Facts About Christian Giving









Question:
What are the benefits of giving online through DirectTithing.Com?

Answer:
  • Paying tithes electronically eliminates check writing, mailing, and insufficient fund fees
  • Provides an "on demand" statement of giving
  • 24-hour customer service
  • "Secure" account access with User ID and Password
  • The convenience of giving from anywhere, at any time!
  • A free e-mail address with Hallelooya.com

Question:
How can funds be withdrawn directly from my account?

Answer:
Only with your authorization. No one can deduct money from your account automatically unless you specifically authorize it.


Question:
Are electronic contributions risky?

Answer:
No. An electronic contribution is safer than writing a check, and it cannot be lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail. All Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) transactions are governed by strict national rules and guidelines. Over four billion EFT transactions are processed annually in the United States.


Question:
Why can't I give by credit card?

Answer:
We chose to take the time to set up online giving through electronic funds transfer rather than credit card for two primary reasons:
  • With electronic transfer, your entire gift goes to the church. When using a credit card, as much as 3 percent of your gift would go to the credit company.
  • Although many pay off their credit cards each month, many also do not. We did not want to potentially put someone in the position of going into debt and paying credit interest on gifts given to the church.

Question:
How can I keep a record of the amount I have contributed?

Answer:
Your bank statement will include an itemized list of automatic gifts given from your account. We will continue to provide you with a personal giving statement for your tax records.


Question:
Can I give to the building fund?

Answer:
Yes, designated giving is an option.


Question:
What if I change banks or accounts or want to change the amount of my contribution?

Answer:
You can change your giving choices at any time by contacting DirectTithing.Com at 1-866-E-GIVING.


Question:
How do I participate in the weekly offering if my contribution is automatically deducted from my bank account?

Answer:
If you wish, you can write “I’m giving online” on the giving envelope and place it in the offering basket, but it is not necessary, or you can print a receipt online.


Question:
Is there any charge to me from my bank to give online?

Answer:
No, not from your bank. DirectTithing.Com has a $5.50 convenience fee, which is collected monthly. This fee allows the user to conduct up to ten (10) giving transactions per month.


Question:
How many people use Online or Direct Payments?

Answer:
A growing number of people are discovering the benefits of Online or Direct Payments. According to a recent poll, 36 percent of consumers say they use Online or Direct Payments for at least one recurring payment. The top uses for Online or Direct Payments are insurance, regular investment or savings, and utility and mortgage payments. Eighty-four percent of Online or Direct Payments users say they are very satisfied with it.


Question:
How will I know when my payment has been taken out of my account or the amount that was deducted if I use online giving through DirectTithing.Com?

Answer:
Your funds will be taken out of your account on the payment due date that you specify on your enrollment application. If the date falls on a Federal holiday, the money will be deducted on the next business day. If the amount of the customer's payment varies each month, Federal Regulation requires the company to send you a statement. Deductions also will appear on your monthly bank statements.


Question:
How can I reconcile any problems that I have with online giving through DirectTithing.Com?

Answer:
Contact DirectTithing.Com immediately at 1-866-E-GIVING. Any problem can usually be handled quickly. If the matter is not handled to your satisfaction right away, call your financial institution and stop payment via online giving through DirectTithing.Com until the problem can be corrected. Under Federal Regulation (E), a consumer's financial institution is required to investigate any Direct Payment that the consumer believes to be in error, provided that the consumer has notified the bank in a timely fashion. Furthermore, if the financial institution is unable to complete its investigation within 10 days, it must provide the consumer with provisional credit for the amount in question pending resolution of the investigation.


Question:
What prevents a company from accessing my account whenever it wants to or seeing how much money I have in my account?

Answer:
As mentioned above, Regulation (E) prevents unauthorized debits from your account. It also prohibits a biller from taking money from your checking or savings account before the specified date. In addition, your financial institution protects your personal account information. You actually gain financial privacy with online giving through DirectTithing.Com because checks pass through so many more hands. Your checks also contain a great deal of information about you. With online giving through DirectTithing.Com, the transaction passes electronically from one institution to another.


Question:
Do I need a computer or Internet access to use online giving through DirectTithing.Com?

Answer:
No. Online giving through DirectTithing.Com is easy. Once you sign up, your bank automatically debits the amount from your account on the date you choose and credits the account of your church. You do not have to do anything once you set up online giving through the DirectTithing.Com system. The Internet is not involved at all.


Question:
What if I don't have enough money in my account when it is time for my account to be debited?

Answer:
You are obligated to have the money in your account for your online giving through DirectTithing.Com in the same way that you must have funds in your account if you write a check. If you do not have enough money in your account, your financial institution may charge you returned item fees.


Question:
Whom should I notify to cancel an online giving transaction through DirectTithing.Com?

Answer:
Notify your financial institution and DirectTithing.Com at 1-866-E-GIVING.