BillMatrix Briefing Contributes to Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission Rules on Credit & Debit Card Acceptance

DALLAS, Texas – August 4, 2004 – The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) rules on credit and debit card acceptance for payment of all types of utility bills went into effect on August 1, 2004. These rules were developed with the support of a presentation made by BillMatrix Corporation, a provider of outsourced telephone- and Internet-based payment services at a Technical Record Session on March 12, 2004. The contribution of this presentation is noted in the “Methodology” section of the regulatory documentation (http://www.ripuc.org/eventsactions/docket/3569-ProposedRules(3.31.04).pdf). Representatives from several of the local utility companies stressed at this meeting that there was strong interest from their customers in having the option to use their “plastic” to pay their electricity, natural gas, telephone, water and sewer bills.

The rules sanction the use of a convenience fee paid by the consumer to cover the costs associated with processing credit and debit card payments. This ensures that the “cost causer” is responsible for covering the service fees. The use of a third-party vendor, such as BillMatrix, to provide this service and collect the convenience fee was also approved by the RIPUC.

BillMatrix was requested to appear at the technical meeting due to the company’s decade of experience in the utility industry with the use of credit cards, ATM/debit cards, electronic checks and recurring direct debit ACH transactions for bill payment. The company reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of all types of payment methods with the Rhode Island Commissioners and their staff. The RIPUC is an independent regulatory body whose mission is to ensure that safe, reliable, quality utility service is provided at a fair and reasonable cost.

“We are pleased that we could assist the RIPUC in setting out rules that are equitable for all utility consumers in this area of the Northeast,” said Jerry Portocalis, BillMatrix’ senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Part of our mission is to provide interested industry participants with accurate, straightforward information. We are available to support the efforts of all such organizations, including state regulatory bodies nationwide, to bring convenient, secure, and reliable electronic payment methods to their consumers.”

About BillMatrix Corporation
BillMatrix Corporation provides outsourced payment services for the nation’s largest companies using the latest automated consumer interface technologies. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Dallas, BillMatrix works with corporations in the telecommunications, utility, insurance, mortgage and financial services industries to replace expensive, paper-based methods of remittance with a set of convenient, labor- and cost-saving electronic transactions. Consumers are able to make payments in a private and secure manner, via the Internet and telephone, using a variety of credit card, ATM/debit card, and electronic check payment options. BillMatrix maintains a fully staffed customer service organization to support both its clients and their consumers with any payment issues. For more information, visit www.BillMatrix.com or call (800) 596-0221.