Back-to-school Shopping - Interac(R) Online Offers Tips to Save Time and
Money

TORONTO, Aug. 16 /CNW/ - Back-to-school shopping can not only be time-consuming, it can be one of the biggest expenditures of the year for many families.

Shopping online can help save time and money. From school supplies to clothing to computers and electronics, Interac Online is available at a wider variety of retailers than ever before this back-to-school shopping season, including national retailers such as Roots.com, Chapters.Indigo.ca, TheSource.ca, and HMVdigital.ca.

For those trying to navigate their way through the back-to-school shopping frenzy, following are a few online shopping tips to help make back-to-school shopping easier on themselves and their wallets.

1. Look for Deals
Look into whether your favourite retailers offer email alerts or newsletters about upcoming specials to keep you informed of good deals. Many retailers also have Twitter accounts and Facebook pages that are great resources for online deals.

2. Stick to your Budget
Take inventory of supplies remaining from last year, set a budget and then make a list of only the items you need in order to avoid overspending. Paying with Interac services is a great way to stay on budget because you're paying with your own money.

3. Get it Right the First Time
Reduce the need for returns by checking if the merchant has a sizing guide. A sizing guide provides the various measurements to help you understand how the different fits compare, helping you choose the best option off the bat.

4. Shop Throughout the Year
Sale items and bargains can often be found in the "off-season", so continue back-to-school shopping throughout the year and pack it away until next year.

5. Leverage Online Services to Save Time
The back-to-school season is often a busy period, so free up some valuable time by taking advantage of online services, while paying directly from your bank account. For example, some colleges/universities accept Interac Online for tuition payments, which can save you a trip to the registrar's office.

6. Shop Securely
Keep your card data secure. With Interac Online, your personal financial information remains secure because the payment service is integrated with online banking. When you're ready to check out, you are re-directed to your financial institution's trusted online banking website to make the payment from your existing bank account.

How Interac Online Works
The Interac Online service is secure, convenient and easy-to-use because it works with the consumer's existing web banking service. Consumers who are registered for web banking services with a participating financial institution can use the Interac Online service in just a few easy steps:

• When checking out on a merchant's e-commerce website, select the Interac Online payment option
• Select your financial institution;
• Log onto your trusted web banking site using existing login ID and password;
• Select your account to process payment;
• Confirm the payment (you are logged out of online banking and automatically redirected back to merchant's website);
• Print confirmation page for future reference and proof of purchase.

Interac Online is currently available to customers of BMO Bank of Montreal, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank, and TD Canada Trust. More information about Interac Online and a complete list of merchants can be found at www.interaconline.com.

About Acxsys Corporation
Acxsys Corporation, comprised of eight large financial institutions as shareholders, is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The Corporation's shareholders are the architects of the Interac network, Canada's national debit network. Acxsys specializes in the development and operation of new payment service opportunities, as well as consulting and management services in the field of electronic payments. Acxsys Corporation businesses include the operation of the Interac Email Money Transfer service, the Interac Online service, and Cross Border Debit. For more information, please visit www.interac.ca.

® Interac and the Interac logo are trade-marks of Interac Inc. used under licence.

For further information:

Tina Romano, Acxsys Corporation/Interac Association
416-869-5062 or [e-mail]

 Or

Laura Noel Garcia, Hill & Knowlton
416-413-4759 or [e-mail]