Although the days of walking around with a checkbook in hand seems to increasingly be a retro look, there are still some of us that will require it to be pried from our hands.
With the growing popularity of the check card, this new generation of young adults almost have us all convinced that the paper check should be memorialized.
However, if you are middle age or older you probably know basic mathematics such as addition and subtraction, a skill that seems to be lost by this young generation due to not having to balance a checkbook.
Then again if you grew up on the checkbook as I have, you probably have made a couple of miscalculations over the years.
No one is perfect.
If this is the case, you may have been introduced to ChexSystems.
This reality normally presents itself while at the checkout counter as the cashier is calling for the store manager to assist in interpreting a code that spells out rejection.
Not to mention the long line of people at your back who have witnessed the whole embarrassing event.
When your check is returned to you, you generally will be given a number to call in order to rectify the situation.
The number will likely belong to ChexSystems.
ChexSystems is a credit reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and, as such, is subject to the rules and regulations of the FCRA.
Also noteworthy, the banks that are furnishing the data to ChexSystems are also governed by guidelines under FCRA furnisher rules.
What does all of this mean? It means that consumers can use FCRA guidelines in order to get these bad checks and other incorrect data removed from ChexSystems.
If you have ever disputed an item on your credit report then you have a good idea of how to remove and clear checks because the process is virtually the same.
Again, ChexSystems is nothing more than another credit bureau that reports on your check writing habits, or should I say, bad habits.
Therefore, when preparing your dispute letter for ChexSystems you will want to provide an accurate and factual letter and explanation of your complaint just as you would when disputing with any of the other big 3 bureaus.
Just like the big 3, ChexSystems would prefer that you use their online dispute form or form letter, however, there is no law that says that you must do so.
It is important to remember, just like disputing errors on your credit report with the big 3, you will want to create and keep a paper trail.
This is very important.
If you use their online form, it will be impossible to keep copies of all correspondence.
Once you have submitted your dispute, ChexSystems is required to then correspond with the furnisher which in many cases is a bank, in order to rectify the issue.
If they do not, or there is a delay, then under the FCRA, the item showing up in Chex must be removed within the allotted 30 day timeframe.
Once you have sent in your dispute to ChexSystems, you will just play the waiting game.
If the item comes back as verified, your next step will be to follow up with asking for a Method Of Verification Request as permitted by the FCRA.
If you are still unsuccessful in getting the item removed, there are several other lines of attack you will want to employ.
At this point you will file complaints with The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
You can also contact the bank or furnisher directly and ask them to remove the item.
You will want to provide any supporting documentation validating your claim, in addition to docs proving the steps you have taken up to this point.
If an item on your ChexSystem report has been paid, you have a right to have it reporting as such under the FCRA.
Don't stop until you get what is rightfully yours - accurate reporting.