Pay-by-phone

Pay-by-phone refers to the act of making a payment for a product or service using a telephone. This typically involves calling a dedicated phone number provided by the vendor and following automated prompts or speaking with a customer service representative to authorize the transaction. It is a convenient alternative to in-person transactions, mail-in payments, or online payment portals, particularly for those who may not have easy access to a computer, internet connection, or other digital payment methods. The payment is often processed via a credit card, debit card, or pre-paid account, with transaction details subsequently reflected on the cardholder's statement. Fees may apply depending on the service provider.

Pay-by-phone meaning with examples

• After a power outage, I received a bill from the electric company. Since their website was down, and I couldn't get to a physical payment location, I used pay-by-phone to quickly settle the balance and avoid late fees, providing my credit card details over the secure automated system.
• My elderly neighbor prefers pay-by-phone for his monthly phone bill. He finds it easier to navigate the automated prompts than to use the internet or drive to a payment center. He feels secure entering his bank details through the phone system.
• The parking authority offers pay-by-phone options for street parking, allowing drivers to pay their parking fee remotely after finding a spot. I'm thankful to pay-by-phone since I often run out of time and do not carry change. I do have to read signs though.
• A local doctor's office provides pay-by-phone to settle co-pays. The feature makes it convenient to pay without needing to log into a portal. All I need is to have my card details handy.
• If you are caught using a toll road with no coins, pay-by-phone allows you to pay your toll within a grace period to avoid penalties. Some people find it to be their lifesaver when they forget about their E-ZPass.