Authorize.Net E-Check Processing

 

 


Authorize.Net provides an exclusive, fully integrated electronic check payment method, eCheck.Net. Using eCheck.Net, merchants can accept and process payments from consumer and corporate bank accounts directly from their Web site or through the Authorize.Net Virtual Terminal. By accepting electronic checks, you expand the payment options available to new and existing customers, enhancing customer loyalty and potentially increasing sales.
  • Lower Fees - Lower rates than credit cards or PayPal.
  • More Efficient - eCheck.Net does everything online, eliminating the cost and inconvenience of manually processing paper checks and waiting for checks in the mail.
  • Fully Integrated Solution - No third-party integration required—implementing eCheck.Net is easy for merchants already using the Authorize.Net Payment Gateway.
  • Integrated Reporting - Provides a combined view of all eCheck.Net and credit card payment transactions. Reconcile payment and billing activity using online reports and statements.
  • Ship Product Sooner - Improved up-front transaction validation that returns the status of transactions faster.
  • Security - Authorize.Net uses the latest 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology for secure Internet Protocol (IP) transactions.
Basic Electronic Check Process Diagram



Step 1: A customer initiates an electronic check transaction, with authorization to charge their bank account, via Web form or mail order/telephone order. Once the transaction is submitted, order and payment information is securely transmitted via the Internet to the Authorize.Net Payment Gateway. The transaction is accepted or rejected based on initial data validation and security criteria defined by the payment gateway.

Step 2: If accepted, Authorize.Net formats the transaction information and sends it as an ACH transaction to its bank (the ODFI) with the rest of the electronic check transactions received that day.

Step 3: The ODFI passes the transaction information to the ACH Network for settlement. The ACH Network uses the bank account information provided with the transaction to determine the bank that holds the customer’s account (the RDFI).

Step 4: The ACH Network instructs the RDFI to charge or refund the customer’s account (the customer is the Receiver).

Step 5: The RDFI passes funds from the customer’s account to the ACH Network. The RDFI also notifies the ACH Network of any returns (in the event that funds for a transaction could not be collected from the customer’s bank account) or chargebacks (in the event that a customer disputes a purchase). In the event of a returned transaction, Authorize.Net will post the return to the merchant.

Step 6: The ACH Network relays the funds for the transaction to the ODFI (Authorize.Net’s bank).

Step 7: The ODFI passes any returns to Authorize.Net.

Step 8: After the holding period, Authorize.Net initiates a separate ACH transaction to deposit eCheck.Net funds to the merchant’s bank account.

Finalized Electronic Check Diagram