This page contains the most frequently asked questions about our service. Those questions and their answers are provided here and grouped by the topics shown above and updated on a regular basis. Click any of those topic links to move to that section.
GETTING STARTED
How do I register for the transmodus service?
On the menu of the home page you will see a tab entitled REGISTER. You click that and complete the online form. That takes 3-5 minutes. You can also click here to go there now.
How do I activate my service?
Once you complete the online registration form you will immediately be sent a system-generated email that contains a welcome message and a link that leads to our account activation site. Click on that link and you will be prompted to enter the password and customer ID you determined for yourself during the registration process. Enter you password and customer ID and your transmodus site will open ready for use.
What if I need help?
Our customer service staff is very helpful and can provide assistance at any stage of the process of initiating your service. Our help desk is available from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. Feel free to contact us toll free at 866-587-8249.
Are there different service options?
Yes. You have the choice to use any or all of our services that include remote deposit, verification, automated data entry and transport, electronic recovery and secondary collections. All of these services can be delivered in a do-it-yourself or completely automated format.
Is there a charge for any of the services?
Fees paid by the client apply to remote deposit and verification. There is no charge for electronic recovery or secondary collections. The check writer pays for the service fees for both of those services.
What about optional services?
There is a fee for verification that will vary based on your volume of
use. Other fees and charges apply to the set-up and maintainance of any optional services that include check consolidation, batch ACH verification or payment presentment.
MAKING REMOTE DEPOSITS
How do I get set up to use Remote Deposit?
We are the exclusive technology provider of Express Funds for Heartland Payment Systems. If you are an existing client it is simple to add remote deposit to your online service menu, if you are a new client remote deposit can be included to your online services menu.
How do I learn more about this service?
Here is a brochure with contact information (brochure)
RETURNED CHECK PROCESSING
What if I never want to touch a returned check again?
You don´ t have to, we offer total automation for businesses of all sizes regardless of volume.
What are all the options for initiating the processing of my returned checks or ACH transactions?
For returned checks there are five options that include: do-it-yourself, have your bank forward them to us, consolidated returns, Bank Initiated Returned Check Processing, and Transport Initiated Returned Check Processing.
So, I do have the option to enter and control my own checks?
Yes. You can do this manually through our web interface for low volume requirements or for a high volume of transactions by installing a piece of equipment in your office called a transport that can send up to 80 checks per minute directly into our systems for immediate processing. As an online provider, we have found that some of our clients like to keep 100% control of the process. We made self-entry a simple and fast process for clients with a low volume of returned checks.
What is considered "low volume"?
Less than 50 returned checks per month. The manual entry of checks takes about 30 seconds per item, so thats less than 30 minutes per month to process that level of returns for payment.
Can the site process my secondary collections?
Yes. When you register you have the option to include secondary collections service and functionality. Adding this option assures that all of your returned checks and ACH transactions will be processed in the most efficient timely manner available.
So this service works with returned check consolidation?
Not only can the service work with consolidation, but also our systems minimize or even eliminate any data entry to process transactions.
Can this service work with a lockbox?
Yes. Our clients using a lockbox can expect to pick up days in the process to optimize cash flow. Also, transmodus can automate the processing of ARC returns.
REPORTING
What type of reporting is available?
Secure login provides the transmodus client with real-time reports that track each transaction as they move through the deposit, recovery and collections process.
How do I find out the change of status of a check or checks that are in the returned check recovery process?
It takes about 3-10 days from the time you entered before we will get the results back from the banking network. Any time there is a change to something on your website, you will receive an email from us. You will then log into your site and run the All Items report to find out the status of the checks entered.
What if I want to pull a report to see the transaction details for a customer that calls my office?
There is a Find Check feature that lets you pull that report in seconds. You´ ll access that transaction and any others for that person. That report screen will also offer you point and click tools to cancel or even refund a payment if warranted.
Is there a back-up record for verifications through Online Verify and chexmessaging?
Yes. The details of each verification transaction are logged and can be downloaded and used for compliance with your check acceptance policies.
So for retail clients do you offer negative file reporting?
Yes, we support all popular formats and there is no charge to our client for verification. We offer this reporting in real-time or in a batch file.
PAYMENT
How often are deposits for recovered or collected returned checks made to my bank account?
Payments are made weekly.
How long does it take to get paid on a collected check?
Normally payment is electronically deposited into the business owner´ s account within 7 to 10 days of collection.
How much do I get paid for any collected checks?
Payments vary based on a variety of factors, but in general, we pay 100% of the face value of the check and in some cases a portion of any collected state fee.
How can I see my payments?
Your transmodus site offers detailed reporting. These are available 24/7 by secure login. You can view them online or download them. If you are not a computer user we can also provide your reports by fax.
How do I reconcile my bank statement with the payments of returnd checks made by transmodus to our account?
We suggest that you run a report weekly, Wednesday to Wednesday, and you will get your weekly payout. You can then take this information & match it to your bank statement. You can also download any report into a spreadsheet.
VERIFICATION
What is required to use the chexmessaging mobile check verification service?
The path of verification starts by looking at data in our local check writer database. If nothing is found for the route/account pair, it proceeds to a series of national check writer history databases, and finally through the ATM network to verify the funds and open or closed status of that account.
What data can I access using Online Verify and chexmessaging?
The path of verification starts by looking at data in our local check writer database.
If nothing is found for the route/account pair, it proceeds to a series of national check writer history databases, and finally through the ATM network to verify the funds and open or closed status of that account.
What if I need to do batch verification of check or ACH transactions?
No problem. We offer a batch verification tool that processes and returns a file to weed out transactions that should not be presented at that time.
I noticed you offer verification through Web Services, what does that mean?
Web Services enables us to extend the functionality and features of our verification technology to your websites or web-enabled devices such as POS systems. So, our clients can perform verification in real-time from their own systems without logging into ours.
What is involved in getting Web Services set up?
We have a technical guide that we provide to the IT staff of our client and then we work with them to confirm proper functionality. It is a simple process and provides easy access to the protection of real-time verification.
TECHNOLOGY
What is the range of process technology available through transmodus?
Our clients can be set up so that all they are required to do is make the deposit using Express Funds and the rest of the process is automated with easy access reporting 24/7. The entire check process is automated by transmodus systems.
What do you mean by the term "on-demand"?
Generally it describes a technology solution that you can use directly 24/7 to complete a defined task. Your cell phone is a great example, you can use it to make calls, view and send email or text messages. It provides communication on-demand. Our website has been providing on-demand solutions for returned check processing since 2002.
What advantage does "on-demand" give me as a client?
There are many, but as an example lets say that you own twelve (or 1,200) retail locations. Your company is renowned for its customer service. A long-time customer bounces their first check ever and thanks to online banking knows about it before you do. Horrified, that customer runs into one of your locations and finds the manager and makes good on the check. What would that manager do? With transmodus he or she could casually walk over to a computer and login to access the returned check interface for that location, type in the customer name to access the record of that returned check and click "cancel". At that point, the transaction is cancelled with an audit record of the time, date and ID of that manager. Oh, and you have a happy, greatly relieved long-time customer.
Does transmodus support Web services?
Yes. As an example, a company that has its own online business solution at their locations, but has not incorporated real-time check verification, can now add that functionality to their own user interface via transmodus web services.
What is the difference between this online format and a service where checks can be forwarded to for processing?
The main difference and key advantage for our automation clients is the speed of getting checks into the recovery process. No time is lost in the mailing process. We import the data and Images direct from the bank that consolidates the returns. Our functionally rich platform is capable of processing thousands of rule-based transactions per second.
COMPLIANCE
Does the transmodus transaction-processing platform comply with the applicable laws and operating rules that govern the process?
Yes. During system development, our design team works closely with a qualified legal team and consulted with experts in the field.
What notice needs to be given to customers who pay with a personal check?
There is a register sticker for in-store sales and receipt that provides authorization for electronic payment of state allowed fees.
Is that what the book of receipts that I received in the starter kit is for?
Yes. These are for the check writer authorization to debit the state fee from their bank account.
Is there an alternative way to collect the state fee?
Yes. If the use of the receipts is not practical, we offer alternatives. One method is called "drafting". Using this option you only need to post a notice at the point of the sale and the transmodus system creates and manages the proper processing of a paper draft that is deposited against the check writer account. Another alternative is to get your customers to sign a one-time authorization. This method is used primarily by businesses with repeat or subscribed customers.
What type of checks can be entered into transmodus for collection?
The site can process all returned checks that are less than two years old and not two-party checks, with in-process reporting of all checks for ACH and secondary collections.
GENERAL
What is the collection rate?
Our rate of collection is consistent with the highest indices for electronic collections because transmodus implements a high caliber of collection tools throughout the process. As an example, online funds verification is included in your transmodus service.
What industries are best served by the transmodus service?
Although transmodus can be used by any business looking to effectively process a returned check for payment, we have established system expertise in the retail, utilities and foodservice industries.
I forgot my password - how can I retrieve that information without having to make a phone call?
On the transmodus Home Page there is a link (Forgot Password?) that will ask you for your login and your challenge phrase to obtain your password.
What about a centralized business versus a decentralized business?
Our automation applies well to both models. Our workflow access to data is powerful for the decentralized model. Both models realize improved processing speed with 24/7 access to intervene in any transaction to provide the best customer service at the incident level.
Can transmodus be a single source solution?
Yes. We can actually improve the single source approach through the option of Web services that make our platform functionality available and transparent by letting our clients access our best of breed solutions through their own Web interface.
