eCheck Check Number

[sierranne]

Is there a reason why a check number is required for echeck payment method? Can we make it an optional field?

[CnP.Support]

Good day!

I moved this topic to a new post as it was not related to the thread. It is always best to start a new thread with new topic.

The check number is a requirement by the bank. We prefer not to ask any questions but the challenge is the gateways require information to process the transaction. Check Number is also reported by the bank in their transactions report to the end user.

Hope that helps. Sorry we cannot omit it. We wish we could.

[sierranne]

Sorry about that! Thank you for moving the post. We have donors who stated they will not donate until the field is optional because they don't have physical checks with numbers and don't want to "make up" a number. If the field has to remain required could additional information or a "help button" be added to inform the donor what a check number is and why it's a required field?

[CnP.Support]

Good day!

This is not our choice - believe me. We prefer only to take people's account number.. no home address, no nothing.. only money.. give you your donations .. As you see it is to both of our benefits.. easy giving by donors and you receive your donations and we receive our fees.. Great.. success.. right?

The problem is all the information we collect is to stop fraud. Banks stop ACH with the same check number. If anyone knows the routing number and account number using forms such as ours they can validate it and deplete the accounts. ACH is also a delayed response. We have experienced attacks with ACH where account numbers are verified.. attackers are not aware that any routing number or account number will post .. but they will decline in 24 hours. ACH, in our opinion, is extremely resource intensive for the nonprofit with the highest cost. These days banks issue Visa ATM for this very purpose - you could use your Visa check card instead of giving out your routing number and account number.

Here are a few facts about ACH - this is not us.. but what ACH is all about.

• ACH is NOT a real time authorization - an ACH check posted will receive Authorized or Decline in 24 hours and you may get a returned check and a $35 fee by the bank. A bounced check is always incurring a fee by the issuing bank. I am sure you know what I am referring to. So... a donation of $15 may return a bounced fee of $35 if the account number is mistyped.
• eChecks assume that you are recording the check and as such have a checkbook. So this is an old school assumption - frankly last time I ordered a check was 20 years ago.. not so good old days.
• Credit card is real time authorization - a decline is immediate. The most fee one incurs for a decline card is $0.35 per transaction fee.

Banks require this and even if they do not, it will be one less check against fraud. Your patron is better off making a check number policy for themselves, e.g. 20200523 - this also gives them an idea when they wrote the check and if it is fraud or not.

Just some thoughts. I am one of the project leaders and also a developer.. I know the system inside out and know what gateways and banks need and what fraud does to nonprofits. We are here to protect you more than anything else.. otherwise by creating obstacles we are also limiting our own revenue.. hope you see my point.

[sierranne]

Thank you so much for the in-depth detail and for your help. I completely understand and will relay the information to our donors. Have a great day!