PORT ANGELES — After a 5½-month service hiatus, city customers can once again pay their utility bills online.
In addition to resuming online payments, Port Angeles city officials announced Wednesday the launch of an automated system that allows customers to pay for utilities or buy a permit by phone.
Online and phone payments are now provided by Paymentus, a third-party vendor that specializes in secure transactions, city officials said.
To make a utility payment online, go to www.cityofpa.us/862/Utility-Bill-Pay. To pay by phone, call 844-446-6249.
To purchase a permit online, go to www.cityofpa.us/866/Permit-Pay. To buy a permit by phone, call 844-446-6488.
The city suspended online card payments after receiving 20 initial reports from customers who said their credit or debit card information had been compromised and fraudulent purchases made last July 24 and 25.
In addition to stopping online payments, the city would not accept credit card numbers written on invoices or read over the phone.
To reduce the inconvenience for those making payments in person, customer service hours — previously 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — were expanded to 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
A soft opening for the new system was held Monday.
The launch was announced in a Wednesday news release after successful internal testing, acting Finance Director Tess Agesson said.
“We’re just thrilled that it’s up and running,” Agesson said in a telephone interview.
“It’s been long road to get this point.
“We want to apologize for the inconvenience,” Agesson added. “We’re really, really glad to offer [online payments] again.”
Shortly after the reported data breach, the city hired Navigant Consulting Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based computer forensics accounting and investigations firm.
The results of that investigation were not available Wednesday.
“We are still waiting for a final report from the insurance company and the consultant that we hired to look into this,” Agesson said.
“We’re supposed to get that in the next two weeks.”
City Manager Dan McKeen was not immediately available for comment Wednesday. He had previously expressed frustration with delays in the investigation.
An insurance policy has capped the city’s expense of the computer forensics probe at $25,000, McKeen said in past interviews.
Agesson said the expanded customers service hours will likely be in place through the end of this month.
The proposed new customer service hours for February and beyond are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Agesson said.
The Paymentus system accepts Visa and Mastercard credit and debit card and Discover credit cards. Electronic checks also are accepted.
Anyone with questions on how to use the payment options should contact the city’s Customer Service department at 360-457-0411 or utilities@cityofpa.us.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
