Authvia Text to Pay

The number of merchants that have connections to messaging platforms just as they have connections to payment processors is growing. Authvia owns US patents that cover message-based payments and conversational commerce over text. Its Txt2Pay technology can be used to present invoices, receive payments, capture digital signatures, collect data, deliver documents and more.

The Authvia payment authorization engine is available through a web-based portal, a salesforce.com application, APIs and other means.

Authvia is integrated with the largest messaging networks operating in the US and Canada, including Syniverse and Twilio, as well as with messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Snapchat and Messenger. The company also integrates with Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover through payment gateways and processors. Payments are initiated by card accounts held on file by businesses such as hospitals, call centers and utilities, as well as when stored on the Authvia platform.

Fiserv, the second largest US merchant acquirer, will offer Authvia technology to independent software vendors that use its CardPointe payment gateway. Elavon, the seventh largest US acquirer, became a customer of Authvia in September 2022. Soon to go live is payment gateway provider NMI.

Because cardholders use their own phone to authorize a transaction via text, Authvia’s technology essentially removes PCI DSS requirements from its clients and forwards them to the consumer. This boosts compliance and security.

All payments are handled using tokens, including those settled through the ACH. The company also offers a cloud-based Authvia wallet product consumers can use at any merchant.

Authvia is not an ISO or a payment facilitator (PayFac). Its virtual terminal for messages and payments is available to all ISOs, PayFacs and other companies.

Text to pay via messaging, which started out almost a decade ago in the utility bill industry, is expanding to other use cases deployed by small, midsized and enterprise businesses.

Authvia, which operates on Amazon Web Services, can deliver a text-to-pay message that also automates business processes such as capturing a consumer’s signature to secure an authorization. That signature capability can also be used in communications with consumers, even when a payment transaction is not involved.

The company’s customers can apply card surcharges and convenience fees as well as allow for split payments. Signatures can be stored in a vault and approved by consumers for recurring payments. When making tokenized ACH payments, consumers apply a PIN. Upcoming products include paying with points.

INTERVIEWED FOR THIS ARTICLE

Christopher Brunner is Chief Executive Officer at Authvia in El Segundo, California, chris@authvia.com, www.authvia.com.

Prior issues: 1224, 1212