Which is safer, more convenient, makes more sense? Trying to set my Mom up online. She has had several fraudulent checks passed through her account. I worry about having all of her personal info. , acct numbers, etc. with the bank and online. They also require a 5 day waiting period. Is it easier to just set up through the companies? Is it safer? Less chance of overdrawing? If I do it directly with a company, can I decide when it gets paid? She is on a limited income and comes down to the wire most months. Sometimes she has to pick and choose what she pays or puts off.
online bill paying wiht bank or with ind. company?
- Thread starter nosey
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itsbob
I bowl overhand
I use BOA, and have been EXTREMELY happy with them the past 4 years.
I haven't mailed in a payment for anything in those 4 years. I pay my dentist, my doctor, cable.. phone.. EVERYTHING.. and for the recurring bills that never change, they are set up to stop when they are paid off. I haven't been late on any bills because of forgotten or lost mail.
BOA has e-bills, as I'm sure all banks do. They sent a bill to your e-mail, and log into your bill pay. When you log onto your checking account, you can see all bills that are due, or are coming due on the same screen.
As long as I keep that screen empty I know I'm in good shape.
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ohsnoes
Guest
I've used BoA online billpay for years with no problems. Recently opened an account at Navy FCU that has similar online billpay. Billpay is free and if you get direct deposit there is no service charge on anything.
BTW, I had my identity stolen from an employers file cabinet many years ago before the internets were borned by Al Gore. The risk is everywhere you go.
calvert_biker
Member
I would strongly recommend AGAINST going with setting bill pay up with the companies directly. You always have more control over your money when you've set up the payments through the bank, as when you set up with a company, you are at the mercy of that company if they raise their rates (for example, a cable bill or phone bill). Jus tmy opinion...
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
My bank strongly advises against authorizing companies to dip into your account for bills. If they misuse that, the bank won't cover the money. If for some reason the bank messes up your payments, they'll cover it. Plus, my bank (and I'm sure others) has a policy that they'll pay any late fees incurred if there is an accidental late payment that they caused....been using bill pay since about 96. Love it. Haven't ordered checks in about 5 years. Most Credit Unions have a pretty good Bill Pay service. USAA, PENTAGON FCU, Navy FCU. Just find one that doesn't charge you to use it.
Agree, never, never let someone take money from your acct at their leisure. Heard too many horror stories that usually ended with the person closing the check acct to stop the withdrawals after they let a gym direct debit their acct.
Agree, never, never let someone take money from your acct at their leisure. Heard too many horror stories that usually ended with the person closing the check acct to stop the withdrawals after they let a gym direct debit their acct.
huntr1
.
I've been doing online payments for my vehicle loans for almost 10 years in 1 form or another. I do it thru my credit union. I agree with everybody else. Do it thru the bank, not the individual bill companies. Never had any problems, but by keeping it to the bank, you cut down on the places your info can be stolen from. Banks have very secure networks, so I wouldn't worry too much about your data getting stolen.