INDEX

Overview

System Requirements

Video Presentation of Credit Card Module(Click here to see video viewing instructions)

Processing Payment

Payment Methods

Alternative Payment Methods

Court’s Handling of Credit Cards

Adversary Proceeding Fees Not Applicable/Fees Exempt

Reports

Lockout

Restoring ECF After Lockout

Credit Card Transaction ID

Pop-Up Blocker

Events That May Require a Filing Fee

Filing a New Bankruptcy Case

Pay Now

Continue Filing

Installment Payments

Additional Filing Fee for  Bifurcation and/or Conversion

Making Credit Card Payment (not made at the time of filing)

Invalid Card

Receipt Entry

Credit Card Payment History

Saving the Report to Excel

 Receiving Calls Regarding Internet Credit Card Payments

Frequently Asked Question

Court Contact Information

Overview
The Credit Card module is designed to allow you, the filer, to pay filing fees to the U.S. Treasury via the Internet as part of the electronic filing process. The module offers advantages that include the ability to:

• Pay the filing fee over the Internet with a credit card at any time
• Review the history of credit card transaction payments
• Review outstanding payments due to the court
• Request on-line payment of any unpaid balance

After submission of the credit card information, the filing fee is paid directly to the U.S. Treasury. A transaction receipt displays and is docketed to the case immediately.

System Requirements
In order to successfully use the Credit Card module, your browser must have 128-bit encryption. Follow the instructions below to determine if the browser supports 128-bit encryption

NOTE: Effective August 28, 2005, and thereafter, for pleadings filed that require a filing fee, it will be necessary to exclusively use Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.

Microsoft Internet Explorer (4.x, 5.x, 6.x)
1. Click on the “Help” tab on your menu bar at the top of the screen
2. Scroll down and select “About Internet Explorer”
3. A small window appears in the center of your screen indicating the version, as well as the encryption or cipher strength of your browser (either 40-bit, 56-bit, or 128-bit.). If the screen indicates that you have a 40-bit or 56-bit version, or if it does not indicate the encryption level, you will need to upgrade to a version with 128-bit encryption.

Netscape Navigator/Communicator (4.x or greater)
1. Click on the “Help” tab on your menu bar at the top of the screen.
2. Scroll down and select “About Navigator” or “About Communicator”.
3. A screen appears that lists the details of your browser. Look for a section on the left and toward the middle that begins “Contains encryption software from RSA Data Security, Inc...” If the next paragraph begins, “This version supports U.S. security...,” your browser has 128-bit encryption. If it states that you have international security, your browser has 40-bit or 56-bit encryption and you will need to upgrade to a version with 128-bit encryption. Various versions of Netscape word their security or encryption functionality somewhat differently. Version 7.01 states: "This version supports high-grade (128-bit) security with RSA Public Key Cryptography, DSA, MD2, MD5, RC2-CBC, RC4, DES-CBC, DES-EDE3-CBC." Be sure to check that the version you are using states'128-bit' security or encryption.

Instructions on use of Video Presentation of Credit Card Module
The video presentation of the Credit Card module, titled "Credit Card Payment of Filing Fees via the Internet", is accessible by clicking the "bold" video hyperlink located at the top left side of the document under INDEX. You can also access the video here by clicking: http://www.vaeb.uscourts.gov/cmecfcc/paynowhtm . Once you have accessed the video, please note the control buttons located at the lower right portion of the screen. You can identify these buttons by placing your cursor over each button. From left to right, these buttons are: Rewind, Back, Play, Pause, Forward and Exit. (The button farthest to the right is not a control button.)

Please note: If you wish to print any of the video frames, you may do so by clicking the pause button located at the lower right portion of the screen; then click Print from the file menu.

NOTE: DO NOT use the “back button” during the payment process.

Court Contact Information

Court's Handling of Credit Cards
The court will no longer maintain credit card authorization forms.

Credit Card Payment Due used for payment of outstanding fees and to verify that a fee (if applicable) has been removed from your account.

Credit Card Payment History used to review history of credit card payments

Restoring ECF After Lockout
When an account has been locked, menu options are disabled and a blank screen displays after you log in.

NOTE: The account is restored after payment, but menu options will not display until the computer is refreshed. You should proceed as follows to refresh the computer and unlock your account:

Log into ECF using your CM/ECF attorney login and password

• A blank screen is displayed. No menu options will display

• In Netscape right-click in the screen and select “Reload [Frame]”

• In Internet Explorer right-click in the screen and select “Refresh”

• All menu options should display

NOTE: When sharing a computer with someone whose account was locked the last time that users logged on, you, the current user, will be required to refresh after you log in.

Pop-Up Blocker
Pop-up blocker software will prevent the Electronic Payment window from displaying and must either be disabled or uninstalled. If you have to disable the pop-up blocker, you may need to clear your cache.

To clear your cache in Internet Explorer:

1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options. The Internet Options box should open to the General tab.
2. On the General tab, in the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Cookies button, then click the Delete Files button. This will delete all the files that are currently stored in your cache.

To clear your cache in Netscape:

1. Open the Tools menu and click Options.
2. Under the Privacy panel, click Cache.
3. Click Clear Cache.

Events That May Require a Filing Fee
You will receive the Electronic Payment window when docketing any pleadings that require payment of a fee. Pleadings that require a fee include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Voluntary and Involuntary petitions - all chapters

• Adversary proceedings (complaints and notices of removal)

• Counterclaims

• Motions for relief from stay and/or to compel abandonment

• Motions for Withdrawal of Reference

• Motions to Reopen Case

• Motions to Convert Case to 7 (fee)

• Notices of Voluntary Conversion from Chapter 12 or 13 to 7

• Notices of appeal and Notices of cross-appeal

For a complete list of all filing fees, please go to the court's website at http://www.vaeb.uscourts.gov/ and click Fee Schedule.

When the fee is not applicable, call the court immediately. (Refer to comments under Adversary Proceeding Fees not Applicable/Fees Exempt .)

Filing a New Bankruptcy Case
Once the process of opening a new case has been completed, the Electronic Payment window will display. You may select the "Pay Now" or "Continue Filing" option.

The "Pay Now" option allows you to make immediate payment of fee(s)

• Click Pay Now

• At "Card Type", select the type of credit card being used

• Enter the credit card number

• Enter the Expiration Date

• Click Continue with Plastic Card Payment

The next screen is "Payment Summary and Authorization."

• Check the box after the statement "I authorize a charge to my card account for the above amount in accordance with my card issuer agreement"(or the account will not be charged)

• Click Submit Payment

The final screen is a transaction receipt - click Close window

IMPORTANT: Do NOT double-click the "Submit Payment" button. Double clicking may result in duplicate charges to your credit card.

The "Continue Filing" option allows you to continue filing documents prior to payment or to exit the module.

• Click Continue Filing when filing multiple documents

To exit the Credit Card module, click Continue Filing

NOTE: DO NOT use the “back button” during the payment process.

Installment Payments
Case Upload is not compatible with payment of filing fees in installments. If you wish to file in installments you must use Open a Bk Case. When you select "installment" on the statistical screen, the system will offer the first installment amount appropriate to that chapter for payment over the Internet. Subsequent fees will be tracked via deadlines set by order. You must pay subsequent fees through the event Payment of Installment Fee, which is located under the Bankruptcy> Miscellaneous menu.

Additional Filing Fee for Bifurcation and/or Conversion
The following order will set forth an additional filing fee to bifurcation and/or conversion.

• Order Converting Case From Chapter 13 to Chapter 11

• Order Converting Case From Chapter 7 to Chapter 11

• Order Of Conversion of Joint Debtor From Chapter 7 to Chapter 13

• Order Upon Conversion of Joint Debtor From Chapter 13 to Chapter 7

• Order of Conversion of Joint Debtor From Chapter 11 to 7

• Order of Conversion of Joint Debtor From Chapter 11 to Chapter 7

In order to pay the fee indicated in the order, you must docket a payment event. In a bifurcated case, the fee is due in the new case.  The additional fee(s) for bifurcation and/or conversion must be docketed as two separate events. Proceed as follows to pay fees.

• Click on Bankruptcy

• Click on Miscellaneous

• Select appropriate payment event

• Payment of Bifurcation Filing Fee

• Payment of Conversion Filing

• Continue through payment screens following instructions above (under Filing a New Bankruptcy Case)

Making Credit Card Payment (not made at the time of filing)
Proceed as follows to submit credit card payment of filing fees not made at the time of filing:

Click Reports on the ECF menu bar

Click Credit Card Payments Due

From the Electronic Payment window, click Pay Now

Select the appropriate Card Type (Visa, MC, Discover, AMEX, or Diner's Club) from the drop-down menu

Enter the card number

Enter Expiration Date

Click Continue with Plastic Card Payment

The next screen is "Payment Summary and Authorization."

Check the box after the statement "I authorize a charge to my card account for the above amount in accordance with my card issuer agreement" (or the account will not be charged)

Click Submit Payment

A screen will display with the following message: “Your transaction is being processed. Please wait while your credit card is authorized."

Once the card has been authorized, a screen will display with the following message:

Click Close Window button

Verify the card type and number and try again

After three consecutive errors in data entry, the following message will display: “We are unable to complete your transaction. Please contact your local court for assistance."

DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT. We are unable to resolve this issue. Contact your credit card company directly.

Click Close Window

Continue filing or use a different credit card to make the payment

Click Reports/Credit Card Payments Due to make payment

Receipt Entry
When on-line payment of fees is made, the receipt entry is automatically docketed to the case(s). The entry will include the filing fee and receipt number.

Credit Card Payment History
The Credit Card Payment History Report allows you to review completed credit card payments over any specified period of time.

Click Reports on the ECF menu bar

Click Credit Card Payment History

Enter a date range in “From” “to” date range (defaults to a month prior to current date)

Click Run Report

The report will display

Reconciling Credit Card Payments (saving the report to Excel)

Ctrl+A to select all text in the Credit Card Payment History report

Ctrl+C to capture the text

Open Notepad. (Other word processing applications can not be used)

• Ctrl+V to paste the data into Notepad
• Delete the header information from Notepad
• Name and save the text document. Example: name.txt

Open Excel

• Click File on the menu bar and select Open
• Change the “Files of type” to “All Files” in the Open dialog box that displays
• Select the raw data text file and click Open
• Select “Delimited” in the Text Import Wizard and click Next
• In Step 2 of the wizard uncheck the Tab delimiter
• Click Finish
• The text displays in Excel and can be sorted as necessary.

Receiving Calls Regarding Internet Credit Card Payments

There have been instances where a filer has filed a case in CM/ECF, paid the payment by internet credit card, and received a message that there may be an error with the transaction and to contact the court. The payment is not reflected in CM/ECF on the Internet Payments Made Report; however, the payment is reflected on the Internet Payments Due Report (in error).

If you receive this error message, do not attempt to make another payment before contacting the court as you may make a duplicate payment that will not be reflected in CM/ECF.  The court will need to research the payment in Pay.gov to determine if the Payment was successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Why am I getting the following error message: “The credit card you have entered is invalid. Please check the card number and type and try again?”

Answer: An error may have been made when entering the credit card information. Enter the information again or use an alternate card.

Question 2: I've just filed a document and now realize that my card is over its limit. What do I do?

Answer: We suggest that a second credit card or a debit card be available in the event the main card fails. If a second card is not available, click Continue Filing to close the Electronic Payment window. Call a court contact in the appropriate division of the Clerk's Office for further direction if you are unable to pay on-line. See the Court Contact Information section above. If payment is not made before midnight on the day of filing, an e-mail will be generated to remind you that you have outstanding fees due and the consequences for non-payment of these fees, A"Notice to Cure Filing Fee Deficiency" will also be sent to you regarding fees that have not been paid. If payment is not made within the time limitation set forth by the "notice to CureFiling Fee Deficiency", the pleading will be struck or the petition will be dismissed. Further, if payment is not made before midnight on the fourth day after the filing, ECF will automatically lock your account and you will not be able to file documents via the internet. To unlock your account, go to Reports > Credit Card Payments Due and make the payment.

Question 3: I've logged into ECF but don't see any filing menu options. I can't file anything, HELP.

Answer: If you have outstanding fees that were not paid before midnight on the fourth day after the filing, ECF will automatically lock your account and you will not be able to file. Review "Credit Card Payments Due" under the Reports option to make certain you do not have outstanding fees. If you have fees outstanding, you must make payment before your account is restored. If your account was locked, and you have subsequently made payment, you will need to refresh your computer after you log in. See the section on Restoring ECF after Lockout. If there are no outstanding fees and you have tried refreshing without success, call a court contact in the appropriate division of the Clerk's Office for further direction. See the Court Contact Information section above.

Question 4: I've filed my document, I'm sure that a fee is due but I don't get the Electronic payment window? Why?

Answer: A pop-up blocker installed on your computer will prevent the module from displaying after filing. You should check to see if one is installed on your computer. If so, disable or uninstall it. You can then go into "Credit Card Payments Due" under "Reports" to make the payment.

Question 5: I've just filed a document on-line and was prompted to pay a fee. I don't believe I owe a fee for the filing. Should I ignore the prompt?

Answer: No, you should not ignore the prompt. If the payment module displays, the fee is applied to your account. Ignoring the prompt will cause your account to become locked if payment is not made before midnight on the fourth day after the filing for which the fee was incurred. Select “Continue Filing” and call the court immediately using the process outlined in the Adversary Proceeding Fees Not Applicable/Fees Exempt .

Question 6: I'm filing several new cases, one is an installment case, the others I want to pay at filing. Can I file all cases and select “Pay Now” at the end or am I required to file the installment case separately?

Answer: Yes, you can file all cases and select "Pay Now" at the end. You cannot use Case Upload to file an installment. If you wish to file by way of installments, you must use Open a BK Case and then follow the process outlined in the Installment Payments section of this manual.

Question 7: I have a blanket Credit Card Authorization form on file with the court. Will you use it to charge payment if payment is not made electronically?

Answer: No. Blanket credit card authorization forms will not be maintained by the court. Those currently on file with the court will be terminated. If you believe that you may have neglected to make a payment, check for outstanding fees using "Credit Card Payments Due" under the "Reports" option of ECF. If a fee is not due, you will be prompted “There are currently no outstanding CM/ECF credit card charges.”

Question 8: I've just filed an adversary and at the question, “Is the plaintiff the United States, Debtor, Child Support Creditor or its Representative”, I'm not sure what I should have answered?

Answer: If the plaintiff is the United States, Debtor, Child Support Creditor or its Representative, the answer is “y”, otherwise “n”. When answering “y” the Electronic Payment prompt will not display and you will not be assessed charges. If you have made an error the court will contact you. For detailed information on opening an adversary, refer to that section of the Users’ Guide located on the court's website at http://www.vaeb.uscourts.gov/ecfguides/ecfotm.htm.

Question 9: I made an internet credit card payment and I received a message that there may be an error and I need to contact the court.  Should I check to see if the payment is due in CM/ECF and make another payment?

Answer:  No.  When this error occurs, CM/ECF will not reflect that the payment was made and will still show that the payment is due (in error).  If you attempt to make another payment, you may actually make a duplicate payment.  Contact the court so that the court may check to see if your payment was successful in Pay.gov and the court will instruct you how to proceed.