The City of Baytown is cautioning residents against using unauthorized services that offer to make their bill payments for an added fee. Using these unofficial businesses to make a utility payment is risky and unnecessary as the City offers several different secure methods for residents to pay their bill.
The City recently received complaints from residents who received notice that their service was due to be disconnected. These customers advised that they had paid their bills by utilizing a payment service offered through an unauthorized third party; payments which in one case, never made it to the City and in the other situation, was received after the resident’s disconnect date. With no way for the City to verify that payment is forthcoming, the account is considered unpaid/delinquent and is subject to late fees and disconnection.
“This is a really sad situation,” said Genie Ginzel, Utility Billing Manager. “Customers give their money to these services and think their bill is paid. Since the City doesn’t contract with those services, the City can’t track the payment or find out what happened to it. If the City never receives the payment, the resident is still responsible for all fees and charges until the City receives payment.”
Ginzel emphasized that residents should utilize only authorized third party payment services. Residents can currently pay their bill in person at the Utility Billing and Collection Office, 2505 Market Street, at the Food Town located at Garth and Decker or on-line. The City accepts and can verify payments made to Pay Connection (online payments made at www.baytown.org) and Official Payments, an authorized online payment company.
Ginzel added that the easiest and most efficient way for customers to pay their utility bill is through Automatic Bank Withdrawal. There are no fees or late charges (unless payment is refused by the customer’s bank). Each month a bill is sent as usual, so the customer knows the exact amount and day of payment. On the specified due date, payment is automatically drafted from the customer’s bank account. It is not necessary to have a computer or internet access to utilize the service. Applications are available in the City’s Utility Billing Office, 2505 Market Street, online at www.baytown.org/residents/services/utility/default.htm, or by calling 281-420-6515 to have an application mailed or faxed.