Alliance Knowledge Base

What is the time frame a consumer is allowed to dispute a transaction after it has been settled and funded by the receiving bank?

Keith Mangold — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:53:00 GMT

Abstract:

NACHA Rules, along with Regulation E state that the consumer has 60 days from statement date to dispute a transaction. However, if fraud is suspected or proper copies of authorizations can not be obtained by the receiving bank, the time frame can exceed several years.

For example: If a debit transaction is sent to a consumer on 5/3/2006, the bank mails the statement of monthly activity on 6/1/2006, then the consumer has until roughly 8/1/2006 to dispute the transaction.

What constitute a chargeback?

Keith Mangold — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 00:22:00 GMT

Abstract:

Their are several different return codes that constitue a chargeback:

R05 - Unauthorized Debit Entry to Consumer Account
R07 - Authorization Revoked by Customer
R08 - Payment Stopped
R10 - Customer Advises Not Authorized
R29 - Corporate Customer Advises Not Authorized

If a transaction is returned with any of the above return reasons, the item is considered a Chargeback.

In addition to the above, the Alliance Gateway has what is called a "Late Return." A late return is any item that is returned AFTER settlement. For example, if an item is SETTLED to the Merchant and it later is returned as R09 (Uncollected Funds), or R10 (Not Authorized) it will be considered a Late Return and a debit from the Merchant's account will be initiated.

Reminder: Per NACHA regulation, any Originator (the Merchant) is not to exceed 2.5% of transactions being returned as a Chargeback.

Can you explain the time intervals between going from transmitted to pending and then to settled?

Keith Mangold — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 01:01:00 GMT

Abstract:

The transaction flow and schedule is as follows:

Pending - The transaction is created by the Merchant for submission. Transaction is pending transmission to the Federal Reserve Bank. Please refer to the Origination Cutoff Schedule for transmission times. When a transaction is in this state it can be revised or voided before Fed submission.
Transmitted - Each processing day (Monday thru Friday, excluding Federal Banking Holidays) around 5:30 pm Pacific Time, all transactions in the Pending status are sent to the Federal Reserve Bank for delivery to the receiving account. Once a transaction is in the Transmitted status it can not be revised or voided.

This day is considered "Day 0."
Transactions will stay in the Transmitted status for up to four (4) days, pending return by the receiving bank. The received bank does not send back confirmation if the transaction was successfull, however, they are given by NACHA rules, up to 4 days to return the item. Please refer to the ACH Return Reasons listing for details of the different return reasons.

Waiting for return during Day 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Settled - At the end of Day 4, any transactions that have not been returned are sent to the Merchant's account.
On Day 5, the Merchant will receive the funds in their account as an ACH Credit.

Alliance uses the "Good Funds Model" to ensure that the money is debited from the consumers account before submitting the ACH Credit (the settlement) through to the Merchants account.

Sample Calendar:

Decembe

Is there a way that I can a list of all of my recurring customers only?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 06:39:00 GMT

Abstract:

Yes! To do so:

Login to the WebGateway
Click on Transactions --> Recurring Transactions
Click on the Run Report button

When complete, the system will display a listing of all recurring items and their recurring status, next submission date, and number of recurring items.

What is a storage/memorized transaction?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 02:54:00 GMT

Abstract:

A stored, or memorized transaction is a utility that allows you to save consumer account information in the WebGateway for future submission without have to re-enter their checking/savings account information.

For example:

John Smith purchases Widgets from your company. Mr. Smith wants his account to be debited via ACH for each order. However, each time his invoice is for a different dollar amount and happens randomly, sometimes once a month, other times, every few days.

Instead of having to enter his account information into a Manual Transaction each time for every order, you can use the Stored/Memorized Transaction utility.

Enter his account information once, then return when necessary and override the dollar amount and memo (if necessary) and submit! No need to find out what his checking/savings account number is every time.

Other Uses:

Paying Contractors
Intercompany Account Transfers
Saving Customer Account Information

Submitting a Stored/Memorized Transaction

Keith Mangold — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 02:53:00 GMT

Abstract:

Submitting a Stored Transaction

Login to the WebGateway
Locate and click on the Transactions button on top of the screen.
Locate and click on the Storage option, a list of all your stored transactions will appear.
Locate the transaction you want to submit.
Click on the submit button at the end of the line for the appropriate transaction. You will be presented with the detailed information for this transaction.
- Login to the WebGateway
- Locate and click on the Transactions button on the top of the screen.
- Locate and click on the Storage option.
- Locate and click on the Add New button
- Enter the Appropriate information:

Can I pay setup fees by credit card?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:09:00 GMT

Abstract:

No. At this time all fees for Alliance services must be paid via direct withdraw, ACH.

Alliance Payment Technologies, Inc. is in the beginning stages of developing our Credit Card services, which will include the capability to pay fees using this method.

Are transaction fees settled from each batch, or once a month?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:30:00 GMT

Abstract:

Transaction fees, including Returns, NOC's, Discounts, and Reserves, are settled from each individual batch on a daily basis.

Monthly billing is done on a case-by-case basis and generally reserved for Payroll Processors only. All merchants on monthly fee settlement are processed on the 1st business day of the month.

Merchants requesting monthly billing should contact our Merchant Suppot Department at 1-800-675-1330.

Can I choose to get reports by mail?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:19:00 GMT

Abstract:

Currently reports are only available by using the WebGateway at https://gateway.allianceach.com/, and not available via email.

Automatic report generation and delivery is on the future release list for Version 2.x slated for Q2 2006.

Does my password expire?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:33:00 GMT

Abstract:

Yes, Operator passwords expire every 90 days from the last time it has been changed.

When a password expires, during the next login attempt, the Operator will be prompted to enter a new password in order to continue.

Note: XML Requester passwords DO NOT expire, however it is suggested that they are changed every 90-120 days.

How do I reset an expired password?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:30:00 GMT

Abstract:

Their are two ways to reset an expired password:

Operator Correction:

When a password expires, the Operator will be prompted to enter a new password when logging in.
Merchant Administrator:

A Merchant Administrator can login to the WebGateway and change the password for an Operator.

a. Login to the WebGateway
b. Click on Settings then Operator Management
c. Click on Edit next to the Operator you wish to edit
d. Click on the Change Password link at the top of the page
e. Enter in a new password and click the Change Password button

What are the minimum password requirements?

Keith Mangold — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:26:00 GMT

Abstract:

The minimum password requirements for the WebGateway system are:

Must be at least 8 characters long
Must contain at least one (1) numeric character
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Must contain at least one special character
!, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, (, )

Passwords are NOT case-sensitive.