PayNearMe and InfoSend Give Fairfield Residents New Cash Utility Payment Options

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PayNearMe Inc., the cash transaction network, announced today that the City of Fairfield, California is the first municipal utility to offer its customers the ability to pay their bills with cash at local 7-Eleven stores. This arrangement is made possible through a strategic relationship between PayNearMe and InfoSend, Inc., the billing service provider for the City of Fairfield.

InfoSend uses PayNearMe's Embedded Barcode Remittance (EBR) technology to offer an easy, inexpensive and convenient payment option to individuals who prefer to pay their bills in cash, as well as the more than 60 million adults who are unbanked or underbanked. Because these individuals do not use bank accounts, they often have to rely upon inconvenient and potentially expensive walk-up payment systems.

With PayNearMe's EBR technology, InfoSend is able to print a unique barcode directly onto each City of Fairfield utility bill. Upon receipt of the bill, customers can go to any local 7-Eleven where their bar code is scanned at the register. They complete the transaction by paying in cash in a process that takes less than 60 seconds. The funds immediately post to customers' accounts, and they receive detailed receipts for proof of payment.

Because 7-Eleven stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Fairfield customers gain greater flexibility in how and when they pay their utility bills. They also have the security of knowing that their payments have been received and posted. Through these transactions, 7-Eleven stores act as supplementary cash payment locations without costing the City of Fairfield overhead. As a result, PayNearMe's EBR technology can decrease Fairfield's costs by significantly reducing the number of customers who visit the City's payment locations.

"With recent economic changes, it has become increasingly important to our community to have more options in bill payment. Specifically, customers need cash alternatives to traditional payment avenues," said Wade Brown, financial services manager for the City of Fairfield.

There were no technical requirements for the City of Fairfield to take on with the addition of PayNearMe services because InfoSend had already integrated PayNearMe's technology into its billing operations. Similarly, any of InfoSend's 200 other utility partners can add this cash payment option because InfoSend is now armed with a turnkey solution.

"Our relationship with InfoSend makes it remarkably simple for the City of Fairfield or any other utility partner to present a cash payment alternative that suits the needs of its customers," said Danny Shader, CEO and founder of PayNearMe. "Our EBR technology can change the lives of millions of unbanked or underbanked utility customers. We look forward to helping InfoSend's partners and their customers fundamentally alter the way bills are paid."

To learn more about PayNearMe's EBR technology, please visit www.paynearme.com

About City of Fairfield

The City of Fairfield, CA is located in northern California between the San Francisco bay area and Sacramento, and encompasses Travis Air Force Base. Its diverse population numbers about 106,000, is home to several major corporations, a robust agricultural community, a stabilizing economy, two school districts, and affords its residents a great place to live, work, and play.  For more information, visit www.fairfield.ca.gov.

About InfoSend, Inc.

InfoSend is a Billing Service Provider utilizing the most advanced approach to offer innovative solutions for organizations seeking eBilling, ePayment, Data Processing, and BillPrint & Mail services. With geographically positioned production facilities, InfoSend's clients receive efficient and reliable document delivery service, nationwide coverage and disaster recovery protection.  Billers deserve an approach that works, and InfoSend can provide that by customizing programs to fit clients' needs while significantly reducing total overhead costs. Together, let's reach your customers more effectively.

For more information, visit www.infosend.com.

About PayNearMe

PayNearMe is the cash transaction network that enables consumers to pay conveniently with cash for a wide variety of goods and services from leading companies in e-commerce, consumer finance, transportation and beyond. Consumers pay easily at a local store, starting at 6,200 7-Eleven stores across the United States. PayNearMe was selected as Best in Show at FinovateFall 2010. For more information, visit www.paynearme.com.

SOURCE PayNearMe