by Center for Personal Finance editors

If you write checks, you've probably experienced an electronic check conversion. Now you may notice new disclosure signs--both at checkout and on your statement--because of recent amendments to Regulation E, which governs these types of transactions.

Check conversion--the process of converting the payment you make by check into an electronic payment--isn't new. It's been in place for more than five years. It results in speeding up the transaction process as well as increasing the security of your payment.

What is new is an amendment to Regulation E that requires merchants to do certain things: They must inform you that an electronic transfer from your account will occur, and that the withdrawal may happen soon--perhaps that day. If your check is going to be converted electronically, the merchant must post a prominent and conspicuous notice at the point of sale and must provide a written copy of the notice at the time of the transaction--usually on your receipt.

For account receivable conversions--such as when you mail a check to pay your credit card or public utility bill--you'll see the new notice on your billing statement or invoice.

If you're going to be charged a nonsufficient funds (NSF) fee and it's collected electronically, the merchant must disclose the fee amount and get your authorization.

Watch for the new notices soon. Merchants who convert checks electronically must comply with the new rules by Jan. 1, 2007.

Published September 25, 2006