Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Safeguard eChecks?
• When was the Safeguard eCheck introduced?
• Who can use a Safeguard eCheck?
• How does the Safeguard eCheck differ from other electronic payment services?
• What are the benefits of using eChecks?
• How is this service different from a bank service sending checks?
• Is Safeguard planning to stop printing and selling paper checks?
• What other companies sell eChecks?
• From start to finish, the Safeguard eChecks process is fast and easy. Here's how it works:
• How does the recipient deposit the check?
• How do I create a check?
• Is this a subscription service?

• What is the fraud prevention platform?
• Does any information on the eChecks' system live or stay "in the cloud"?

• I forgot to deselect a vendor when I opened the "Issue Checks" dialogue box, how do I find that check?
• I have a vendor who doesn't have an email address, but I want to issue all my checks using Safeguard eChecks. How do I do it?

• What platforms does the Safeguard eChecks Add-on for Quickbooks work on?
• Who can use the Add-on for Quickbooks?
• Where do I establish the eCheck delivery address?
• I have a Lockbox but not a Safeguard eCheck plan and want to use the Add-on for Quickbooks; how do I get it?
• Is the Add-on for Quickbooks available to users with just the free Lockbox?
• Do I have to have Quickbooks already installed to use the Add-on?
• Can I download and install the Add-on, on multiple computers?
• I don't see the Add-on in my Checking Account Settings dropdown.
• I have a Safeguard 100 or higher eCheck Plan but Add-ons for Quickbooks doesn't show in my account.
• How do I add email addresses in Quickbooks to issue my checks via Safeguard eChecks?
• I don't have email addresses for all my vendors, but I want to issue some checks via Safeguard eChecks and some by printing from Quickbooks.

What are Safeguard eChecks?

Safeguard eChecks is the first check-based service that allow businesses to create and send payments to anyone from anywhere via the Internet. They're fast, easy, cost-effective and secure. And they don't require additional software or investments in new technology for either the sender or the recipient. eChecks give businesses added flexibility and more control over their cash management — a smart complement to traditional paper checks!

When was the Safeguard eCheck introduced?

The eChecks platform was launched in 2012. With nearly 100 years in the check business, we are the trusted experts for millions of small businesses all over the world. Bottom line: Safeguard knows checks and we think this is a great payment solution for your business.

Who can use a Safeguard eCheck?

Safeguard eChecks are designed for any business or person with a checking account who wants to improve cash management by reducing costs and streamlining the processes associated with sending and receiving checks.

How does the Safeguard eCheck differ from other electronic payment services?

Safeguard eChecks enable electronic payment by check.

• Unlike ACH and direct deposit options, Safeguard eChecks don’t require a merchant account, specialized equipment, or payee banking information.
• Safeguard eChecks are less expensive than credit cards (which can include fees of up to 4 1/2 percent per transaction), and wire transfers (which generally costs $25 per transaction).
• Electronic payment options such as PayPal are conducted across privately-operated networks which require payees to join the network. They also typically charge an interchange fee. Safeguard eChecks are sent via the Internet. Compare to other online bill pay solutions.

What are the benefits of using eChecks?

While the trend is to use digital payments, businesses continue to issue 13.1 billion paper checks each year because they provide critical capabilities not normally available with electronic payment systems. With Safeguard eChecks, these capabilities are finally available:

• Send a payment with attached remittance information
• Provide payment without the banking information of the payee
• Issue payments to parties without bank accounts
• Separation of duties: one person can create the checks and another can approve them
• Increased security and fraud prevention

How is this service different from a bank service sending checks?

There are several valuable differences:

• Safeguard eChecks provide remittance information, and bank issued checks do not.
• Safeguard eChecks only require an email address and no payee account information.
• You are in control of sending the check.
• There may be additional processing time and/or rush fees associated with using a bank service.

Is Safeguard planning to stop printing and selling paper checks?

Not at all. Safeguard eChecks will be sold along with paper checks, offering our customers the widest array of check options possible. This is the next step in Safeguard’s long history of bringing innovative new check products to market (One-Writes, Manual Checks, Continuous, Laser, High-Security and now Electronic Checks). This addition to the Safeguard suite of check products allows our customers to choose the solution that best suits their business needs. We anticipate that many customers will end up purchasing both electronic and paper checks.

What other companies sell eChecks?

Currently there is no other product like the Safeguard eChecks. Other products that refer to themselves as “eChecks” typically are not – instead they are usually one-time ACH/EFTr. Safeguard eChecks, on the other hand, allow you to send any number of checks quickly and seamlessly through the Internet anytime you want without having to make a special request or pay additional fees. Compare to other online bill pay solutions.

From start to finish, the Safeguard eChecks process is fast and easy. Here’s how it works:

• Registered customers login to their Safeguard eChecks account and select the Checking Accounts tab. From there they can select Single Check, Check Run or Check Import functions.
• When creating a Single Check or Check Run, the customer simply fills out the open fields of the check (just as with traditional paper checks).

• - Payee Name
• - Amount
• - Memo

• To send the check, the users adds an email address and then selects Create and Sign.
• The Safeguard eChecks customer is then brought to the Check Review screen to confirm the check is made out appropriately before sending. Once the check is sent, the customer receives a message that the check has been sent.
• The Checks are delivered to the recipient with instructions on how to print, cut at the line, endorse and deposit.

How does the recipient deposit the check?

Safeguard eChecks arrive via email with a special code so that the recipient can retrieve the check. The recipient simply prints the check and deposits it in the same way they deposit traditional checks. If recipients are also users of the service and bank with a participating financial institution, they can deposit the check directly into their account.

How do I create a check?

Once you have opened your Safeguard eChecks account:

1. Select “Checking Accounts” then pick the applicable Checking Account from the dropdown. Use the Single Check tab for sending individual payments or use the check Run tab to send multiple checks.
2. You can then fill out the check. Add an email address and select the “Create and Sign” button … an email notification will be sent to the check recipient(s).

Is this a subscription service?

No, customers purchase a specific number of checks, similar to the method used for traditional checks.

What is the fraud prevention platform?

Safeguard's proprietary approach based on patented technology allows companies and banks to help reduce fraud by easily verifying the authenticity of checks. Customers and financial institutions using Safeguard's Check Validation service can confirm at any time that an authorized Safeguard eCheck was created by a user of the system and that the item remains unaltered since creation. This service can assist in catching and stopping fraudulent checks before they enter the banking ecosystem.

Does any information on the Safeguard eChecks system live or stay “in the cloud”?

The Safeguard eChecks software-as-a-service is deployed using best practices for high availability and security. Thus, for example, data that is “in the cloud” is in physically secured data centers that are regularly reviewed for compliance via SSAE 16 audits.

I forgot to deselect a vendor when I opened the "Issue Checks" dialogue box, how do I find that check?

Log in to your eChecks account, select the checking account tab and click the checking account name. From Account History, you will see checks that have been created, click on any one that doesn't have an email associated and you can either add an email and issue a PDF or you can print and deliver by another method.

I have a vendor who doesn't have an email address, but I want to issue all my checks using Safeguard eChecks. How do I do it?

Log in to your eChecks account and select the checking account tab and the checking account name. From Account History, you will see what checks have been created, click on any one that doesn't have an email and you can print and deliver traditionally.

What platforms does the Safeguard eChecks Add-on for Quickbooks work on?

Requirements for running the Add-on for Quickbooks are:

• Windows 8, all editions including 64-bit, natively installed (Quickbooks R4 and later required)
• Windows 7, all editions including 64-bit, natively installed
• Windows Vista (SP2 or later), all editions including 64-bit, natively installed
• Windows XP (SP3 or later), all editions including 64-bit

Who can use the Add-on for Quickbooks?

Anyone who has purchased sSafeguard eCheck and has a version of Quickbooks that meets the system requirements.

Where do I establish the eCheck delivery address?

The payment notification email address is established in Quickbooks using the Main Email field in the Vendor/Payee account profile.

I have a Virtual Lockbox but not a Safeguard eCheck plan and want to use the Add-on for Quickbooks; how do I get it?

Log in to your Safeguard eCheck account and select the Checking Account tab, then Settings > Upgrade. Upgrade to a Safeguard 100 or higher eCheck Plan and you can then get access to the Add-on for Quickbooks.

Is the Add-on for Quickbooks available to users with just the free Virtual Lockbox?

No. The Add-on is only available if you purchase Safeguard eChecks.

Do I have to have Quickbooks already installed to use the Add-on?

Yes, the Add-on for Quickbooks will not work if Quickbooks is not currently installed on your computer.

Can I download and install the Add-on on multiple computers?

Yes. Any computer where you install Quickbooks will also need to have the Add-on for Quickbooks downloaded.

I don't see the Add-on in my Checking Account Settings dropdown.

If you purchased Safeguard eChecks checks and don't see the Add-on for Quickbooks option, please notify Support@SafeguardeChecks.com with your email, your user name and a phone number. If you are a Virtual Lockbox user, upgrade to Safeguard 100 or higher eCheck Plan to get access to the Add-on.

I have a Safeguard 100 or higher eCheck Plan but Add-ons for Quickbooks doesn't show in my account.

Do you have more than one checking account registered with Safeguard eChecks? If you have multiple checking accounts registered, be sure to select the account with a Safeguard 100 or higher eCheck Plan from the Checking Account tab then select Settings dropdown, then Add-ons. If you only have one account and it is a Safeguard 100 Plan or higher and it’s not showing under the Checking Account Settings dropdown please notify Support@SafeguardeChecks.com with your email, your user name and a phone number.

How do I add email addresses in Quickbooks to issue my checks via Safeguard eChecks?

In Quickbooks, open the vendor list, select the vendor to "edit", and add the email to the MAIN email field (page/screen/account).

I don't have email addresses for all my vendors, but I want to issue some checks via Safeguard eChecks and some by printing from Quickbooks.

When you issue your payments, the Quickbooks Add-on will automatically deselect any vendors that don't have an email. Unless you manually select those items, they will be available to print from Quickbooks directly.

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