Step 4 — Bookmark Your Card Websites Using Favorites
Once you’re set up to pay online, you need to make it easy to access the webpages where you make your payment. To keep track of all the different card issuer sites, bookmark them so that you can find them quickly and effortlessly when you need them. There is an easy way to do this – bookmark the Sign-in page of the card issuer’s webpage using the Favorites option on your browser menu. Then create a designated folder just for the Sign-in pages.
Unlike other websites, financial websites often do not allow your username and/or password to be automatically stored in your web browser, so keep all your information about usernames and passwords safe but handy.
If you use Norton Internet Security™, you can use the Norton Identity Safe feature which can securely store your login information and automatically fill it in for you, so you can gain instant access to your account when you go to the Sign-in pages.
Quick Tip: Bookmarks stored in Favorites are stored only on your computer. Never access your financial accounts from public computers, which are more vulnerable to hackers who can set traps to obtain your sign-in and password information without your knowledge.
Step 5 — Opt in for Automatic Reminders
Many card sites give you the option to receive email alerts about when your bill has been issued, when your payment is due, or if your payment is late. If you are not automatically prompted to do this when you sign up for online payments, look for the option on the card issuers’ website. If you prefer keeping the number of emails low, sign up for the automatic payment reminders only.
Quick Tip: Many sites will prompt you to go completely paperless and receive all your statements by email. There are disadvantages to receiving statement this way, however. An email statement can be easy to overlook if you receive a lot of emails. Also, if your computer crashes and you have not printed your statements, you may not be able to recover the e-mails. Many people find a paper statement easier to check and an important physical reminder that it’s time to pay the credit card bills.
With just a little investment of time up front, you can make your life a little easier by paying bills online.
