Comments on: Be Very Careful When Using Online Bill Pay

By: lulugal11

lulugal11 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:22:48 +0000

I don’t use the bill pay features at all with any of my bills. I have them sent to my credit card (gives cash back and I don’t carry a balance) and I ‘push’ the payments to the credit card for the amount of the bills.

I use ING so they mail out a check to the company and I don’t pay for stamps. This is easier for me since I have all bills paid on one credit card and I just make payments to that one card.

Once I get a bill set up I don’t even have to check it……I still do, because I like to make sure…but I have never HAD to.

Glad you got that straightened out though…and good thing you have the emergency fund.

By: That One Caveman

That One Caveman — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:44:08 +0000

I don’t like auto-debit for the simple fact that I don’t want these companies to have access to my account. The biggest recent story I can think of was around the turn of last year when Dreamhost’s billing software accidentally overbilled a great amount of their customers and caused overdrafts by the hundreds. The last thing I need is some careless company somewhere stealing my money. I’d rather give it away by accident than give someone else access.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:41:51 +0000

I love, love, love my online bill pay. I’ve been using it for years. Mine will even kick out checks to non-companies. For example, last year I was living in an apartment in a converted house. The landlords lived a couple of blocks over. I set up my bill pay to send my rent to their home and it worked out beautifully – it was always on time and didn’t cost me a dime – not even a stamp. I set up regular payments that don’t change a year in advance (mortgage, car payment, etc) and they just kick out each month. For payments that fluctuate, like my electric bill, I do it when the bill comes in. Sorry you had problems with yours, honestly, mine has been a boon to both my peace of mind and my credit score!

By: Jason Unger

Jason Unger — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:28:42 +0000

You make a great point — online bill pay may not be the best idea. When paying bills online, it’s often easier to sign up for the service’s auto-pay function.

That way, the company will always take out their money (like they would ever forget) and you don’t have to worry about late fees or mistakenly paying the wrong person!

By: Bible Money Matters

Bible Money Matters — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:05:26 +0000

Wow.. i still prefer using the old mailing in the check method cause i don’t like anyone having access to my checking account – or relying on someone else to pay the bill. That can lead to mistakes like this. Good luck getting the money back!