Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s WalMart.com has started accepting electronic checks for payment through Certegy Inc. It is one of the first online mass merchants to accept e-checks. Certegy will provide check warranty and processing services to WalMart.com. Certegy processes e-checks through the electronic clearing house network.

“We are delighted to have Walmart.com join Certegy’s list of premier retail and e-commerce customers. Certegy’s PayNet platform, designed specifically to manage consumer-not-present transactions, enables retailers to accept online and telephone order check payments from their customers at competitive rates,” said Jeff Carbiener, senior vice president and group executive, Certegy Check Services. “Electronic checks have become an important part of an online retailer’s strategy to close more sales.”

While the portion of online customers who pay by check is minuscule today, e-check advocates note that there is a significant body of consumers who prefer to pay by check, either because they are among the 40% of American adults who don’t have a credit card or because they are maxed out on their cards. Also, consumer research has shown that some consumers believe that online check payment is more secure than online credit card payment.