Is E-billing Safe For You?

Many companies out there would prefer that their customers switch to e-billing, it cuts down on their paper and postage costs but is it any good for the customer?

The first thing on my mind about this issue is “what happens if you don’t get a bill when it’s expected?” – The company in question is relieved from all responsibility in this case. If you don’t get your bill in time to pay it, it’s your fault for not calling them and finding out how much you should send them. It’s the same situation if you have pre-authorized payment. It’s your job to make sure these companies get paid, you even have to sign a paper to that effect. However if they are slow putting it in the mail, they are responsible for providing you your costs.

The second thing on my mind about this is, “what about if you can’t afford internet anymore?” – Tough luck, you better keep your internet if you plan on having access to your bills. Although they will tell you that you can just head over to your local library and use the computers there, I have to question the security of that. How secure are those computers at the library? How do you know that a key logger (a program that records every keystroke made on the keyboard, including your username and passwords!) hasn’t been installed on the computer by the last person to use the computer? Maybe they come in once a week to pickup all their new passwords, they could even have the computer email them once a week, however that would be more suspicious, it could still be done.

It’s your choice but it’s one more way that corporations are shifting their responsibilities to their customers. BTW, North Bay Hydro is giving away an iPad or $300. It shows how desperate they are to get you to switch over.