Invoice Cloud: Payment FAQ
What forms of payment can I use?
You can pay by credit (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) or debit card, or you may issue an electronic check from your bank account (checking or savings).
Can I still send in a paper check?
Yes, your bill can be paid in any of the following ways:
- Email notifications based payment - click "View Invoice or Pay Now" button in your email
- Web based online payment - login to online bill pay via your biller website
- Phone payments-call your biller's office
- Paper check-sent by whatever means you choose, including US Postal Service (Note: Many paper checks today are converted into electronic transactions once they are received by the biller.)
What is a service or convenience fee?
A non-refundable fee added to an invoice to cover various administrative costs associated with billing and accepting payment.
If I don't have an email, can I still process an electronic payment?
Yes, you can call your biller to see if they accept electronic payments over the phone, or mail your check in and it can be converted into an electronic payment transaction. To complete the online payment process yourself, you will need an email address so that the system can deliver your payment confirmation. If you do not have an email address, you can obtain a free email account from any of the following services: yahoo.com, hotmail.com, or gmail.com.
Which bills can I pay online?
You can pay current real estate and personal property tax and motor vehicle excise tax.
What are the costs for paying online?
There are no signup costs or subscription fees. The non refundable convenience fee when using an ACH transfer (electronic check) from your checking or savings account is $0.40 per transaction.
The non refundable convenience fee when using credit cards is a percentage-based or flat rate fee that varies depending on the card type and the bill you are paying. The convenience fee is automatically calculated based upon the type of credit card used and the dollar amount of the bill being paid and is shown on the payment page before you submit your payment for processing.
There are fees imposed by Invoice Cloud for returned payments, and your bank may charge you a fee based on the bank's fee schedule.
May I pay my tax bill by credit card at the Tax Collector's Office?
No, we are only permitted to accept credit card payments online via Invoice Cloud.
How should I enter my credit card information?
The information you enter on the payment screen must be exactly the same as it appears on your credit card. This information collected will be used to authorize your payment.
How will I know that my payment has been accepted?
After you submit your payment, you will see a payment confirmation screen. It will contain your payment confirmation message. It will show an approved number for credit cards or a processed number for electronic check. You will also receive a confirmation email after your transaction is submitted. The email will include your account number, invoice number, amount paid, and confirmation message.
Can I use more than one payment method per transaction?
Yes, if you biller accepts partial payments, you may use one payment method for part of the transaction and another payment method for other parts of the transaction.
When paying by ACH transfer (electronic check), how does my payment appear on my bank statement?
There will be two entries on your bank statement; one for the bill amount, and one for the convenience fee.
How long does it take for a credit card transaction to process if I pay online?
Credit card transactions typically take 48 hours to settle. An authorization is issued immediately; however, it takes 48 hours for the money to be moved.
How long foes it take for an EFT (electronic funds transfer) transaction to process if I pay online?
EFT transactions typically take 48-72 hours to settle.
How much does paying online help the environment?
Paying online is only half of the benefit. By going paperless when applicable (not available for all invoice types) and not receiving paper invoices, you can increase the effect you have on the environment. There are several ways reducing paper consumption helps the environment, including saving trees and using less gas. According to the PayItGreen AllianceTM, if one in five households were to switch to electronic payments, statements, and bills, we could effectively:
- Save 1.8 million trees each year and avoid using 103 million gallons of gasoline to mail bills, statements, and payments.
If you would like to be a part of the one in five, just select paper invoices under your profile information and uncheck the "receive paper invoices" box.
Do I need to notify my bank or change bank accounts?
No, your current bank account (checking or savings) will work fine. So many payments are made electronically now that banks are already prepared for online payments. However, if you have arranged through your bank to automatically pay your bill, you need to contact your bank and discontinue the automated payment, otherwise you may pay your bill twice.
What information do I need to make a payment?
The only information you need to have available to complete a payment transaction when you have received an email notification is your email address, password, and your bank account or credit card information. If you are accessing online bill pay from the biller's website, you may be able to locate your account through public information, or you may also need to know your account number.
When can I pay?
You can make a payment or review your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is always a good idea to pay or schedule a payment at least a few days before the due date, to allow for processing time.
Can I use a credit card to pay my bill(s)?
Yes, you can. There is a convenience fee when using credit cards, which varies based upon the type of card, type of bill, and payment amount. The exact convenience fee amount will be displayed during the payment process prior to submitting the payment.
Can I use a debit card to pay my bill(s)?
Yes, although technically your debit card will be processed like a credit card and you will not be asked to enter a pin number. The convenience fee is the same as credit cards, except if using a Visa Debit Card for tax payments, and varies upon the type of card, type of bill, and payment amount. The exact convenience fee amount will be displayed during the payment process prior to submitting the payment.
Can I tell if my payment has been posted?
Yes, simply login to your account and select "View paid or closed invoices".
Will I have online access to my account?
Yes, you will have 24/7 access to your account for invoice review and payment, payment history, and customer service requests.
How long will my payment history be maintained?
18 months is the standard retention period.
Will I be able to print a copy of my bill?
Yes, each invoice is presented in PDF and HTML format. Electronic storage is recommenced because it saves paper and has a beneficial impact on our environment.
How do I change my account information?
Simply log into your account and change any of your personal information under my profile.
Why am I being charged a late fee?
If you feel that this fee has been asssessed in error, or you would like more information about the late fee charges, please contact your biller's office.
What is a partial payment?
A partial payment occurs when only part of an invoice is paid and may apply if your Biller has been elected to allow partial payments. Please contact the Biller's office for more information.