XN000022-1993-12-05 — Page 2

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1993

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NEW PHONE-IN SERVICE TO SETTLE BILLS

* * * * *

STARTING FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER

9),

THE

PUBLIC MAY SETTLE NEW COLLECTION

A.

RATES, WATER AND TAX BILLS BY TELEPHONE UNDER SERVICE INTRODUCED BY THE TREASURY AND INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.

THE NEW PAYMENT-BY-PHONE SERVICE IS A 24-HOUR SERVICE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL PRE-REGISTERED USERS WHO CAN USE THEIR TONE PHONES TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS DIRECTLY ΤΟ SETTLE THEIR BILLS.

ONCE REGISTERED, CALLERS CAN PAY THEIR BILLS BY DIALLING SPECIAL TELEPHONE NUMBER, FOLLOWING VOICE PROMPTS TO KEY IN AN ACCESS CODE, ACCOUNT NUMBER AND THE AMOUNT OF THE BILL.

AT THE END OF EACH TRANSACTION, A REFERENCE NUMBER GIVEN FOR CUSTOMERS REFERENCE AND ENQUIRIES.

WILL BE

MOST ATM CARDHOLDERS CAN REGISTER TO BECOME A USER OF THE NEW

SERVICE.

THE FIRST REGISTRATION SHOULD BE PERFORMED AT THE REGISTRATION TERMINALS TO BE INSTALLED AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES OF THE TREASURY, INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, CSL SHOPS AND HK TELECOM SERVICE CENTRES.

SUBSEQUENT REGISTRATION FOR ADDITION OR DELETION OF ACCOUNTS CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE TELEPHONE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW SERVICE SHOULD BECAUSE IT WAS A CONVENIENT WAY TO SETTLE BILLS.

BE POPULAR

"USERS CAN JUST CALL IN TO MAKE PAYMENT AND THE WHOLE PROCESS WILL ONLY TAKE ONE TO THREE MINUTES TO COMPLETE; HENCE OBVIATING THE NEED TO QUEUE UP IN THE COLLECTION OFFICES OR TO SEND PAYMENT BY POST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

||

FURTHERMORE, PAYMENT THROUGH TELEPHONE FOR RATES AND WATER BILLS BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON THE PAYMENT DUE DATE WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED ON THE SAME DAY. SURCHARGES ON LATE PAYMENT CAN BE AVOIDED.

FOR ENQUIRIES OF THE NEW SERVICE, THE PUBLIC CAN CALL THE TREASURY ON TEL 829 5184 OR INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 877 9111.

A GENERAL ENQUIRY HOTLINE OF THE

SERVICE

(ENGLISH) OR 170 222 328 (CHINESE) IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

170 222 329

LEAFLETS ABOUT THE NEW SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES OF TREASURY AND INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.

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