Ever have problems paying bills online?

Perhaps the bank felt there was something suspicious about the transaction or the recipient and stopped the payment until it was verified as genuine. Depending on the amount involved the bank might want verification.
 

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Capt Lightning said:
Perhaps the bank felt there was something suspicious about the transaction or the recipient and stopped the payment until it was verified as genuine.
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All I have to say is, there better be a valid enough of a reason. I am already looking for other ways of managing my money. And only me.
 
fancicoffee13 said:
I recently ran into a problem at the bank. A bill didn't get paid due to the problem of someone stopping it from being paid. I didn't know anyone had anything to do with my account but me.
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Who stopped it? That's where to start. If it was your bank (and I would start there), ask them why. If it was the payee, ask them why.
 
For decades, I have had Bank of America accounts. Unlike smaller regional banks, they have significant fraud departments that are especially vigilant over accounts with higher balances like mine. Occasionally, I receive emails when they receive suspicious transactions and greatly appreciate they do so. Much worse is for dark web hackers to drain one's account balances versus short delays with payments, any retail businesses expect to take time.

If you were not contacted for a bank payment hold, it should be something to investigate. If the OP's bank held up a payment, they probably looked your account for the way you have set up being contacted that ought be the fastest way one normally will notice such an alert. I have a few email services, some of which I infrequently look at, while others I do so daily unless I off on field trips. It may also be set up for a phone call that could be dismissed as spam by settings, or some Message app process. Thus investigate first.
 
Devi said:
Who stopped it? That's where to start. If it was your bank (and I would start there), ask them why. If it was the payee, ask them why.
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I went to the bank and he hedged around the subject until I kept pressing for an answer as to "who" and he said that I would receive a call Monday. I had to ask for the number so I wouldn't suspect it another spam call. So, I still have to wait.
 
Devi said:
That's ... interesting. Keep us posted!
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The only reason I posted such a thing is, because seniors aren't so aware of these things. Like me, I set it up and just take for granted that it will proceed as planned. Especially something like bill pay at a bank I have been with for many many years. So, this just proves, I need to keep a very close eye on all my bills throughout the month. And if something isn't paid on the day it was supposed to, go to the bank and get it settled before hundreds of dollars are to be dealt with!!! I always like to learn from others.
 
I pay bills online and have for years. Only ran into one problem ever so far.

Few years ago, paid local water/sewer/garbage municipal bill.
The city billing department is behind the times and my bank has to send them a check.
Well, one month the city said they never received payment for the previous month and they were going to cut my water off.
Turns out I could prove the bank issued a check and the exact date. But the check never cleared my checking account.
City said it wasn't their fault. When they get checks they don't throw them away.
So the city's take was that I missed a payment ... and charged me a $5 late few.
Nothing I could say or do ... or my bank say or do, would change that.

Some utilities have their own web sites and accept payment directly but I always go through my bank's Bill Pay.
My city has a site online to make payments but a 3rd party handles it and there is a 2 or 3 dollar charge to do so.
So I don't ever go that route.

I continue to pay the municipal bill online through my bank and haven't had another problem since.
I've been a member of my bank (credit union) since 1988.
Although nation wide, they always treat me like they know me and go out of their way to help whenever I need it.
... local municipal billing not so much.
 
Paying bills?

I have my internet charge, which is now £52 a month due to my upgrade to a 1Gb connection. I have a direct debit with them, so don't have to worry about it being paid. However, one month I decided to pay early. So I went on their web site and made the payment. Turns out they still took the debit. Paying money on the web site doesn't instruct their system to take less of a direct debit amount.

But the only site I truly despise, and gave up on, was our beloved governments - specifically, the tax office. I never could make it through all their security hoops. Try as I might, it defeated me. They still owe me £400 from two years ago, but can't get it out of them. It's a nightmare.
 
When a "bank" declines to pay a bill, you should be notified by phone/email. While banks have a 'bank 'visa/mastercard credit card, but they really don't manage them. It's a service they contract with a giant credit card corporation. These are the folks with the fraud departments, etc. These are the people who usually block a payment, not your bank.
Unfortunately, I'm aware of this, because an overly eager fraud department screwed up a needed purchase for me.
 
Naturally said:
I pay bills online and have for years. Only ran into one problem ever so far.

Few years ago, paid local water/sewer/garbage municipal bill.
The city billing department is behind the times and my bank has to send them a check.
Well, one month the city said they never received payment for the previous month and they were going to cut my water off.
Turns out I could prove the bank issued a check and the exact date. But the check never cleared my checking account.
City said it wasn't their fault. When they get checks they don't throw them away.
So the city's take was that I missed a payment ... and charged me a $5 late few.
Nothing I could say or do ... or my bank say or do, would change that.

Some utilities have their own web sites and accept payment directly but I always go through my bank's Bill Pay.
My city has a site online to make payments but a 3rd party handles it and there is a 2 or 3 dollar charge to do so.
So I don't ever go that route.

I continue to pay the municipal bill online through my bank and haven't had another problem since.
I've been a member of my bank (credit union) since 1988.
Although nation wide, they always treat me like they know me and go out of their way to help whenever I need it.
... local municipal billing not so much.
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Good to hear that things are going great now. I love bill pay but don't trust it like I used to.
 
I use auto pay for all my monthly bills

Only one issue in the last three years;
The city utility switched routing Companys, and there was a delay

They told me they were 'working on it'
Took a couple months
Now. all is well

But

It's the reason I check weekly, and log all my transactions in my paper register

Auto pay is great
Keeping tabs is just as great
 
@fancicoffee13 When the bank gives you an explanation, insist that you also want the reason put down in writing. You may want to be able to prove later that it was their fault.
 
I learned no one stopped the bill pay. I had set the bill pay for one time only payment. If you do bill pay, make sure they are recurring.
 
Gary O' said:
I use auto pay for all my monthly bills

Only one issue in the last three years;
The city utility switched routing Companys, and there was a delay

They told me they were 'working on it'
Took a couple months
Now. all is well

But

It's the reason I check weekly, and log all my transactions in my paper register

Auto pay is great
Keeping tabs is just as great
Click to expand...
Gary O' said:
I use auto pay for all my monthly bills

Only one issue in the last three years;
The city utility switched routing Companys, and there was a delay

They told me they were 'working on it'
Took a couple months
Now. all is well

But

It's the reason I check weekly, and log all my transactions in my paper register

Auto pay is great
Keeping tabs is just as great
Click to expand...
I check mine every day and make sure they are "recurring".
 
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