How to Pay Bills by Phone
Many companies, especially utility companies, offer pay-by-phone services. These services are helpful when you are out of town, are late getting your check in the mail or have cash-flow problems and need to pay bills by credit card. Here's how you get started.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Call the companies that bill you monthly (utilities, telephone, cable, garbage and so on) and ask whether they offer pay-by-phone service.
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2
Ask whether they charge a fee for the service.
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3
Ask what credit cards and ATM cards they accept.
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4
Ask whether you need to sign up for the service or whether you can use it right away.
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5
Ask what telephone number you need to call when you use the service.
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6
Call the designated number when you're ready to use the service.
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7
Enter your password or identification number.
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8
Enter your credit card or ATM number.
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9
Enter the card's expiration date.
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10
Enter the amount you want charged to the card.
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11
Write down the verification number they give you.
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12
Call customer service with any questions or concerns.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Some companies charge up to $10 per use for pay-by-phone services. Make sure you know what fees are involved.
Several Internet banking companies offer bank-by-phone services. First, you give them your billing information, then you call once a month and give them the go-ahead to pay your bills. Enter "bank by phone" into your Internet search engine for more information.
Avoid giving out your credit card number over a cell phone.
