Here's what experts say to look for in an online billing service:

  • Some services will only work with payees with whom they can interface electronically. If all your bills are covered by their list, that's fine. If not, you're still going to have to pay some bills manually.
  • Some services, such as Paytrust.com, require you to change your billing address to that of the service provider. The service you choose should help you notify billers of the change. This type of online bill-payment service is a good option for those who are frequently out of town for long periods, when they might miss an important bill in the mail.
  • If you already use a software package like Quicken or Microsoft Money to track your finances, the service you choose should be compatible with that software to avoid extra bookkeeping. For example, Paytrust.com is not compatible with Quicken.
  • Make sure you have a secure access. Public networks, such as hotel business centers or wireless centers, don't give you complete data privacy.
  • Be careful which bills you pay automatically. Experts suggest only making automatic-payment arrangements for bills that are the same amount every month. That way, you don't have to contend with payment errors.
  • The service should guarantee accurate and on-time payments. If not, the late fee should be covered by the service. All services have this feature. If the late delivery is their fault, they pay the late fee.
  • Check to see how far back you can access your bills and payment information online. Check for access fees for older account information.
  • Report generation (i.e. tables, charts and/or graphs) helps you track where your money is going.
  • Choose a well-established service. PC World suggests looking at sites that are stable (that are owned by Fortune 500 companies or are trusted brands) and offer 24/7 customer service. Online bill payment isn't where you want to go with a company that has no track record.

Lastly, many companies allow customers to pay their bills online through the company's website with no additional fees. If you have only a few bills each month, paying them online at the company's website might be the simplest solution.

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