How to Pay Your Chelco Bill Over the Phone

Paying your electric bill over the phone is a quick and convenient way to ensure your payment is made on time each month. Chelco, or Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative offers members the option to pay Chelco bills by phone using a debit/credit card or electronic check. Read on to learn more about paying your Chelco electric bill by phone.

Overview of Paying Chelco Bills by Phone

Chelco members have three main options for paying their electric bills each month – online, by mail, or over the phone. Many members appreciate the ease of paying by phone as it only takes a few minutes and can be done anytime.

To pay your Chelco bill by phone you simply need to call Chelco’s main customer service line at either (850) 892-2111 or toll-free at (800) 342-0990. Chelco’s customer service team is available to take payments from 7 00 AM to 5 00 PM CT Monday through Friday.

You should have your Chelco account number ready to give to the customer service rep when you call to make your payment. You will also need to give information about how you want to pay, such as a debit or credit card number or the details of your bank account for an electronic check. Payments made by phone do incur a small $2. 50 convenience fee per $500 increment.

Walkthrough of the Phone Payment Process

Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of what you can expect when paying your Chelco electric bill over the phone:

1. Call Chelco Customer Service – Dial either (850) 892-2111 or (800) 342-0990 during business hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT Monday through Friday.

2. Provide Account Information – When prompted, enter your 10-digit Chelco account number. This allows the representative to pull up your account.

3. Verify Account Details – The customer service rep will verify your name, address, and current account balance. Make sure all details are correct.

4. Give Method of Payment—State whether you’ll be using a debit or credit card or an electronic check to pay. Have your payment card or check details handy.

5. Make Payment – Provide your payment information to the representative to process your payment. The $2.50 convenience fee will apply as needed.

6. Get Confirmation—Make sure you get confirmation that your payment went through, and write down the number that you are given.

The whole call typically takes just 5-10 minutes. It’s faster and easier than mailing in a check!

Payment Methods Accepted for Phone Payments

Chelco lets you pay over the phone with either a debit or credit card or an electronic check. Here are some key details on each:

• Debit/Credit Card – Chelco accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express cards. A $2.50 convenience fee applies per $500 increment.

• Electronic Check – Provide your bank routing and account numbers for an electronic funds transfer. No convenience fees apply.

Chelco does not accept payments by cash or paper check over the phone. You’ll need to utilize either card or electronic check to pay conveniently by phone.

Helpful Tips for Paying Your Chelco Bill by Phone

Follow these tips for a smooth phone payment process:

• Have your Chelco account number and payment details ready before your call.

• Call during business hours to avoid long hold times. Mornings on Tuesday-Thursday are often less busy.

• Note the confirmation number at the end of the call to retain a payment record.

• Double check your payment amount before approving the transaction.

• Contact Chelco immediately if your payment confirmation seems to be missing.

Paying by phone is quick and easy when you’re prepared. Just allocate 5-10 minutes to take care of your electric bill.

Benefits of Paying Your Chelco Bill by Phone

There are many benefits to paying your electric bill by phone including:

• Convenience – Make payments anytime without stamps, checks or envelopes.

• Speed – Payment is processed immediately so you don’t have to worry about mail delays.

• Payment Record – You receive instant confirmation with a payment number for your records.

• Flexibility – Use your preferred card or electronic check to pay.

• Accessibility – Make payments from anywhere you have phone access.

• Reliability – Talk directly with a Chelco representative if any issues arise.

For fast, easy bill payment each month, phoning in your electric payment is certainly worth considering!

Can I Pay My Chelco Bill via Text or Chelco’s App?

At this time, Chelco does not offer bill pay by text or through their app “MyChelco”. The only remote payment options are online through Chelco’s account portal or over the phone.

However, you can use the MyChelco app for other convenient services like:

• Monitoring your usage
• Reporting outages
• Accessing billing history
• Updating account information

So download the free MyChelco app to manage your account, while still using phone payments for fast and easy bill payment each month.

Beware of Phone Payment Scams

Unfortunately, utility bill scams are common where scammers call demanding immediate payment and threatening disconnection. Chelco will never call members demanding immediate payment over the phone.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call Chelco at a verified number to report it. Never provide personal financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call to a verified Chelco number.

Stick to calling Chelco directly using the number on your monthly bill to pay correctly and safely by phone. Never feel pressured by aggressive callers – it’s likely a scam.

Phone Payment Tips to Remember

• Call (850) 892-2111 or (800) 342-0990 during business hours
• Have your account number, payment method, and amount ready
• Note your confirmation number at the end
• Double check payment amount before approving
• Watch for convenience fees on card payments
• Beware scams demanding immediate payment

Paying by phone takes just minutes and ensures on-time payment without the hassle of mailing checks. Consider adding this convenient option to your monthly bill payment routine at Chelco.