1.   What is ePay?

ePay is an approved alternative to making your Chapter 13 plan payment by using your checking or savings account to make direct payments to the Trustee. In order to use this service you must have either an internet connection or touch tone phone, know your case number, last four digits of your social security number, your checking or savings account number and federal bank routing number, and a valid email address.

 

 

2.    My case number does not fit into the space allotted.

ePay utilizes an abbreviated version of your case number. Enter only 7 digits of your case number. For example if your full case number is 5:12-bk-12345J, you will enter 12-12345 on the ePay screen.

 

 

3.   I have forgotten my password.  How do I get a new one?

On the ePay login page, there is a link called "Password Help?" You will be asked for your Login IDand email address. The system will send you a temporary password to the email address associated with your online account.  Once you receive the new password, enter it into the login page. You will then be prompted to change your temporary password to one of your choice.  When prompted to enter your old password enter the temporary password that you received via email to access your account.

 

 

4.   Can I change my password?

Yes, once you are logged in, click on "Change My Password" under the "My Account" section to change your password.  You will have to answer two of your security questions first and then enter your old password followed by the new password.

 

 

5.   Why is my account locked?

There are several reasons why your account may become locked:

 

       Your account may become locked because of multiple failed login attempts. You can email us at gooding.epay@ark13.com to request a reset of your account.

 

       The Trustee has locked your account. The Trustee reserves the right to lock your account and prevent a debtor from making payments through this service.  The main reasons why the Trustee would lock an account include:

 

o    a non-sufficient funds payment (NSF);

o   a debtor placing a Stop Payment on submitted funds;

o   or the completion, conversion or dismissal of your case. 

 

If your account has been locked and you are still required to make payments, please send payments to our lockbox address at Jack W Gooding Chapter 13 Trustee, 4030 Momentum Place, Chicago, IL 60689-5340.

 

6.   The system says my information is invalid?

If your case is a joint case and the last four digits of social security number do not work, try the last four digits of the other party in your case.

 

7.   Where do I find my Checking/Savings routing and account numbers?

The Routing and Account Numbers are located on the bottom of your check. The Routing Number is always a 9 digit number and appears to the left of your Account Number. DO NOT look for these numbers on a deposit slip for a checking account, as the Routing Number may be different on that document. If you are unable to find your Routing Number or Account Numbers, please contact your banking institution for assistance.

 

 

8.   Do I need to input my Checking/Savings account number each time I use ePay?

No, the ePay system can store multiple account numbers and you will be able to choose an account from those you have previously entered.

 

9.   Will I receive a confirmation email upon making my payment?

Yes, you will receive an email after scheduling a payment and an email once the payment is processed. You will also receive an email if your payment is returned due to insufficient funds in your bank account or if you entered an incorrect account number when scheduling your payment.

 

 

10. How soon will the payment be taken from my account and be posted to my bankruptcy case?

Payments made prior to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except Federal bank holidays), will be debited from your account the same day and should be posted to your bankruptcy case the following business day. It will take 1-2 business days after posting to your case to appear online at "www.ark13.com" and through the National Data Center website. It may take 2 - 4 business days for your payment to appear on your online bank account statement.

 

 

11. Why are my payments held for 10 days?

Epay payments post to your bankruptcy case within 24 hours but are placed on hold for 10 days. This is done to prevent funds from disbursing to creditors in your case during a time when a payment could be returned as Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF). After 10 days, the funds are available for disbursement to your creditors.

 

 

12. Once I have enrolled, do I have to useePay every month?

No, you may send your payments to the Trustee through any of the payment options offered by the Trustee at www.ark13.com.

 

 

13. Can I make partial payments?

Yes. You may make several smaller payments throughout the month. However, please keep in mind that a $1.50 transaction fee is assessed each time you use the ePay service.

 

14. Can I schedule payments in advance?

You may log in and schedule a payment or multiple payments 365 days in advance. 

 

 

15. Can I set up recurring payment?

Yes, you may set up recurring payments.

 

 

16. Is there a minimum or maximum to how much I can pay at one time?

Yes, the minimum is $2.00 and the maximum is $10,000.00 per transaction. This is subject to change at any time.

 

 

17. What is the $1.50 Transaction Fee?

This is a bank-processing fee and covers the cost of providing this service to debtors and the Trustee. The Trustee does not receive this money. You do not need to add the $1.50 fee to your payment when entering your payment amount ; it will be automatically added and deducted from your bank account as part of your payment.

 

 

18. Why does my Monthly Plan Payment still show as being due on the epay screen?

The case information on the Account Summary page is static information; it does not reflect current payments.  It is presented for informational purposes only. Click the Payment History tab to view your current payment and any historical payments made using epay. 

 

 

19. Why are not all of my payments listed in Payment History?

The ePay Payment History only displays payments made through ePay.  It will not display payments made through the telephone, through TFS or through the lockbox. Debtors have immediate access to their entire case information and history online at www.ark13.com.

 

 

20. What happens if my payment is returned as Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF)?

It is very important that before you start this payment process you verify your bank account has sufficient funds to cover the transaction. If you submit a payment without having enough funds in your bank account to cover the transaction, the result will most likely be a Non-Sufficient Funds transaction. If this occurs, your bank account will be overdrawn and you may incur fees from your bank. In addition, the Trustee may lock your account preventing you from using the ePay system for the remaining duration of your bankruptcy case.