MCC Code Check

The MCC Code Check (kyb.mcc_code_check_v3) analyzes a business’s online presence, products, and services to determine the most appropriate Merchant Category Code (MCC) for payment processing and risk assessment.

Overview

Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) are four-digit numbers used by credit card networks to classify businesses. This check:

Analyzes business description and stated activities
Reviews website content and web presence data
Identifies products and services offered
Cross-references against the official MCC code database
Provides alternative MCC candidates with reasoning

Check ID

kyb.mcc_code_check_v3

Response Schema

The check result payload uses the MCCCodeCheckResultV2 schema:

Primary Fields

type

string

required

Always "MCCCodeCheckResultV2" - identifies the payload type.

mcc_code

string

The determined 4-digit Merchant Category Code.Example: "7372"

mcc_title

string

The official title for the MCC code.Example: "Computer Programming Services"

mcc_code_description

string

Full description of what businesses typically fall under this MCC code.Example:

"Merchants classified with this MCC provide computer programming services, systems design, website design, data entry, and data processing services."

sub_mcc_category

string

Optional sub-category for more specific classification (used when customer-specific MCC mappings are configured).Example: "Butcher Shop"

source_id

string

Reference ID for the data source that supported this MCC determination.

Candidate MCC Codes

candidate_mcc_codes

array

List of alternative MCC codes that were considered, with reasoning.

Show Candidate MCC Code Object

code

integer

required

The 4-digit MCC code.Example: 7372

title

string

required

The official title for this MCC code.Example: "Computer Programming Services"

short_reason

string

Brief explanation of why this MCC was considered a candidate.Example:

"Primary match - Business develops AI-powered software solutions involving computer programming, systems design, and data processing services."

source_id

string

Reference ID for the data source supporting this candidate.Example: "owfzyz"

Example Response

The check result includes a wrapper with metadata and the payload containing the MCC classification:

{
  "command_id": "kyb.mcc_code_check_v3",
  "command_name": "MCC Code Check",
  "status": "complete",
  "passed": true,
  "recommendation": "7372",
  "explanation": "The analysis determined MCC 7372 (Computer Programming Services) as the most accurate classification based on the business's primary activities in software development and data processing...",
  "payload": {
    "type": "MCCCodeCheckResultV2",
    "mcc_code": "7372",
    "mcc_title": "Computer Programming Services",
    "mcc_code_description": "Merchants classified with this MCC provide computer programming services, systems design, website design, data entry, and data processing services.",
    "candidate_mcc_codes": [
      {
        "code": 7372,
        "title": "Computer Programming Services",
        "short_reason": "Primary match - Business develops AI-powered software solutions involving computer programming, systems design, and data processing services.",
        "source_id": "owfzyz"
      },
      {
        "code": 7379,
        "title": "Computer Related Services",
        "short_reason": "Secondary consideration - Could apply for consulting aspects but less specific than 7372 for their software development focus.",
        "source_id": "schjuw"
      }
    ],
    "sub_mcc_category": null,
    "source_id": "owfzyz"
  },
  "alerts": {}
}

Extracting MCC Data with JSONPath

Use the jsonpath_query parameter with getJobById to extract specific MCC check data.

Get Full MCC Check Result

curl -X GET 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobById?job_id=YOUR_JOB_ID&include_check_results=true&jsonpath_query=$.check_results[?(@.command_id=="kyb.mcc_code_check_v3")]' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'

Get Just the MCC Code Payload

curl -X GET 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobById?job_id=YOUR_JOB_ID&include_check_results=true&jsonpath_query=$.check_results[?(@.command_id=="kyb.mcc_code_check_v3")].payload' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'

Example Response:

[
  {
    "type": "MCCCodeCheckResultV2",
    "mcc_code": "7372",
    "mcc_title": "Computer Programming Services",
    "mcc_code_description": "Merchants classified with this MCC provide computer programming services...",
    "candidate_mcc_codes": [...],
    "sub_mcc_category": null,
    "source_id": "web_profile_1"
  }
]

Get MCC Code Only

curl -X GET 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobById?job_id=YOUR_JOB_ID&include_check_results=true&jsonpath_query=$.check_results[?(@.command_id=="kyb.mcc_code_check_v3")].payload.mcc_code' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'

Example Response:

["7372"]

Get All Candidate MCC Codes

curl -X GET 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobById?job_id=YOUR_JOB_ID&include_check_results=true&jsonpath_query=$.check_results[?(@.command_id=="kyb.mcc_code_check_v3")].payload.candidate_mcc_codes[*]' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'

Python Example

import requests
from urllib.parse import quote

api_key = 'YOUR_API_KEY'
job_id = 'YOUR_JOB_ID'

# Get MCC code payload using JSONPath
jsonpath_query = '$.check_results[?(@.command_id=="kyb.mcc_code_check_v3")].payload'
url = f'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobById?job_id={job_id}&include_check_results=true&jsonpath_query={quote(jsonpath_query)}'

headers = {'Authorization': f'Bearer {api_key}'}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)

mcc_result = response.json()
if mcc_result:
    payload = mcc_result[0]
    print(f"MCC Code: {payload['mcc_code']}")
    print(f"Title: {payload['mcc_title']}")
    print(f"Description: {payload['mcc_code_description']}")

Running the Check

Using startKYBAgentJob

curl -X POST 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYBAgentJob' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "agent_key": "public-bdd",
    "kyb_schema": {
      "id": "mcc-check-001",
      "self_attested_data": {
        "business_name": "CloudTech Solutions",
        "description": "We provide cloud-based software solutions for small businesses, including accounting software, CRM tools, and project management platforms delivered as SaaS",
        "website": "https://cloudtech.example",
        "industry": "Software as a Service"
      }
    }
  }'

Using runCheck (Single Check)

curl -X POST 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/runCheck' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "agent_key": "your-agent-key",
    "kyb_schema": {
      "id": "unique-case-id",
      "self_attested_data": {
        "business_name": "TechInnovate Solutions",
        "description": "Providing cutting-edge software solutions for businesses",
        "website": "https://techinnovatesolutions.com"
      }
    },
    "check_id": "kyb.mcc_code_check_v3",
    "webhook_url": "https://your-webhook-url.com/callback"
  }'

Input Parameters

The check uses the following input fields:

business_name

string

required

The legal or operating name of the business.

description

string

required

A detailed description of the business’s activities, products, and services. More detail leads to more accurate MCC classification.

business_use_case

string

The primary business activity or use case. This field takes priority when determining the MCC code.

website

string

The official website URL. The check will analyze website content for additional context.

industry

string

Self-attested industry or business category.

mcc_code

string

Self-attested MCC code to verify. If provided, the check will compare against the determined MCC and note any discrepancies.

Common MCC Codes

Code	Title	Description
7372	Computer Programming Services	Custom software development, web design, data processing
7371	Computer Programming, Data Processing, and Integrated Systems Design	Systems integration, data processing services
7379	Computer Maintenance, Repair and Services	IT consulting, maintenance, support services
5734	Computer Software Stores	Software retail, SaaS products
5999	Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Stores	General e-commerce, online retail
7311	Advertising Agencies	Digital marketing, advertising services
5812	Eating Places and Restaurants	Restaurants, food service
5411	Grocery Stores, Supermarkets	Food retail

High-Risk MCC Codes

The following MCC codes are flagged as high-risk by default (configurable per agent):

Code	Title	Risk Factors
7995	Gambling/Casino Services	Regulatory requirements, high chargeback risk
5993	Tobacco Stores and Stands	Age restrictions, regulatory compliance
5963	Door-To-Door Sales	High fraud and chargeback rates
4829	Money Transfer Services	MSB licensing, AML requirements
6211	Securities Brokers/Dealers	Financial services licensing
6051	Non-Financial Institutions	Money services, currency exchange
6012	Financial Institutions	Regulatory compliance, licensing
6540	POI Funding Transactions	Prepaid card funding, AML concerns
7273	Dating and Escort Services	Content policies, fraud risk
5967	Direct Marketing - Inbound Teleservices	High chargeback risk

Check Outcomes

Pass Conditions

The check passes when:

Sufficient verification data is available to determine an MCC
A reasonable MCC classification can be made with confidence

Fail Conditions

The check fails when:

No verification data or search results are available
The data is too vague or limited to determine an MCC with confidence

MCC discrepancies between self-attested and determined codes do not cause the check to fail. Discrepancies are reported as alerts while the check still passes with the determined MCC.

High Risk Industry Check - Identify prohibited or restricted industries
Basic Business Profile Check - Verify business profile information
Web Presence Check - Analyze online presence and website data

Get Started

Concepts

Use Cases

Know Your Business (KYB)

Know Your Customer (KYC)

Overview

Check ID

Response Schema

Primary Fields

Candidate MCC Codes

Example Response

Extracting MCC Data with JSONPath

Get Full MCC Check Result

Get Just the MCC Code Payload

Get MCC Code Only

Get All Candidate MCC Codes

Python Example

Running the Check

Using startKYBAgentJob

Using runCheck (Single Check)

Input Parameters

Common MCC Codes

High-Risk MCC Codes

Check Outcomes

Pass Conditions

Fail Conditions

​Overview

​Check ID

​Response Schema

​Primary Fields

​Candidate MCC Codes

​Example Response

​Extracting MCC Data with JSONPath

​Get Full MCC Check Result

​Get Just the MCC Code Payload

​Get MCC Code Only

​Get All Candidate MCC Codes

​Python Example

​Running the Check

​Using startKYBAgentJob

​Using runCheck (Single Check)

​Input Parameters

​Common MCC Codes

​High-Risk MCC Codes

​Check Outcomes

​Pass Conditions

​Fail Conditions

​Related Checks

Overview

Check ID

Response Schema

Primary Fields

Candidate MCC Codes

Example Response

Extracting MCC Data with JSONPath

Get Full MCC Check Result

Get Just the MCC Code Payload

Get MCC Code Only

Get All Candidate MCC Codes

Python Example

Running the Check

Using startKYBAgentJob

Using runCheck (Single Check)

Input Parameters

Common MCC Codes

High-Risk MCC Codes

Check Outcomes

Pass Conditions

Fail Conditions

Related Checks