NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Even though the City of Hutchinson warned customers that they wouldn't be able to talk to a person and pay their water bill with their credit card over the phone any more, they are still educating residents on the change.
"It's a recommendation from our credit card company," said Angela Richard, Director of Finance. "It's just not as secure. If you're calling in, somebody could overhear you saying your number. Our phone calls are recorded, so you really can't take over the phone payments, or we would have to give that up. It's a security issue. It's more secure to do it on our automated phone payment system, or on our website."
Using the automated system is straightforward, if you have your bill in front of you at the time.
"They can still do that," Richard said. "They can do that any time of day. It saves their credit card information, if you want it to. When you call in again, you enter your account and customer number and it asks if you want to pay with the same method you paid before. It's more secure. I think, once people get used to it, it will be more convenient."
You can also use the city's website to pay.
"Our website has both a log in and pay, you can set it up to charge your card every month when it's due, or you can do a one time payment online," Richard said. "You can set it up to bank draft, so we do have numerous ways to pay."
You can still pay by mail or put your payment in the drop box at 125 East Avenue B.
The mailing address is City of Hutchinson, 125 East Avenue B, PO Box 1567, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
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