Leading Tax Services Company Embraces First Data for Total Point-of-Sale
Solution
DENVER, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With tax deadlines rapidly
approaching, First Data announces that H&R Block(R) is using the First Data's
TeleCheck Electronic Check Acceptance(R) (ECA(R)) service, Eclipse payment
terminals, and credit and debit processing services in more than 7,000 office
locations this tax season.
First Data's TeleCheck ECA service delivers funds directly to H&R Block's
account in about two business days, in a process similar to a signature-based
debit transaction. With the ECA service, H&R Block has access to industry-
leading fraud prevention tools and databases that help reduce the risks
associated with accepting paper checks. Transactions submitted under
TeleCheck's ECA procedures and settled by TeleCheck are guaranteed. H&R Block
associates are able to process all of its clients' payments, checks, credits
and debits, via the Eclipse all-in-one payment terminals.
"H&R Block is dedicated to providing the best one-on-one service to
clients as efficiently as possible," said Ken Hicks, director of electronic
payment operations for H&R Block. "With First Data's breadth of payment
processing services and the Eclipse terminals, our associates can safely
authorize and process checks, credit cards and debit cards via one easy-to-use
piece of equipment. This has made it easier for our clients to pay for our
tax services and products and help us accept more checks this tax season."
"H&R Block is a progressive company that is constantly looking for ways to
improve operational efficiency while maintaining the highest level of service
to its clients," said John Shlonsky, president of First Data's Merchant
Services business unit. "With the ECA service, H&R Block is able to marry
check writing with innovative card payment solutions to offer their clients
more payment choices this tax season. H&R Block chose to work with First Data
because of our unique ability to provide complete, integrated payment
solutions," stated Shlonsky.
About First Data
First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), with global headquarters in Denver, helps
power the global economy. As a leader in electronic commerce and payment
services, First Data serves approximately 3.5 million merchant locations,
1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, making it easy, fast and secure
for people and businesses to buy goods and services using virtually any form
of payment. With 30,000 employees worldwide, the company provides credit,
debit, smart card and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction
processing services; Internet commerce solutions; money transfer services;
money orders; and check processing and verification services throughout the
United States. First Data also offers a variety of payment services in the
United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the
Netherlands, the Middle East and Germany. Its Western Union and Orlandi
Valuta money transfer networks include approximately 182,000 Agent locations
in more than 195 countries and territories. For more information, please
visit the company's Web site at http://www.firstdata.com.
About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (http://www.hrblock.com) is a diversified company with
subsidiaries that deliver tax, financial, mortgage and business products and
services. It is the only major company with subsidiaries offering a full
range of software, online and in-office tax solutions, combined with
personalized financial advice about retirement savings, home ownership, and
other opportunities to help clients build a better financial future. As the
world's largest tax services company, H&R Block served nearly 21 million
clients in the U.S. and 11 countries in 2003. H&R Block Financial Advisors
Inc. offers investment services and securities products. With more than
1,000 financial advisors serving clients at more than 400 offices, H&R Block
Financial Advisors Inc. is a member NYSE, SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and
a registered investment advisor. H&R Block Inc. is not a registered
broker-dealer and is not a registered investment advisor. H&R Block Mortgage
Corp. offers a full range of retail mortgage products. Option One Mortgage
Corp. provides mortgage services and offers wholesale mortgage products
through large financial institutions and a network of 24,000 independent
mortgage brokers. RSM McGladrey Business Services Inc. and its subsidiaries
serve mid-sized businesses and their owners with tax, accounting and business
consulting services, as well as personal wealth management services.
FDC-1
SOURCE First Data
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Related links:
http://www.firstdata.com
CONTACT:
Jeff Fowler of First Data Media Relations,
+1-713-331-7359, jeff.fowler@firstdatacorp.com
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