An electronic settlement system for settling a transaction through a
communication network comprises a settlement apparatus which performs the
settlement of the transaction; a billing terminal connecting to the
settlement apparatus via the communication network; and a paying
terminal, connecting to the settlement apparatus via the communication
network, wherein the settlement apparatus performs the settlement of a
transaction by synchronizing a communication to the billing terminal with
a communication to the paying terminal when the settlement apparatus sets
up a transaction identifying number which identifies the transaction and
when the paying terminal transmits the same transaction identifying
number to the settlement apparatus.