Setting Up Stripe Connect
Connect your bank account in 5 minutes and start receiving weekly payouts. Required before accepting your first booking.
Bank-Level Security with Stripe
Stripe is trusted by millions of businesses including Amazon, Shopify, and Lyft. They handle over $640 billion in transactions annually with 256-bit encryption and PCI-DSS Level 1 certification.
Your data is safe: CageList never sees your bank account or SSN. Everything is securely stored by Stripe.
7-Step Setup Process
Takes about 5 minutes total
1
Create Your Listing
Complete the 11-step listing wizard (takes ~10 minutes)
💡 You can skip Stripe initially and add it later
2
Receive Your First Booking Request
When someone wants to book your cage, you'll get a notification
💡 This is when you must connect Stripe to accept payments
3
Click "Connect Stripe" Button
Found in your host dashboard or the booking request notification
💡 Takes 5 minutes and works on mobile or desktop
4
Enter Your Business Information
Legal name, SSN (for tax reporting), business type (most hosts choose "Individual")
💡 Stripe encrypts all data - CageList never sees your SSN
5
Add Your Bank Account
Enter routing number and account number for direct deposits
💡 Stripe will make 2 small deposits (under $1) to verify your account
6
Verify Micro-Deposits (Optional)
Check your bank and confirm the 2 small deposit amounts
💡 This step is sometimes skipped with instant verification
7
You're Live!
Accept bookings and receive weekly payouts every Monday
💡 Funds arrive in your bank 1-2 business days after payout
What You'll Need
Gather these before starting
Legal Name
As it appears on tax documents
Date of Birth
For identity verification
Social Security Number (SSN)
Required for IRS tax reporting (1099-K)
Home Address
Your personal mailing address
Bank Routing Number
9-digit number (bottom left of check)
Bank Account Number
Checking or savings account
Phone Number
For 2-factor authentication
Common Issues & Fixes
❌ "We couldn't verify your identity"
Fix: Double-check your legal name matches your SSN exactly (middle initial matters!). If still failing, contact Stripe support - they respond within hours.
❌ "Your bank account couldn't be verified"
Fix: Confirm routing/account numbers are correct. Try manually verifying the micro-deposits (2 small deposits under $1) that Stripe sends to your account.
❌ "Restricted business activity"
Fix: Select "Individual" as business type (not Company) if you don't have an LLC. Describe your business as "Batting cage rental" not anything else.
Stripe Setup FAQs
Why does Stripe need my SSN?
Federal law requires Stripe to collect taxpayer information for identity verification and tax reporting. Stripe may issue a 1099-K when your account meets current IRS reporting thresholds. Your SSN is encrypted and never shared with CageList.
Can I use my business bank account?
Yes! If you have an LLC or business entity, you can use your business bank account. Just select "Company" instead of "Individual" during setup.
Is Stripe secure?
Stripe is the most trusted payment processor in the world, handling billions in transactions. They use bank-level encryption and are PCI-DSS compliant. Your data is safer than at most banks.
What if I don't have Stripe yet?
No problem! You can create your listing first and connect Stripe later. Once you get your first booking request, you'll be prompted to connect Stripe before accepting.
Can I change my bank account later?
Yes. Go to your host dashboard → Payment Settings → Update Bank Account. Changes take effect for the next payout cycle.
How long does verification take?
Many accounts are verified quickly. If Stripe needs more information, they will email you with the next steps.
Pro Tip: Set Up Before Your First Booking
While you can wait until you get a booking request, we recommend connecting Stripe right after creating your listing. This way, you can accept bookings without payout setup delaying your response.
Ready to Get Started?
Create your listing and we'll walk you through Stripe setup when you're ready.