Streamlining Bill Payment with Fort Wayne City Utilities

Paying monthly utility bills is a familiar routine for homeowners and renters alike. But for many the process of mailing checks, waiting for payments to clear and keeping track of due dates can be a real hassle. Fortunately for residents of Fort Wayne Indiana, the city’s utility provider has implemented an online bill pay system to modernize and simplify the payment process.

In this article, we’ll look at how Fort Wayne City Utilities is making bill payment fast, convenient and seamless through their new online portal and mobile app.

Overview of Fort Wayne City Utilities

Fort Wayne City Utilities handles water, sewer, stormwater and fire protection services for around 250,000 residents across Allen County They maintain over 1,900 miles of water mains and 1,500 miles of sewer lines serving the Fort Wayne area.

Previously, customers paid their utility bills via check either mailed in or dropped off at the City Utilities office downtown. But to provide more flexibility and efficiency, City Utilities launched a new online bill pay system in early 2017.

This new payment website and mobile app lets customers securely manage accounts, view statements, make payments and enroll in auto-pay. By transitioning to an online platform, City Utilities has made paying bills easier than ever for Fort Wayne residents.

Benefits of Paying Online

The online bill pay system from City Utilities offers a number of key advantages compared to the old mail-in payment method. Some of the top benefits include:

Convenience

Customers can now pay bills anytime, anywhere using the online portal or mobile app. No need to rely on office hours or mail delivery.

Payment Tracking

All bills and payment history are visible through the online account, enabling customers to easily monitor payment status.

Auto-Pay

Customers can set up recurring auto-pay to have payments drawn automatically on the due date, ensuring bills are always paid on time.

Time Savings

Online payments process faster than mailing paper checks and waiting for them to clear through the bank.

Paperless Billing

Customers can opt for electronic billing to receive statements online rather than through the mail.

Mobile Access

The City Utilities app allows customers to manage accounts and make payments on-the-go from a smartphone or tablet.

How to Pay Online

Paying your utility bill through the City Utilities online portal is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Set up your account – Go to the payment portal and click on “New user? Register here”. Enter your customer number and account number to register.

2. Review your bill – Log in to view your current utility statement along with previous statements and payment history. Check for any important notices.

3. Enter payment method – The first time, you’ll need to set up a payment method by entering card or bank account details. This information will be saved for future payments.

4. Schedule payment – Select “Make Payment” and choose whether to pay the full or partial amount due. Double check that all bill details are correct.

5. Confirm payment – Carefully review the payment info before submitting. You should receive a confirmation email shortly after.

And your bill is paid, just like that! The entire process takes less than 5 minutes, versus the old snail mail method.

Setting Up Auto-Pay

For maximum convenience, City Utilities customers can enable auto-pay through their online account. This automatically pays your utility bill each month on the due date, eliminating the need to manually make payments.

Here’s how to set up recurring auto-pay:

• Log into your online account portal
• Click on “My Profile”
• Select the “AutoPay” tab
• Check the box to enable auto-pay
• Choose your desired payment method
• Review and agree to the auto-pay terms

Once enrolled, your bill will be paid automatically each month. You’ll receive email confirmations whenever an auto-pay transaction is processed. You can adjust or cancel auto-pay at any time through your account.

Payment Security

With online payments, security is always a priority. City Utilities utilizes top data protections to keep your information safe:

• 2048-bit SSL encryption secures all transactions and data in transit and at rest. This is the same encryption used by banks.

• Customer passwords are hashed and salted in the system so they are not stored in plain, readable text.

• Access controls limit data access only to authorized personnel.

• The online system is monitored 24/7 and regularly tested for vulnerabilities.

You can pay confidently knowing City Utilities has safety measures in place to secure your account and payment details.

Getting Help with Online Bill Pay

Switching to online bill payment involves a bit of a learning curve. City Utilities offers ample resources if you ever need assistance:

• FAQ Page – Answers common questions about registration, payments, auto-pay and more.

• How-To Videos – Short tutorials walking through the payment portal step-by-step.

• Live Chat – Chat with a customer service agent in real time during business hours.

• Phone Support – Call 260-427-1234 to speak with a billing representative.

Don’t hesitate to use these tools if you hit any bumps in the road. The City Utilities team is ready to help get your account up and running smoothly.

Paying monthly bills is unavoidable, but City Utilities has transformed the payment process from a chore into a simple, seamless task through their online system. Customers now have flexibility to pay anytime, anywhere in just minutes. Features like auto-pay and paperless billing further simplify the process.

By embracing digital payment technology, City Utilities has given Fort Wayne residents convenience, efficiency and security. For a smooth, stress-free bill payment experience, the future is online.