Frequently Asked Questions About Checks  

Accepting Checks Online FAQ

Can I accept checks over the Internet?

Yes, ECHO provides merchants with the ability to accept checks over the Internet. Your customers enter their check account information into one of the payment forms used by our merchants and the check is then processed through the Automated Clearing House (ACH). For complete information, see the XpressCheXonline service page.

What is Check Verification?

Check verification is a low-cost service that verifies checks you might accept from a customer. Checks are verified against a database, and with ECHO's XpressVerification service, you benefit from our proprietary database, National Check Network(R) (NCN). NCN contains 17 million negative records and 70 million positive records against which your check will be confirmed. If the account number corresponds to a problem account (an account where checks have bounced and not been repaid) you are notified through the system response. Read about XpressVerification on our Web site, or visit our NCN site for information on NCN and its application for collection agencies and major accounts.

What is Check Guarantee?

Check guarantee is like an insurance policy for checks you accept at your retail location. Each check you receive is first verified through the ECHO's check database to reduce the chance of accepting a check from a fraudulent check writer. Then, any checks that are returned unpaid are sent directly to ECHO. We pay you the amount of the check and your cash flow continues without interruption whether or not the check is collectible later on. ECHO's  check guarantee service, XpressGuarantee, is a low cost way to accept checks worry-free for less than the price of credit card processing.

What is electronic check conversion?

Electronic Check Conversion, or "ECC" greatly reduces the cost, time, and risks associated with check acceptance at the point-of-sale (POS). ECHO's Xpress Conversion service converts paper checks into electronic items, so you don’t have to deposit checks at your bank. This means that you get your money faster and you can detect problems with specific accounts sooner.

With ECHO, your fast point of sale conversion process also gives you an electronic check image you can view or print from a secure Web site, in case you need to collect on a check. For more information, see XpressConversion on ECHO's Web site.

What is check collection or check recovery?

Check collection (sometimes called recovery) is a service that uses traditional means to collect on checks that have been returned unpaid. When your bank receives the returned check, our collectors make telephone calls and/or send letters to collect from the consumer. At ECHO the letters contain an actual image of the check, something which greatly reduces the change of a consumer claiming that he or she did not write a check. We serve all 50 states, and train our collectors to treat your customers with courtesy and professionalism. For more information on the service see ECHO's XpressRecovery section of the Web site.

Recommended Check Processing Websites

ECHO Check Processing - ECHO’s services include: credit card processing, debit card processing, merchant accounts, check guarantee, check verification, check conversion, check representment, check collection, and Automated Clearing House (ACH) check processing.

Merchant America - Full service payment processing solution including a financial portal that contains a virtual terminal.

Reviewed Check Processing Sites on the Internet

InfoMerchant - Check Services - www.infomerchant.net/
Provides merchant services and check services (check guarantee, check verification, check conversion, check representment, check collection, and Automated Clearing House (ACH) check processing). InfoMerchant also gives Help with Credit Card Processing, Tutorials, Guides, and an FAQ about Payment Processing Services.

Reviewed Check Services Websites

BumChecks.com - Free professional and national check recovery for all bad checks. Receive 100% back on NSF checks + an additional 25% of your state bad check fee. NorthStar is a leading provider of NSF, stop payment and closed account checks.