Intell-A-Check's Guaranteed Check Writing Software Enables Consumers to Buy Rare Gem Stones Using Their Checking Accounts.

Business Editors & High-Tech/Retail Writers

BELLEVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2001

Intell-A-Check Gives The Gem Shopping Network A Seamless

ACH Payment Solution

Intell-A-Check Corp., a leader in electronic payment solutions, today announced that the Gem Shopping Network (GSN) is utilizing Intell-A-Check's electronic check writing application in its call center environment -- giving GSN viewers the opportunity to buy rare gemstones and related items using their checking account.

"In addition to offering a new payment option to include check-based payments for GSN customers, we also needed a more effective method of ensuring receipt of their payment," said Laura McFarling, credit manager for the GSN. "Before implementing Intell-A-Check's solution, GSN was experiencing an overall cancellation rate of 15 percent, due to never receiving a check or money order from the customer and waiting to receive a customer's payment by mail could take up to 15 days. Now, we can immediately process and ship orders by directly debiting the customer's account -- reducing the amount of time that customers have to wait to receive their order."

With this alternative solution, shoppers simply contact GSN's call center and place their orders with call center operators, who are located with the host in the showroom. Operators enter the required information into Intell-A-Check's interface and can clarify customer questions by speaking directly with the show host. Through Intell-A-Check's strategic relationship with Equifax Check Solutions, the global leader in check authorization and approval services to businesses, GSN is able to determine within seconds whether a customer is approved for purchase.

"Merchants are realizing that a key way of increasing levels of customer satisfaction and encouraging repeated purchases is to offer a variety of payment options," said Joe Grueter, partner, Intell-A-Check. "With Intell-A-Check's solution, consumers and merchants are able to eliminate the costly additional fees involved with accepting and processing credit card payments."

At the close of each business day, all transactions handled by GSN are compiled in a database repository known as ICheck located in Intell-A-Check's data center. The transactions are then sent to Mellon Bank, a unit of Mellon Financial Corporation, for payment and settlement. Funds from previous night's transactions are available the next business day in GSN's account. Additionally, through its relationship with Intell-A-Check, Mellon provides the GSN with access to its premier Automated Clearing House (ACH) processing services. By eliminating a reliance on paper checks, Mellon's ACH services translate into faster settlements and fewer returns.

"The combination of Equifax's check risk management with Intell-A-Check's applications enables us to provide customers like Gem Shopping Network with a complete Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment solution," said Michele Malconian, vice president of product development for Equifax PayNet Secure.

"Through Equifax's relationship with Intell-A-Check, merchants in call center, Internet and brick & mortar environments receive full payment support including near-real-time customer purchase verification and a guaranteed payment."

About Gem Shopping Network

Gem Shopping Network (GSN) is America's first television shopping network dedicated to exploring the sciences of gem stones, jewelry, minerals, fossils, vintage time-pieces, art, coins and other currency and other fields. Frank Circelli, a graduate gemologist, began selling "world class" gemstones and independently created the business in 1997. With present annual sales revenues approaching $11 million, GSN expects continued growth due to its new relations with the Dish Network. As of mid-October, the GSN has aired primarily through the Dish Network, on Channel GSN 217, in addition to other cable stations through out the United States. For air times or product information, call 888/791-8805 or 770/622-5505.

About Equifax

Equifax (www.equifax.com), a worldwide leader in enabling and securing global commerce, brings buyers and sellers together through its information management, transaction processing, direct marketing and customer relationship management businesses. Atlanta-based Equifax (NYSE:EFX) serves the financial services, retail, credit card, transportation, telecommunications/utilities, information technology and healthcare industries and government. Equifax adds knowledge, expertise, convenience and security to provide value-added solutions and processes for its customers wherever they do business, including the Internet and other networks. Equifax employs about 12,000 associates in 17 countries with sales in almost 50 and has $2 billion in revenue.

About Mellon Financial Corporation

Mellon Financial Corporation is a global financial services company. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Mellon is one of the world's leading providers of asset management, trust, custody and benefits consulting services and offers a comprehensive array of banking services for individuals and corporations. Mellon has $2.8 trillion in assets under management, administration or custody, including $530 billion under management. Its asset management companies include The Dreyfus Corporation and Newton Management Limited (U.K.). Press releases and other information about Mellon and its products and services are available at http://www.mellon.com on the Internet. For Mellon press releases by fax, call 800/758-5804, identification number 552187.

About Intell-A-Check Corp.

Founded in 1993, Belleville, N.J.-based Intell-A-Check Corp. provides electronic payment solutions to Fortune 1000 organizations in the financial services, telecommunications, utilities and retail (mail-order/ telephone-order) industries. Its flagship product, Intell-A-Check!(TM), enables companies to accept check-based payments over the phone, via the Internet, or through a VRU (voice response unit). The Intell-A-Check! Service Bureau offers database hosting, real-time check authorization and ACH settlement services. The company is a Microsoft Commerce Partner, an Avaya CRM Solutions Alliance Network Member and an Affiliate Member of the National Automated Clearing House Association. For additional information, contact Intell-A-Check Corp. at 800/946-8355, or via the Web at http://www.icheck.com.