Western Union and VeriSign test mobile car payments to CPS

Western Union, VeriSign and Consumer Portfolio Services (CPS) partnered to launch a pilot test of a payment system that allows CPS consumers to make their monthly car payments directly from their handsets. Within the three month trial CPS consumers will be able to initiate payments via text messages.

Pilot participants sign up for the Western Union bill alert text message service online or over their mobile phone. They provide their CPS account details, phone number and debit or credit card information.

Once a user is enrolled he/she will receive monthly alerts through VeriSign with the details about the payment amount to be paid. In order to approve the payment the customer sends a text message, initiating a Western Union transaction which is credited to their CPS account.