Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!thunder.mcrcim.mcgill.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!think.com!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request From: johns@scroff.uk (John Slater) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: All Monthly Bills --> One Bill Message-ID: Date: 20 Feb 91 12:05:32 GMT Sender: news@casbah.acns.nwu.edu Reply-To: John Slater Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc. Lines: 55 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 138, Message 4 of 8 Originator: telecom@delta.eecs.nwu.edu The National Westminster Bank here in the UK has a similar service. It's called Actionline. Here's how it works: There are several access numbers throughout the UK, so it's a local call for maybe half of the population. Voice prompts guide the customer through the process, but experienced users can interrupt these. I dial in my account number and PIN (not user-selectable, but 5 digits rather than the usual 4), and then select the options which are printed on the flimsy plastic card they gave me to carry around in my wallet : List of services : 01 for bill payments 02 for inter-account transfers (to and from savings, and the like) 03 for a mini statement (audio - last 5 transactions) 04 to order a statement (printed, by mail) 05 to order a cheque book 06 to order a paying-in book 07 for balance(s) (savings accounts as well as checking) 00 to end call On the reverse of the card are my personal two-digit codes for bill payments and transfers which I have set up (I get a supply of forms to do this). I have arranged for all my regular bills to be paid this way, including utilities and credit cards. Payment can be initiated immediately or up to one month in advance. This is very useful, particularly for credit card bills which I delay as long as possible to get the maximum interest-free period. I arrange the payment as soon as I get the bill, ensuring I don't forget to do it later. The system works either from a touch-tone phone or by voice recognition. They recommend the touch-tone method, and I normally use that. Out of curiosity I just tried the voice method, and it works very well indeed. It recognises digits 0-9 (including both "oh" and "zero"), and the words "yes", "no" and "stop" (to terminate a monetary amount). I get confirmation by mail of each transaction. I've been using it happily for about a year and like you, Pat, I've never had to deal with an error. The best thing about it is the cost. It started out at #3.50/quarter, but after six months they dropped the charge and it's now free. They even give out a free pocket touch-tone bleeper when you start the service, and I use this for my answering machine as well as the banking service. Disclaimer : I have no connection with NatWest other than as a satisfied customer. John Slater Sun Microsystems UK, Gatwick Office