Paying your utility bill should be quick and easy. That’s why the Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) offers a variety of convenient payment options for customers, including pay by phone. With FGUA’s automated pay-by-phone system, you can make payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without ever having to leave your home.
Overview of Paying FGUA Bills by Phone
The FGUA’s pay-by-phone system allows customers to pay their water and wastewater bills over the phone using an automated system. After setting up an account, you can simply call the toll-free number anytime day or night to make a payment on your account using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check
Paying by phone is one of the most convenient ways to pay your FGUA bill because it can be done anytime, even when the FGUA offices are closed. As long as you have your account information and a method of payment ready, the entire process only takes a few minutes.
Below is an overview of how to use the FGUA’s pay-by-phone system:
-
Set up an account—In order to use the pay-by-phone system, you must already have an active account with the FGUA.
-
Prepare your account details, such as your 10-digit FGUA account number and the amount you owe.
-
Call the toll-free number – The number to call is 1-855-396-1256. This automated system is available 24/7.
-
Follow the prompts – Enter your account information and payment details via your phone keypad
-
Receive payment confirmation – After the payment goes through, you will receive a confirmation number for your records.
It’s really that easy. You can pay your FGUA bill over the phone in just a few minutes, so you never have to worry about going to an office or paying on time.
Benefits of Paying Your FGUA Bill by Phone
There are a lot of good things about using the automated system to pay your FGUA bill over the phone:
It’s fast – The entire payment process takes just a few minutes. You don’t have to wait in any lines or be put on hold.
It’s available anytime – The automated pay-by-phone system can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can make a payment whenever it’s convenient for you.
No trip to an office required – You can pay your bill from the comfort of your home so you save yourself the drive time.
Multiple payment methods accepted – The system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. You can choose which payment method works best for you.
Payment confirmation provided – After paying, you will receive a confirmation number to retain for your records so you have proof of payment.
Avoid late fees – Since you can pay anytime, you won’t have to worry about forgetting a due date and incurring late fees.
Access account information – In addition to making payments, you can also access account balance and payment history details through the automated system.
It’s secure – Your financial information is securely encrypted to protect your privacy.
Paying by phone really maximizes convenience and takes the hassle out of paying bills.
Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your FGUA Bill by Phone
Ready to give the pay-by-phone system a try? Just follow these simple steps:
1. Have Your Account Information Ready
Before calling, make sure you have your 10-digit FGUA account number handy as you will need to enter it. You will also need to know the amount that you currently owe on your account so you can pay the proper amount. Take a quick look at your latest bill or check your account status online to get these details.
2. Call 1-855-396-1256
This is the toll-free phone number for the FGUA automated pay-by-phone system. You can call from any phone – cell phone or landline. The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call anytime it’s convenient for you.
3. Select Your Language Preference
When the system answers, you will be prompted to select English, Spanish, or French as your language preference for proceeding with the call. Make your selection using your phone keypad.
4. Enter Your 10-Digit Account Number
After selecting your language, you will be prompted by the automated system to enter your 10-digit FGUA account number followed by the pound (#) sign. Carefully enter the numbers on your phone keypad.
5. Select Payment Option
Next, you will need to indicate whether you want to make a current bill payment or payment arrangement by pressing 1 for current bill payment.
6. Enter Payment Amount
You will then be asked to enter the payment amount you wish to pay followed by the pound (#) sign. Carefully enter the full balance or payment portion you wish to pay.
7. Select Payment Method
When prompted, select your preferred payment method – 1 for credit/debit card, 2 for electronic check, or 3 to repeat options. Enter the number on your keypad.
8. Enter Payment Details
Provide the required information for your selected payment method. For credit/debit card, enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV code. For electronic check, enter your checking account number and routing number.
9. Listen to Payment Confirmation
Stay on the line to hear your payment confirmation number. Be sure to write this down and retain it for your records. It provides proof that you paid your bill.
And that’s it – you’re all done! By following these simple steps, you can complete your FGUA bill payment by phone quickly and hassle-free.
Helpful Tips for Paying Your FGUA Bill by Phone
To ensure the phone payment process goes smoothly, keep the following tips in mind:
-
Have all your account and payment information handy before you call.
-
Follow the voice prompts carefully and enter information slowly and clearly.
-
Use your phone keypad to enter information – do not speak this sensitive information.
-
Have your credit/debit card ready if using one to pay.
-
Double check account numbers entered to avoid errors.
-
Write down your confirmation number at the end of the call.
-
Contact FGUA customer service if you need help or have questions.
Taking a few minutes to prepare and following all instructions carefully will allow you to quickly pay your bill over the phone.
What Payment Methods Can Be Used?
The FGUA automated pay-by-phone system gives you convenient options when it comes to how you want to pay your bill. You can make a payment using:
Credit or Debit Card – Major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted. Debit cards with a major credit card logo can also be used. You will need to enter your full card number, expiration date, and CVV security code.
Electronic Check – Paying directly from your checking account is another option. You will need to enter your account number and routing number.
No Cash – Please note that the system cannot accept cash payments. You must use a credit/debit card or electronic check when paying by phone.
No Automatic Recurring Payments – The phone payment system is for one-time payments only. You cannot set up automatic recurring payments. For recurring payments, you would need to enroll in FGUA’s separate E-Z Pay program.
Having these payment method options allows you to pay your bill in the way that is most convenient and cost-effective for your financial situation each month.
Can I Get Account Information by Phone?
In addition to making one-time bill payments, the FGUA pay-by-phone system also allows you to:
- Check your account balance
- Obtain payment history details
- Hear details about any past due amounts or pending disconnection status
To access this account information rather than make a payment, simply follow the voice prompts. You will still need to enter your 10-digit account number to validate your identity.
Accessing your account details by phone is useful if you ever need a quick overview of your account status or need specifics about your payment history that you want to confirm. Just call in anytime 24/7.
However, keep in mind that you cannot change any account information or update your contact details over the phone system. To make account changes or edits, you would need to contact FGUA customer service during regular business hours.
When Should I Avoid Paying by Phone?
While the FGUA pay-by-phone system is extremely convenient for making one-time bill payments, there are a couple scenarios when you may want to avoid paying by phone and use a different option instead:
-
Past Due or Disconnect Payments – If your account reflects a past due balance or has received a disconnect notice, you should call or visit an FGUA customer service office to pay rather than use the automated system. Special handling is required for these situations.
-
Customer Account Changes – As mentioned above, you cannot update or change your account details or information through the pay-by-phone system. You’ll need to reach out to an FGUA representative directly to update contact information, re-establish service, change automatic payments, etc.
-
Automatic Recurring Payments – If you want to setup automatic recurring bill payment through a program like E-Z Pay, you’ll need to complete paperwork with FGUA customer service rather than use the automated phone system, which can only process one-time payments.
While the phone payment system won’t meet every billing need, it does provide a super convenient option for quickly paying your monthly utility bill or making a one-time payment on your account anytime day or night.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pay-By-Phone
Here are answers to some common questions customers have about the FGUA’s pay-by-phone system:
Is there a fee to use the pay-by-phone system?
No, FGUA does not charge a fee to use the automated system. However, your phone plan charges for calls may apply.
Can I pay using my smartphone?
Yes, you can call in and pay just as easily from your smartphone as you can from a landline.
What if I enter the wrong account information by mistake?
You will be given two attempts to enter the correct account number. After a second failed attempt, you will be transferred to speak to a representative for assistance.
What are the payment number options?
Press 1 for current bill payment. Press 2 for payment arrangements on a past due balance.
Can I save or store my payment information?
No, for security reasons, you need to fully enter your credit/debit card or checking account information each time you pay by phone. Your information is not retained in the system.
What if I lose the confirmation number?
You can contact FGUA customer service to obtain your confirmation number again by providing the payment date and amount.
Being able to pick up the phone and take just a few minutes to pay your utility bill anytime 24/7 is an amazing convenience. FGUA’s pay-by-phone system allows busy customers to quickly handle this important task at their convenience day or night. By following the step-by-step process, you can easily use the automated system to pay your bill or access your account status by phone.
