News from the Wire

ACCC reports uptick in online bill pay

Monday, August 31, 2015 — 10:55:10 (EDT)

Boston, Aug. 31, 2015 -- The majority of American consumers has started paying bills online within the last five years, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Nearly 95 percent of those polled in the month of July by ACCC admitted that they pay at least one bill through their computer or mobile device. Nearly 55 percent of those polled said they started paying online within the last five years.

Just 6 percent of those surveyed at ConsumerCredit.com said they only pay bills by mail. And a large majority (77 percent) said they find it easier to pay and track bills if they do it digitally instead of through the mail. In addition, about two thirds – 66 percent of those polled say they have paid bills using automatic bill pay services.

The online poll was conducted by American Consumer Credit Counselling - a national nonprofit that helps consumers with financial education, budgeting, and debt management. A total of 306 budget-conscious consumers participated in the poll at ConsumerCredit.com.

“This survey highlights a continuing trend of consumers paying and preferring to pay bills online,” said Steve Trumble, President and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling, which is based in Newton, Mass. “With more and more user friendly websites, mobile apps and automatic bill payment services, it is much easier to pay bills on time when you are paying online.”

With more digital and mobile options, the ACCC poll also shows the number of consumers paying bills online within the last year has spiked. A total of 48 percent of consumers are now paying more bills online than a year ago, the poll revealed. Almost 40 percent said they have paid with a mobile app or digital wallet such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Venmo.

The most popular payments made online were for credit card payments, mobile phones, and rent or mortgage.

“You no longer have to be tech-savvy to pay bills online,” said Trumble. “Banks, credit card companies and businesses are making it possible and user friendly to send payments with just one click.”

ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC.

About American Consumer Credit Counseling American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management and debt relief through education, credit counseling, and debt management solutions. Each month, ACCC invites consumers to participate in a poll focused on personal finance issues. The results are conveyed in the form of infographics that act as tools to educate the community on everyday personal finance issues and problems. By learning more about financial management topics such as credit and debt management, consumers are empowered to make the best possible financial decisions to reach debt relief. As one of the nation’s leading providers of personal finance education and credit counseling services, ACCC’s certified credit advisors work with consumers to help determine the best possible debt solutions for them. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. To participate in this month’s poll, visit ConsumerCredit.com and for more financial management resources visit TalkingCentsBlog.com .

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Source: Company press release.