Electronic retail group offers e-check acceptance to members

The Electronic Retailing Association, which represents retailers who sell online, by interactive TV and by infomercials, will offer an electronic check acceptance product to its members through AmeriNet Inc. Under the agreement, the ERA and AmeriNet will launch a proprietary, ERA-dedicated electronic transaction system called Debit-it designed exclusively for ERA membership.

It will allow customers of ERA members to pay via a secure, on-line checking account debit transaction instead of with a credit card. The transaction will appear similar to a credit card transcation and will include a screening system to eliminate errors upfront, as well as fraud screen.

"We look forward to providing the association and its customers with a convenient and secure payment option without credit cards," said Pat Dane, executive vice president of sales and marketing at AmeriNet. "Electronic retailing is dependent on systems that allow for remote payment, payment verification and processing since 40% of consumers don`t have the ability to use credit cards, but do have access to checking accounts."