) 952-5210.

Waiver of California Civil Code Section 1542: In connection with any releases contained in these Terms, you expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides: "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor."

25. Binding Arbitration Agreement

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.

25.1 Agreement to Arbitrate

You and JoinSusu LLC agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service (including any disputes regarding the existence, validity, or termination of this agreement to arbitrate) will be resolved by binding individual arbitration rather than in court, except that either party may bring claims in small claims court if they qualify.

25.2 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND JOINSUSU LLC AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. Unless both parties agree, no arbitrator may consolidate more than one person's claims or otherwise preside over any form of class or representative proceeding.

25.3 Arbitration Procedures

Arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be held in King County, Washington, or at another mutually agreed location, or via telephone/video conference.

For claims of $10,000 or less, you may choose whether the arbitration proceeds in person, by telephone, or based only on written submissions. JoinSusu will pay all AAA filing fees for claims under $10,000. For claims over $10,000, filing fees will be split according to AAA rules.

25.4 Opt-Out Right

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to legal@joinsusu.co within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include your name, address, email, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration. If you opt out, you may pursue claims in court, but you still waive any right to participate in a class action.

25.5 Exceptions

Notwithstanding the above, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights or to address imminent harm.

26. Miscellaneous

26.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other agreements expressly incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and JoinSusu LLC regarding your use of the Service.

26.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

26.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by JoinSusu LLC.

26.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

26.5 Third-Party Beneficiaries

These Terms do not confer any third-party beneficiary rights. No person or entity not a party to these Terms shall have any right to enforce any provision of these Terms.

27. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

JoinSusu LLC

Email: legal@joinsusu.co

Support: support@joinsusu.co

Website: https://www.joinsusu.co

28. Acknowledgment

By using Susu, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. You also acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and Acceptable Use Policy.