> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.paynow.gg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.paynow.gg/customers/bans.md).

# Bans

A ban prevents someone buying from your store. It does not take away what they already bought.

*Dashboard → Access → Bans. Needs `ban_read`.*

## Creating a ban

1. Go to **Access → Bans**.
2. Click **Create**.
3. In **Create a Ban**:
   * Enter a **reason**. Internal only, never shown to the customer.
   * Optionally set an **expiration date**. Blank means permanent.
   * Select the **identity type**.
   * Click **Add Identity** to ban several identifiers at once.
4. Click **Create**.

The Bans page does not pre-fill customer information, so you have to type the identifier yourself. Banning from the [customer's own page](/customers/managing-customers.md#banning-a-customer) is usually easier.

## Identity types

| Type              | Bans                                   | Notes                                                                                                                  |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Customer**      | A specific customer account            | The normal choice.                                                                                                     |
| **Customer Name** | Anyone using that name                 | **Not recommended.** Names change, so it misses the target and catches innocent people.                                |
| **Steam ID**      | Their Steam account                    | Strong. Survives name changes.                                                                                         |
| **IP Address**    | Everyone on that IP                    | Use sparingly. Shared and dynamic IPs catch bystanders.                                                                |
| **Payment Email** | The email attached to a payment method | Stops a banned customer creating a new account and paying with the same card. **Works across all payment processors.** |

Payment Email is the one that stops repeat offenders. Account and Steam bans are defeated by making a new account; the payment method is harder to change, and someone committing chargeback fraud usually has one card. For a serious case, add several identities to one ban: the customer, their Steam ID, and their payment email.

## What a ban does and does not do

|                                                                  |                                                                                     |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ✅ Blocks new purchases                                           |                                                                                     |
| ✅ Shows a red banner on their customer page for staff            |                                                                                     |
| ✅ May show them an error at checkout, depending on your template |                                                                                     |
| ❌ **Does not revoke existing purchases**                         | Revoke manually from their [inventory](/customers/managing-customers.md#inventory)  |
| ❌ **Does not cancel active subscriptions**                       | Cancel them manually in [Subscriptions](/orders-and-subscriptions/subscriptions.md) |
| ❌ **Does not apply to other PayNow stores**                      | Bans are per store                                                                  |

{% hint style="danger" %}
**A ban on its own leaves an active subscriber still being billed and still holding their perks.** A chargeback case usually needs three actions: ban the customer, ideally including their payment email; revoke the items from their inventory; and cancel any active subscriptions. Doing only the first is the common mistake, and it leaves them with everything.
{% endhint %}

## Viewing and managing bans

The Bans page lists banned identities, the reason, the ban ID, and when it was last updated. Filter using **Ban Identifier** to search for a customer, Steam ID or IP.

<figure><img src="/files/XMg6p9wdekmFtIDZ2vfG" alt="The Bans page listing banned identities with reasons and ban IDs."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To change or lift a ban, find it in the list and click **View Ban**. In **Edit Ban** you can modify the reason, expiration or identities, or click **Unban** and confirm. Click **Update** to save. Bans with an expiration date lift automatically when they expire.