Jamestown Board of Public Utilities customers may now pay bills online with e-checks, as an added feature to the online credit and debit card bill payment system which became available in June.
An e-check works similar to a paper check, but without the need for a check to actually be written and processed by the recipient's bank. When the customer authorizes an e-check payment, it is processed as a debit transaction using the routing and account number of the checking account. The amount that is debited by this transaction is then transferred to the BPU account in much the same way as if a paper check had been written.
Customers may register for online access to their accounts by logging in at account.jamestownbpu.com or by clicking the "Access BPU Account" link under "Quick Links" on the BPU website at www.jamestownbpu.com and following the directions.
All online users will need their BPU customer number(s) to register. The customer number includes the six digits beginning with the number one (1) that appears after the dash of the account number on the printed bill.
Once registered, a customer also may access account information such as meter readings, consumption history and past bills.
According to David L. Leathers, BPU general manager, e-check payments have been requested by customers as a payment option in addition to online debit and credit card payment services.
"The BPU is pleased to offer the e-check payment preference to our customers," Leathers said. "The e-check payment choice results from the BPU's overall software system upgrade."
Leathers states that the online debit/credit payment service has proven to be very popular with customers. The BPU continues to be interested in customer feedback which will be used to enhance and improve this process.
To provide feedback or to request assistance with the new process, customers may contact Becky Robbins, BPU communications coordinator, at 661-1666.