Many residents have been asking for a way to pay their annual Civic Association dues online instead of writing checks and we have delivered. You can now securely pay your annual dues by using the form provided on this page using a credit card or direct debit bank transfer. The form captures information that we keep to maintain our CAHHH membership, including your email address that we use to periodically send out informational email blasts. We do not store any financial information. See more about the security of the online payment system below.
You still have the option to pay more than the $10, which some members have graciously done in the past. Extra donations are very much appreciated.
You also have the option to offset the transaction fee if you so desire, providing us with additional funds for the activities that we support. For a $10 donation, the credit card transaction fee is currently 84¢, which is a few pennies more than price of a 78¢ stamp.
Of course, we will gladly take paper checks if that is your preference. But please be aware of the increasing risks of mailing checks (see below).
For your convenience, a form is available to download (click here). Please include it with your check, made payable to CAHHH. However, the form isn't required if you would rather just jot down your name(s), address, and email(s) and include it with your check. Please print clearly so we can accurately enter your information.
Please mail checks to:
CAHHH
P. O. Box 43
Riva, MD 21140-0043
Please note: We will not share your email address or phone number. Please do not turn the form in at the Lodge.
We are using a payment system called Donorbox, which works with Stripe to process payments.
Here's the nitty-gritty: Donorbox uses Stripe's secure token mechanism. Card numbers are tokenized (the number is changed to an indecipherable string) before they charge the card. Therefore, Donorbox doesn't keep any record of the donor's card number in their database and logs.
Donorbox is Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant under "PCI validation: SAQ A" and utilize Stripe Elements technology that has financial input fields which are done securely in Stripe's iframe. Stripe is certified as a PCI Level 1 Service Provider. This is the most stringent level of certification available in the payments industry.
The transmission between the donors, the Donorbox form, and Stripe is encrypted using 256bit SSL/TLS. Stripe is one of the most secure and trusted payment providers. It is used by X, Shopify, Kickstarter, Lyft, and others.
Mailing checks is becoming increasingly risky because checks can easily be stolen from mailboxes and altered. For example, check washing scams involve changing the payee names and often the dollar amounts on checks and fraudulently depositing them. Occasionally, these checks are stolen from mailboxes (even the blue post office boxes) and washed in chemicals to remove the ink. Some scammers will even use copiers or scanners to print fake copies of a check.
Ways to Protect Yourself
Limit your use of checks.
Rather than physical checks, utilize online payment platforms or online banking tools to send money.
If you use checks, be sure to write in black gel pens (i.e. Sharpie) as this ink is the hardest to remove by scammers.
Monitor your bank account and bank statements.
If any suspicious activity is detected immediately contact your bank to notify them.
Report any missing checks.
Stay informed on the most recent frauds and threats to your financial assets.
If you have any questions or concerns about check washing contact the United States Postal Inspection Service by calling 1-877-876-2455.