Streamlining Bill Payments with the City Of Natchitoches Utility Bill Pay System

Paying utility bills can be a tedious task especially when you have to mail in checks or drive across town to pay in person. However the City of Natchitoches has implemented an online bill pay system to make this process quick and convenient for residents. This article will provide an overview of the City of Natchitoches Utility Bill Pay system, outline its key features and benefits, and give step-by-step instructions for getting started.

The City of Natchitoches Utility Billing department launched its online bill pay system called Click2Gov several years ago. This system allows customers to easily view their account information and pay their electric, water, sewer, and sanitation bills online 24/7. Customers can pay one-time payments or even set up recurring auto-pay.

Here are some of the key benefits of using the City of Natchitoches Utility Bill Pay system:

• Convenience: Pay bills anytime, anywhere with an internet connection. No need to mail payments or drive to City Hall.

• Efficiency: Payments post instantly, so no waiting for checks to clear. Customers receive email confirmation when bills are paid.

• Security: The site uses industry-standard encryption to protect sensitive account information.

• Accessibility: The site was designed with accessibility in mind. Features like screen reader capability and high contrast colors make the site usable for all.

• Cost Savings: Payments have a lower convenience fee compared to other bill pay options. Auto-pay discounts are also available.

• Account Management: Customers can view balance info, payment history, water usage, and update account/contact info.

• Paperless Billing Customers can opt for paperless billing to receive bills electronically This saves paper and is more environmentally friendly,

• Flexible Payment Options: Pay with credit/debit cards, checking accounts, or bill-fold wallet.

Getting Started with City of Natchitoches Utility Bill Pay

Using the online bill pay system is easy and only takes a few minutes to set up. Here are step-by-step instructions to start paying bills online:

1. Visit the Bill Pay Website

   Go to https://click2gov.natchitochesla.gov/Click2GovCX/index.html to access the City of Natchitoches bill pay site.

2. Select One-Time Payment

   If just making a single payment, choose “One Time Payment” and enter your utility account number located on your paper bill.

3. Enter Payment Information

   Type in the payment amount, select a payment method, and enter your card or bank account information.

4. Create an Account (Optional)

   For added convenience, click “New User” to create a login account. This securely stores your payment information for future transactions.

5. Confirm Payment

   Carefully review the payment details before submitting. You will receive an email confirmation of the transaction.

And that’s it! The payment will typically process instantly and post to your account within 1 business day. For returning customers, simply log in to make quick payments in the future.

Here are some tips to optimize your experience with City of Natchitoches Utility Bill Pay:

• Update your stored payment information if your credit/debit card number or bank account changes. This prevents failed auto-payments.

• Sign up for paperless billing to save paper and get notifications when new bills are ready.

• Review payment history periodically to check for inaccuracies and monitor water usage trends.

• Set payment reminders a few days before your due date so you never forget. Many bill pay sites let you schedule reminders.

• Contact customer support if you have any account or payment issues. They can investigate and resolve problems quickly.

Recurring Auto-Payments Offer Convenience and Savings

The most convenient way to pay bills is by enrolling in auto-pay, also called recurring payments. This automatically pays your bill each month directly from your credit/debit card or bank account. To enroll:

1. Log into your account on the bill pay website.

2. Click on Auto-Pay Enrollment.

3. Select your preferred payment method and date for withdrawals.

4. Review and submit the enrollment form.

Once enrolled, you no longer have to manually pay each month. Payments are made automatically on the scheduled date so your account stays current.

Many utility companies offer discounts for auto-pay enrollment because it improves cash flow and reduces administrative costs of sending late notices. The City of Natchitoches provides a $1 discount per month for customers signed up for auto-pay. That adds up to $12 in annual savings!

Auto-pay also prevents late fees caused by forgetting a payment. As long as your payment method has sufficient funds, your bill gets paid on time every month with auto-pay. Just monitor your account periodically to ensure scheduled payments are being made.

Security of Online Bill Payments

When paying bills online, customers rightfully have security concerns about their personal and financial data. Rest assured that reputable bill pay services like Click2Gov use advanced security measures to protect your information.

Here are some of the key security features:

• SSL Encryption – Data sent between your device and the bill pay server is encrypted using SSL (https). This scrambles sensitive data to prevent interception.

• PCI Compliance – The site complies with stringent Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards for handling credit/debit card data.

• Authentication – Creating an account requires identity verification via email confirmation. Logins require username and password authentication.

• Secure Servers – Data is hosted on secure servers with firewalls, intrusion detection, and constant monitoring. Routine security audits are performed.

• Data Privacy – Strict policies limit employee access to customer data. Data is only used for authorized purposes.

While no site can guarantee 100% security, these protections make online bill pay far less risky than mailing paper checks which can be stolen from your mailbox. By taking basic precautions like using unique passwords and keeping software up-to-date, you can pay bills online safely.

Recent Security Incident and Recommended Actions

In December 2019, the City of Natchitoches reported a security incident involving potential unauthorized access to customers’ payment card data during a limited window from August 30, 2019 to October 14, 2019. This resulted from a vulnerability in the Click2Gov system itself, not due to any action by the City of Natchitoches.

The City immediately disabled the affected payment page upon discovery of the vulnerability. They also promptly notified potentially impacted customers via email and press release.

The City stated that customers enrolled in auto-pay were not affected. Only customers who made one-time payments online during the August 30 to October 14 timeframe could potentially be impacted if they also had malware present on the device used.

As a precaution, the City recommended customers taking the following steps:

• Update internet browsers and devices to the latest software versions.

• Contact your bank to re-issue payment cards used on the site during that period.

• Enable transaction alerts through your bank for notifications of payments.

They also advised customers to remain vigilant in monitoring account statements and credit reports for any unusual activity. Customers should immediately report any fraudulent transactions to their bank.

This incident underscores the importance of ongoing security updates and enhanced security protocols for electronic payment systems. The City continues working to implement additional safeguards to prevent similar vulnerabilities going forward.

Despite this isolated incident, online bill payment remains exponentially safer than paper check payments. Customers should not hesitate to continue using City of Natchitoches online bill pay but are encouraged to follow cybersecurity best practices for all online activity.

Convenient Payment Locations For In-Person Bill Pay

While online bill pay provides the ultimate convenience, some customers may prefer making in-person payments. The City offers several convenient physical locations for paying utility bills across Natchitoches.

City Hall

The Utility Billing department on the first floor of City Hall accepts bill payments Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, excluding holidays. City Hall is located at 716 2nd Street in downtown Natchitoches. Cash, check, money order, and major credit/debit cards are accepted.

Utility Service Center

This office on the southwest side of town also accepts utility payments Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm, excluding holidays. They are located at 5016 University Parkway next to the municipal airport. All payment types are accepted here as well.

Authorized Payment Centers

For added convenience, the City allows payments at partner retail locations throughout Natchitoches. Customers can pay bills at:

• Brookshire Brothers – 5400 University Parkway
• Super S Foods – 5718 South Dr.
• Super 1 Foods – 6299 Hwy. 1 Bypass

Look for the Click2Gov self-service kiosks inside each store. Kiosk payments require a convenience fee and only accept credit/debit