BFI On-Line Payments: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any special hardware or software to use the on-line payment service?No special hardware or software is required to use this service. You will only need Web access and your browser.
Please note that some older browsers use 40-bit encryption. For the highest level of security available, we suggest you use 128-bit encryption to access the site.
What types of BFI invoices can I pay here?
You can use the on-line payment service to pay:
- Application fees
- Examination expense reimbursements
- Consumer Finance Company assessments
- Credit Counselor assessments
- Industrial Loan assessments
- Check Casher annual fees
- Money Transmitter assessments and annual fees
- Payday Lender assessments
- Motor Vehicle Title Lender assessments
Are there any types of BFI payments that I cannot make here?
On-line payment is not available for:
- Assessments not listed above (such as Banks, Credit Unions, and Mortgage Companies)
Is there a service charge?
There is no extra charge of any kind for using the on-line payment service.
Can I pay directly from my bank account?
Yes. This method of payment is often referred to as “E-check” or “ACH”. You will be asked to provide the routing number of your bank and the account number of the account from which you wish to have funds withdrawn.
Can I pay with a credit card?
No, that method of payment is not currently available.
How can I find my routing and account numbers?
Once you begin the on-line payment process, you will see the Enter Payment Information page, which allows you to enter your routing and account numbers. This page shows you where those numbers can be found on your checks.
When will the funds be withdrawn from my account?
For payments made before 8 PM Eastern Time on business days, funds will be withdrawn from your bank account the same day. For payments made after that time on business days, funds will be withdrawn the following business day. For payments made on weekends and holidays, funds will be withdrawn from your account the following business day.
Can I set up a future-dated payment?
No. The timing of the payment depends solely on when you enter it in the on-line service. No future-dating is available.
Can I make a partial payment?
No. Only payments in the exact amount due are accepted.
Can I register with this payment web site, so I don’t have to enter my bank account information each time I make a payment?
No. Although some on-line payment services allow you (or require you) to register or enroll (setting up a user ID and password), that is not the case with BFI on-line payments. The reason is that the effort needed to register with the site and remember the user ID/password is not warranted, since BFI assessment payments are made only once per year.
Does BFI retain my bank account information after my payment is processed?
No. Because this on-line service is provided by a third-party payment processor, BFI never has access to your bank account information.
How can I confirm that my payment has been processed?
After you have submitted a payment – either through the on-line service or by paper check – you can confirm that your invoice has been processed by logging into the on-line payment service using your Bureau ID number and zip code. If you have no remaining open invoices, you will receive the message, “Account was not found.” If you do have open invoices, you will see a list of those open invoices and can confirm that the invoice you paid is not among them. You can also check to see if the funds have been drawn from your bank account.
What happens if my payment does not go through properly?
If your on-line payment cannot be processed (for example, due to an incorrect account number or insufficient funds in the account), you will be contacted by BFI to arrange payment.