Pay it - Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are online payments?
An online payment gives you the option to buy any goods or services online and is becoming a popular choice of payment for many people.
We at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (MTCBC) recognise this, and are offering access to pay for the services we offer, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via our website. Online payments, also known as e-payments or internet payments, can be made using a credit or debit card and are completely secure. Further details about the security of your transaction are explained below.
Q. What can I pay online?
The 5 Services currently available are:
- Council Tax
- Business Rates
- Housing Rents
- Parking Permits
- Parking Season tickets
We will be making more services available online so please keep checking what we are offering so that you don’t miss out!
Q. What cards are accepted?
- Visa
- Delta
- Mastercard
- Solo
- Visa Electron
- Maestro
N.b. Currently we are unable to accept American Express, Diners Club or JCB cards.
Q. How do I pay online?
To make an online payment you will be asked for:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your reference/invoice number (shown on your payment bill/ticket)
- Your credit/debit card details
- The amount you are required to pay
Q. Will it show me how much I need to pay?
No. For security reasons the online payments system will not give you a balance on your accounts, so you will need to find this out before you can use the system. This will either be stated on your payment bill or ticket, or you can contact the relevant department of the council for this information.
Q. Can I pay more than one bill online?
Yes. The online payments system works using the “shopping basket” technology you may have seen on other websites. By following the simple steps on screen, you can pay a selection of bills in one go and pay through one easy transaction.
Q. Is the online payment system safe and secure?
Yes. Our secure payment system uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Technology, which is a standard supported by major internet browsers. This ensures that all the details entered into the system are protected by using 128-bit encryption when transmitted through the internet. All details that you provide are only used for the purpose of recording your payment and will not be passed onto to any third parties. In order to protect your security, please close your browser after completing your transaction
Q. When will my online payment be processed?
Your online payment will be processed within 3 working days from the day you made the payment. If a bill needs to be paid in less than 3 working days then you should contact the relevant department to arrange this and not use the E-payments system.
Q. Do I get charged if I pay online?
Debit Cards
No.
Credit Cards
Yes. MTCBC does not charge you to pay online, but there is a 2.74% charge levied by the bank if you choose to pay via credit card. This is calculated and added to the amount you wish to pay and you are then asked to confirm that you accept this surcharge by ticking the checkbox at the end of your transaction. If you choose not to accept this charge you may enter new card details at this point.
Q. Does the council keep my card details on the online payments system?
No. The council payment system communicates directly with your bank to gain authorisation that a payment can be made, and then your details are processed. You will have to re-enter your card details the next time you pay to maximise transactional security.
Q. Will I get a receipt of my payment?
Yes. Once your transaction has been processed a confirmation receipt will appear on screen for you to print and keep for your records if you so wish. If you provide a valid e-mail address then the receipt will be automatically e-mailed to you.
Q. What if my card is declined?
Cards will not be declined by MTCBC-they are refused by your bank. There are often many reasons for this, and you should contact your bank directly if this happens.
Q. Who should I contact if I experience any difficulties in making my payment?
If you experience any difficulties when trying to make a payment please contact the Cashiers office using the details below and we can check to see if your payment has been successful.
Tel no- 01685 725375
8.30am- 5.00pm- Monday- Thursday
8.30am- 4.30pm-Friday
Via e-mail- paymentenquiries@gov.uk
Q. Can I pay for services by any other methods?
Yes. Other payment methods such as Paypoint, Direct Debit, Telephone payment service and Payzone are available. Please contact the relevant department (details available on your bills) for further information.
|