BVIEC to introduce payment kiosks soon
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) will soon be launching payment kiosks to provide customers with a more convenient way to manage their bills.
According to BVIEC General Manager Neil Smith, the kiosks will be stationed at secure and accessible locations to reduce wait times and improve service for residents across the territory. Speaking on JTV, Smith highlighted the recent challenges BVIEC faced, including a cyberattack that disrupted operations for several months.
Despite the setback, he confirmed the online payment system is back and improved with enhanced security measures to reassure customers.
“Our online system has been restored, and we’ve put in additional safeguards to protect customer information,” Smith assured. The incident, which involved ransomware affecting more than 50% of BVIEC’s systems, also led to the power company working with the National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom to investigate the breach.
In addition to securing the online platform, Smith outlined plans for BVIEC’s future developments, including introducing alternative payment methods.
“We’re looking to introduce kiosks at strategic locations… especially on the outer islands,” Smith said. “Our aim is to make BVIEC services as seamless as possible. We believe that happy customers pay better,” Smith said while noting that interactions with BVIEC should be as hassle-free as turning on a light switch.
These upcoming kiosks, expected to roll out by mid-next year, are designed to ensure accessibility for all users, including those unfamiliar with online transactions. Another feature under development includes the option for customers to manage multiple accounts and set up automatic payments.
The cyberattack has propelled BVIEC to implement more robust security measures across all systems. “We know that the players in this have done it before. We’ve identified what a ransomware was and it has occurred before. So we now have a footprint that will actually be used to enhance detection methods in the future,” Smith said.
Smith expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and support through the recovery period. “So we’d just like to… thank the public for their patience and [say] that they could expect that going forward things will get better,” Smith added.
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BVIEC should separate their customers into 2 groups: single account and multiple account customers. Some grocery stores already do this with a cashier for less than 10 items. The payment kiosk should only accommodate single account customers. Multiple account customers who pay in person must go to the main office on each island to pay for more than 1 account.
How about restoring direct debit payments?
Dr Smith, why don’t you ensure customets are being billed correctly? Why has the binvoices doubled or risen so significantly? We usually pay online, however when your system went down we came to the office and paid. How’s it that the bill was about $50.00 and now i got two outstanding bills showing amounts of over $150.00 each? The last bill i paid in full showed zero balance and that was only 2 weeks ago. Can you please explain why we are now forced to pay such exorbitant invoices when we haven’t done anything differently in the usage and did pay in a timely manner at your office? If BVIEC was unable to bill, how’s it that you provided these new invoices? Where did you guys get these figures from? We have never paid so much for electricity? Perhaps, its time we go back to Laterns and candles. Btw, my home consists of 2 persons, my husband and myself and we aren’t doing anything differently. So why are you?