How much does UniPay Online cost?

There are no UniPay Online charges for cities, towns, districts or other “local government units.”

How much will UniPay Online cost tax or fee payers?

There is no charge for each electronic debit. There will be additional fees for use of a credit card.

What payment methods are available to tax or fee payers?

UniPay Online will offer two payment options: electronic debit of a payer’s checking account or payment by credit card. All debits and deposits will be electronic.

Must the user (taxpayer) be a customer of UniBank in order to electronically debit a checking account?

No. Payment may be made from any bank the payer selects.

What kind of an account will be used for deposit of the payments?

Funds will be deposited into a NOW account, which earns interest. There are no fees or charges associated with this account.

What software must be installed on my computer?

None. UniPay Online is an Internet based service. You (and payers) must have access to the Internet but no additional software is needed.

After I select UniPay Online, what happens next?

After you decide to offer UniPay Online, our transition team will meet with you and your IT/MIS staff to review your collection software and determine its compatibility with UniPay Online. UniPay Online is designed to permit easy interface with MUNIS, Data National and most other software. The transition team will also review procedures for uploading your issue files to UniPay Online and downloading paid files to your system. We will also provide a marketing package (by CD or email) containing suggested language for bill “stuffers,” local newspaper and other media announcements, and templates for posters to announce the “arrival of UniPay Online.”

What if my software cannot interface with UniPay Online?

In this situation, UniPay Online can still provide a file of bills paid electronically but the posting process will be manual. This option will still bring value to the collector’s office by reducing the traffic at the counter resulting in fewer trips to the bank. Most importantly, these funds will be available in less time than it takes to traditionally process these payments.

How soon after a taxpayer authorizes payment are funds deposited to the Town’s UniBank account?

Within 2 business days.

How do I ensure that taxpayers won’t be able to make payments after “cutoff” dates and times?

UniPay Online is designed so that attempted payments after “cutoff” will not be accepted. However, the system can allow payments to be made after cutoff if desired.

How do I transmit my issue files to UniBank?

You don’t. You upload your accounts receivable files through UniPay Online.

How often do I “refresh” files?

As often as you would like to.

How secure is UniPay Online for my taxpayers? How secure is it for the Collector’s Office?

We use Verisign encryption, the most trusted name in web site security. We host our web site on the latest operating system. Updates and patches are applied on a regular basis. The firewall uses proxy on its Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to further enhance security. In fact, the UniBank network (and the data therein) is protected by firewalls, security software, and continually updated virus protection. We have comprehensive detailed policies, standards and procedures for our information systems and also for privacy that are reviewed regularly by our Security Officer, Internal Auditor and Board of Directors. In addition, our security systems are audited regularly by third party auditors, as well as by state and federal banking regulators.

Can UniPay Online require the payer to provide additional identification information, e.g., tax year and parcel number, to reduce error and increase payment security?

Yes.

Will payment information automatically post to my issue file?

Yes.

Who do I call with technical questions and for support in general?

Support is available by calling UniBank Government Banking at 1-800-678-1635.

How are Demand Notices and Interest payments handled?

If the collector uploaded an updated file into the system, these payments would be handled just like regular payments.

Can we put website information on our tax bill?

Yes.

How are amended issue files handled?

The old file could be deleted and new file uploaded into the UniPay Online system.

Can a payer print a “Confirm Page (with Confirmation Number)” if his or her account does not havesufficient funds?

Yes. In this case, UniBank will treat the electronic debit authorization as it would a check written against an account without sufficient funds. We will resubmit the authorization once. If it is returned a second time, we will notify you and debit your account for the amount of the authorization.

How are credit card payments authorized?

The payments would be verified and authorized by the credit card processor just as it is done with other vendors.

When is a file closed?

Files are closed at the end of each day (12:00 Midnight). After it is closed, debits and credits will be balanced and it will be marked “Balanced.” It can then be downloaded to your system.

How long will I have to download a file?

Files will remain at the UniBank Administration Center for at least six months and can be downloaded any time during that period. After six months, files will be placed in our archives and will be available upon your request.

Will UniPay Online alert a payer if he or she tries to pay too much? Too little?

The UniPay Online system can be configured to accept only that amount shown on the bill being paid (plus applicable fees). UniPay can be configured to accept “partial payments.” In this mode, both “under” and “over” payments will be accepted. How the system is configured is up to the collector of taxes.

Does the system sweep for viruses?

UniBank’s virus protection is continually updated.

Can we do a “test run?”

Yes. The system can be opened to a select group before going live.

How often are deposits made to my account?

Funds will be deposited to your account as they are received through the ACH system.