An Otter Tail Company

Ready Check questions

Frequently asked by customers

Can I select the payment date of my bill?
You can choose the payment date that best fits your budget as long as it's within 25 days of your billing date. Your bank will deduct the amount of your bill from your checking account on the date you select or on the following day if your payment date falls on a weekend or a holiday.
Back to the top

If I enroll in Ready Check, will I still get a bill from Otter Tail Power Company?
Yes. In fact, your bill will include the upcoming date and amount of the automatic Ready Check transfer so you'll know exactly how much will be deducted from your bank account and when. You'll have plenty of time to review the bill and call us with any questions before the payment occurs.
Back to the top

Do I pay any service charge to be on Ready Check?
No. Ready Check is a free service.
Back to the top

Does Ready Check work with Even Monthly Payment?
Yes. With EMP, we average your electric payments for the last 12 months to determine the amount you pay each month for the next year. When you combine Ready Check with Even Monthly Payment, you'll know the amount the bank will deduct from your checking or savings account each month without waiting to receive your bill. Go here to learn more about Even Monthly Payment.
Back to the top

How do I sign up for Ready Check?
If you want to enroll, fill out the Ready Check enrollment form, which authorizes your bank or credit union to automatically deduct the amount of your Otter Tail Power Company electric service bill from your checking account each month. Include the form with your next payment and include a voided check. We'll take care of the rest.
Back to the top

After I sign up, how soon will my Ready Check payments begin?
We will sign you up as soon as we receive the signed authorization form and your voided check. Your payments will begin with either the first or second Otter Tail Power Company bill you receive after you sign up for the plan. You'll know your next payment will be made automatically when you see the words "Ready Check amount" on the stub portion of your bill.
Back to the top

How will I know my bill has been paid?
Your bank statement will indicate your Ready Check deduction as "Otter Tail Power Company Ready Check." And your monthly Otter Tail Power Company bill each will show your previous balance and the payment made through the Ready Check program.
Back to the top

What happens if my bank account doesn't have enough money to cover the payment?
Just as if you were paying by check, we'll charge a return-check fee if your bank account has insufficient funds to cover your bill amount. The fee is $15 in Minnesota, $5 in North Dakota, and $10 in South Dakota.
Back to the top

What do I need to do if I change financial institutions?
If you change banks, you'll need to fill out a new agreement and send it along with a new voided check. We'll take care of the transfer for you. Depending on the timing of this change, your account may not transfer on the next bill you receive. Therefore, you may need to send a check payment for one bill.
Back to the top

What happens if I move?
If you move to another address served by Otter Tail Power Company but do not change financial institutions, we'll simply transfer the information required to your new account. If you change banks, we'll need you to fill out the enrollment form again with the new information and return it along with a voided check from your account.
Back to the top

How does Ready Check compare with ePay?
ePay offers online bill management and payment with access to billing and payment records available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on the Internet or by telephone at 800-729-7427. It's a convenient payment solution for customers that prefer to manage their accounts online. With ePay you can manage one or several accounts with a single login ID and password, or by telephone. And you can choose automatic payments or schedule your payment each month. Go here to learn more about ePay.
Back to the top

Can I buy Otter Tail Corporation stock through Ready Check?
Yes. Contact your local customer service center or email Shareholder Services or call 800-664-1259 to request an enrollment form for the customer stock purchase plan.
Back to the top