Terms of Service

Effective Date: 2/15/2025
Last Updated: 2/15/2025

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Chip In (the "Service"), whether via our mobile application or website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy (incorporated herein by reference). If you do not agree with these Terms or the Privacy Policy, you must not use the Service. Your continued use of Chip In signifies your acceptance of these Terms, as may be modified from time to time. We may update these Terms by posting the revised version on our site; the new Terms will be effective immediately upon posting. It is your responsibility to review the Terms periodically for changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you should discontinue use of the Service.

Eligibility

The Service is offered and available only to individuals who are 18 years of age or older (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) and who are legally capable of forming a binding contract and holding a bank account in their name. By using Chip In, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements. The Service is intended for users in the United States and Canada; if you access the Service from outside these countries, you do so on your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with any local laws. We reserve the right to refuse access to the Service to anyone, and to limit or revoke a user's access at any time, for any reason, including if eligibility requirements are not met.

Description of Services

Chip In is a cloud-connected, mobile-first solution for managing shared finances. The Service allows you and your trusted contacts (such as partners, roommates, or family members) to organize and track joint finances in one place. Key features of Chip In include:

• Linked Financial Accounts: Securely connect your bank accounts and credit cards through third-party integration (e.g., Plaid) to view balances and transactions. (Your account credentials are never stored on our servers; see Privacy & Data Security below.)
• Expense Splitting: Record and split expenses with others. Chip In helps calculate who owes what, making it easy to track shared bills, IOUs, and reimbursements.
• Payment Settlement: Settle up debts and payments among users. The app may facilitate payments via third-party payment providers or by linking to external payment services (e.g., bank transfers, PayPal or others, as available). All transactions are subject to the terms of those third-party services, and Chip In itself does not hold or transfer funds on your behalf.
• Secure Document Storage: Upload and share financial documents, receipts, or agreements within the app. These files are stored securely in the cloud so that you and permitted parties can access important documents related to your shared finances.
• Collaboration Tools: Features such as notes, reminders, or chat may be available to help users communicate about their finances within the app in a secure manner.

The Services provided by Chip In are intended to assist you in organizing your finances and coordinating shared expenses. Chip In is not a bank, financial planner, or tax advisor, and does not provide professional financial advice. Any information or insights provided by the Service (such as spending reports or budgeting tips) are for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate for your specific situation. Always use your best judgment and consider consulting a qualified professional before making significant financial decisions.

We continually improve the Service and may add, modify, or remove features at our discretion. We will strive to inform you of significant changes, but we reserve the right to change the Service (or discontinue any part of it) at any time without liability to you. The Service is provided on an "as-is" and "as available" basis without warranty (see Disclaimers below).

Account Registration & Security

Account Creation

To use Chip In, you must create an account by providing accurate, current, and complete information about yourself as prompted (such as your name, email, and phone number). You agree to keep your registration information up-to-date. You may need to verify your email, phone, or identity through a verification process. By registering, you consent to our collection and use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.

Account Credentials

When you create an account, you will set a password or utilize an authentication method. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials, and for restricting access to your account. Do not share your password or give any other person access to your Chip In account. You agree to notify us immediately at support@chipin.mobi if you suspect any unauthorized access or security breach related to your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to safeguard your account information.

Account Usage

Your account is personal to you. You must not misrepresent your identity or account information; you agree to use your real name and accurate details and to register only once (no false identities or multiple accounts for the same person). You also agree that you will not allow others to use your account on your behalf. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that we suspect are being used in violation of these Terms or for fraudulent or illegal activity (see Termination below).

Security Measures

We implement security measures (such as multi-factor authentication, when available) to protect accounts. However, you are responsible for all activities that occur under your account. Always use a strong, unique password and exercise caution when using Chip In on public or shared devices. Chip In will never ask you to reveal your password.

If we detect suspicious activity or a potential security threat to your account, we may temporarily suspend access until we can verify ownership. We reserve the right to disable or reset any account credentials if, in our reasonable opinion, you have violated these Terms or if your account security has been compromised.

Subscription Terms

Chip In offers certain premium features or enhanced services on a subscription basis. By subscribing to Chip In's premium service ("Chip In Premium"), you agree to the following terms:

• Plans and Billing: Chip In Premium may be offered as a monthly or annual subscription. The current subscription options and prices are provided within the app or on our website during sign-up. You authorize Chip In (or the app store platform) to charge the subscription fee to your provided payment method on a recurring basis (either each month or each year, depending on the plan you choose).
• Auto-Renewal: Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle (monthly or yearly) unless you cancel before the next renewal date. This means that if you do not cancel, your payment method will be charged automatically on the renewal date for the next period's subscription fee. We will inform you of any changes in pricing or terms before they take effect, in accordance with applicable laws.
• Pricing Changes: Subscription pricing may change over time (for example, we may adjust fees, or offer promotions). If the price of your subscription changes, we will provide advance notice to you. If you do not agree to a pricing change, you may cancel your subscription before the new price takes effect. Continued use of Chip In Premium after the price change goes into effect constitutes your agreement to pay the new rate.
• Cancellation: You may cancel your subscription at any time. Cancellation will prevent future subscription charges, and you will continue to have access to premium features until the end of your current paid term. To avoid being charged for the next period, you must cancel before your subscription auto-renews (e.g., at least 24 hours prior to the renewal date is recommended). Instructions for cancellation are provided in the app store or within your Chip In account settings.
• Refunds: Subscription fees (once billed) are generally non-refundable. For example, if you cancel in the middle of a month or year, you will not receive a pro-rated refund for the remaining period of that subscription term, except where required by law or at our discretion. If you believe you are entitled to a refund (due to extenuating circumstances or applicable law), you may contact us at support@chipin.mobi, and we will review such requests on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to grant or deny refunds at our sole discretion.
• Free Trials: If a free trial period is offered for Chip In Premium, it will begin when you activate the trial. Unless you cancel before the trial ends, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid subscription and your payment method will be charged at the then-current rate. You are only eligible for one free trial unless otherwise stated. Trials are intended for new subscribers only; existing or past subscribers may not be eligible.
• Third-Party Billing: If you subscribe through a third-party app store (such as Apple App Store or Google Play Store), the billing and cancellation of your subscription may be governed by that platform’s terms and policies. You may need to manage or cancel your subscription through your app store account settings. Chip In is not responsible for the platform's handling of your subscription or any errors in billing via the app store.

By purchasing a subscription, you agree that your subscription will continue indefinitely until canceled by you, and you authorize recurring charges as described above. We may terminate or suspend your subscription (with or without refund, at our discretion) if we suspect any fraudulent or improper activity, or if you breach these Terms.

Third-Party Services

Chip In integrates with or relies on certain third-party services to function effectively. By using Chip In, you acknowledge and agree to the use of these third-party services, and you understand that separate terms and privacy policies may apply to them. Key third-party services used by Chip In include:

• Plaid (Financial Account Linking): We use Plaid Inc. ("Plaid") to securely connect with your external financial accounts (such as your bank or credit card accounts). When you choose to link an account, you will be prompted to provide your online banking credentials through Plaid’s interface. Your banking credentials are transmitted securely to your bank via Plaid and never touch our servers or are stored by us. Plaid provides us with a secure encrypted token that allows us to access your account balances and transaction data, which we use to power Chip In’s features (like expense tracking and insights). By using the account linking feature, you grant Chip In and Plaid the right, power, and authority to act on your behalf to access and transmit your personal and financial information from the relevant financial institution. You acknowledge that your information will be transferred, stored, and processed by Plaid in accordance with the Plaid Privacy Policy (we encourage you to review Plaid’s terms and privacy policy for more details). Chip In is not responsible for any errors or issues that arise from Plaid’s service or your financial institutions, and we do not guarantee that linking your accounts will always be successful or error-free. If your bank or Plaid experiences an outage or provides incorrect data, Chip In is not liable for any resulting damages.
• Google Firebase (Authentication, Data Storage, Notifications): Chip In currently uses Google Firebase, a service by Google LLC, for various backend functions including user authentication, cloud data storage, and push notifications. This means that some of your data (for example, your account profile information, and any data you sync through the app) may be stored and processed on Google’s Firebase servers. By using our Service, you acknowledge that user data is subject to Google Firebase’s terms of service and privacy policy. We recommend reviewing Google's Firebase Privacy & Security information to understand how your data may be handled. We strive to ensure high availability, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted availability of Firebase services and are not responsible for Firebase outages or technical issues. Google Firebase employs industry-standard security measures to protect data, but Chip In disclaims liability for unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss of data that may result from Firebase’s operations or security breaches. We reserve the right to switch our authentication or data storage provider at any time without prior notice to you, provided that any new provider will have comparable security standards.
• Microsoft Azure (Cloud Hosting and Infrastructure): Chip In utilizes Microsoft Azure cloud services (provided by Microsoft Corporation) to host our application servers, databases, and related infrastructure. Azure is a leading cloud platform known for its security and compliance capabilities. Your data within Chip In (including personal and financial data that you input, excluding the financial account credentials handled by Plaid) is stored on secure Azure servers. We leverage Azure’s encryption and security features to safeguard your data at rest and in transit. However, as with any cloud service, we cannot guarantee absolute uptime or that Azure will be error-free. There may be occasions where the Service is unavailable due to Azure outages, maintenance, or internet issues. Chip In shall not be liable for any inconvenience or losses due to the unavailability of the Service stemming from Azure-related problems. By using Chip In, you agree that your data may be processed by Microsoft Azure as a third-party service provider, and that such processing is subject to Microsoft’s applicable terms. There is no affiliation or endorsement between MRB Consulting Services, LLC (the provider of Chip In) and Microsoft beyond our use of their cloud services; Microsoft is a separate entity with its own privacy and security commitments.

Third-Party Terms:

When you access features of Chip In that rely on third parties (such as linking an account via Plaid, or possibly initiating a payment through an integrated payment service), you are also subject to the terms and conditions of those third-party providers. For example, if Chip In later offers an integration with PayPal, Venmo, or a bank's transfer service, your use of that feature must comply with the third party’s user agreement. We do not control and are not responsible for third-party services or their handling of your data. We simply facilitate your interactions with them for your convenience. Any disputes or issues arising from a third-party service’s actions are between you and that third party, though we will do our best to assist or provide information to help resolve such issues.

No Endorsement:

Reference to or integration of third-party services in Chip In does not mean we endorse or guarantee those services. They are provided to enhance your experience, but you should use them at your own discretion. We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of third-party providers.

User Conduct & Responsibilities

When using Chip In, you agree to use the Service only for lawful, intended purposes and to adhere to the following rules of conduct. You are responsible for all of your activities on Chip In and for any content you submit or share. By using the Service, you agree that you will NOT:

• Violate Laws or Regulations: You will not use Chip In for any illegal purpose or in violation of any local, state, provincial, national, or international laws or regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, fraud, money laundering, terrorism financing, or other financial crimes. You agree to comply with all applicable financial rules and not use the Service to facilitate any unlawful transactions.
• Misuse the Service: You will not use the Service in a fraudulent, tortious, defamatory, libelous, or otherwise malicious or harmful manner. This means you will not use Chip In to harass, threaten, or harm any person or entity. Any form of abusive, offensive, or disruptive behavior towards other users or our staff is prohibited.
• Post or Share Prohibited Content: You will not upload, post, or share any content through Chip In that is unlawful, obscene, offensive, pornographic, indecent, violent, hateful, or otherwise objectionable. Examples of prohibited content include content that is defamatory or discriminatory (e.g., hate speech or harassment targeting a group or individual), content that invades another’s privacy or rights, or any material that you do not have the rights to share. You are also forbidden from sharing personal information of others without consent, or any content that infringes on copyrights, trademarks, or other proprietary rights of third parties.
• Interfere with Security or Operations: You will not engage in any activity that could harm or interfere with the security or proper operation of Chip In or its infrastructure, such as attempting to gain unauthorized access to our systems, introducing malware, disrupting networks or servers, reverse-engineering the application, or circumventing any security or authentication measures.
• Exploit, Copy, or Reverse Engineer: You will not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, sell, lease, sublicense, decompile, reverse engineer, or create derivative works based on any part of the Chip In Service (except as expressly permitted by applicable law, and only to the extent such restrictions are not permitted by law).
• Impersonate Others or Provide False Information: You will not create a false identity, impersonate any person or entity, or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity (including Chip In or MRB Consulting Services, LLC). All registration information must be accurate and up-to-date.
• Solicit Others for Unapproved Purposes: You may not use the Service to solicit, advertise, or promote any goods or services except as expressly permitted in writing by Chip In. You may not send unauthorized commercial communications (spam) through the Service.

Enforcement: We reserve the right to investigate any suspected violations of these rules or our Terms, and to suspend, restrict, or terminate your access to the Service without notice if you violate these rules, these Terms, or any applicable laws. We may report illegal activity to the appropriate authorities if required by law. We also reserve the right (but have no obligation) to monitor, review, and remove any user content that we deem to be in violation of these rules or that could bring harm to Chip In, our users, or third parties.

Reporting Misconduct: If you become aware of any misuse of Chip In or any suspected violation of these Terms, please report it immediately to support@chipin.mobi.

Privacy & Data Security

Your privacy is very important to us. Our Privacy Policy (which forms part of these Terms) explains how we collect, use, store, and share your information, including personal and financial information. We take industry-standard measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. Some key points regarding privacy and data security:

• Account Credentials: We do not store your online banking usernames or passwords. These are provided directly to our third-party provider (Plaid) via their secure interface. We receive only read-only access tokens that permit us to retrieve your account balances and transaction data.
• Encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted both at rest and in transit using industry-standard protocols (e.g., TLS 1.2/1.3 for data in transit, AES-256 for data at rest).
• Access Controls: Access to your data is strictly limited to authorized personnel who require it to provide or support the Service. We do not sell your personal information or financial data to third parties. Your data may be shared only with your consent, or as required to provide the Service or comply with the law.
• Cloud Storage: Data is stored securely on Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure. We rely on Azure’s built-in physical and network security, but as with any cloud service, there are risks of unauthorized access or breaches that cannot be entirely eliminated.
• Data Retention: We retain your data only as long as needed to provide the Service, comply with our legal obligations, or as permitted by law. If you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable period, except as required for legal or regulatory purposes.
• Third-Party Disclosures: We will not disclose your data to third parties except as necessary to provide the Service, comply with applicable law, enforce our agreements, or protect the rights, property, or safety of Chip In, its users, or others.

Security Best Practices: We strongly recommend that you use a strong, unique password for your Chip In account, enable multi-factor authentication if offered, and use caution when sharing sensitive information within the app. Chip In will never ask you to share your password or send sensitive data by email or text.

Please refer to the full Privacy Policy available in the app or on our website for further details.

Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

NO WARRANTY: CHIP IN AND ALL SERVICES, FEATURES, AND CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE ERROR-FREE, SECURE, UNINTERRUPTED, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. WE MAKE NO WARRANTY AS TO THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM USE OF THE SERVICE OR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICE. YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER CHIP IN, MRB CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC, NOR OUR AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR LICENSORS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES), WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

DIRECT DAMAGES CAP: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO US (IF ANY) FOR THE SERVICE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) FIFTY U.S. DOLLARS ($50.00).

THIRD-PARTY SERVICES: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS, INCLUDING PLAID, GOOGLE, MICROSOFT, OR PAYMENT PROCESSORS. YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE THIRD PARTIES IS GOVERNED BY THEIR TERMS.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Chip In, MRB Consulting Services, LLC, and our officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your use or misuse of the Service; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any rights of a third party, including intellectual property rights or privacy rights; or (d) any content you submit to the Service.

Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to all or part of the Service at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including if we believe you have violated these Terms or applicable law, or for inactivity, abuse, or suspected fraud. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. We reserve the right to delete or retain your account data as described in our Privacy Policy. The sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to, subscription obligations (accrued before termination), privacy, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, dispute resolution, and governing law.

Dispute Resolution, Arbitration & Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, USA, and applicable federal law, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes or claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration in Savannah, Georgia, under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that you or we may bring claims in small claims court for matters within the court’s jurisdiction. You and Chip In agree to waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. The prevailing party in any arbitration or legal proceeding will be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If you are located in Canada, applicable provincial laws may also apply to your use of the Service.

If you have a dispute or concern, we encourage you to contact us at support@chipin.mobi so we may try to resolve it informally before resorting to arbitration or legal action.

Other Legal Terms

• Entire Agreement: These Terms (and the Privacy Policy) constitute the entire agreement between you and Chip In regarding your use of the Service and supersede any prior agreements or understandings (oral or written).
• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
• Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or to any affiliate or successor.
• Headings: Headings are for convenience only and have no legal effect.