The sense that you are "on someone's list" is never a good one.
In fact, it can inspire feelings of discomfort, frustration, or even paranoia.
After all, who are THEY to place YOU on their list? There are all types of such lists out there.
If you have angered someone you know, work with, or even care about, you can be said to be "on their list.
" But, those situations usually come and go fairly quickly.
However, there are other, more serious lists you can be on that can be a much longer-term situation.
One such list is Chex Systems.
If you have asked yourself recently, "Am I on Chexsystems?," the best way to find out is to apply for a new checking account.
If your application is flatly rejected with no questions asked, you are most likely on Chex Systems.
What is Chex Systems? Chex Systems is a risk-assessment database that most banks use to evaluate new checking account applications.
When you apply for a new account at most banks, they will automatically look to see if your name shows up in this database.
If your name does show up there, end of story: you're not going to get granted an account at that bank.
This system was invented by a company called eFunds years ago.
It is designed to be a bank's best friend by helping them avoid doing business with bank customers whom they deem to be risks for doing business.
At the same time, Chex Systems is not a friend to people who are honest folks who may (or may not) have a glitch on their banking record but who just want to get going on a new account.
Why It Is So Hard to Get Removed from this List Unlike with having a mistake that affects your FICO (credit) score, with this banking risk database you cannot just write them a letter to protest your name showing up there.
There is no scoring system: it's just an "on/off" switch and your name is there or it's not.
Once your name is there, there is no chance of getting it removed by request or protest (unless you are the victim of identity theft, for example).
The Bright Side: You Can Find a Non-Chex Systems Bank There is a bright side, however: there are a handful of banks that offer second chance checking.
These banks will promise to never even check whether your name shows up in the database when evaluating you for a new account: they just avoid this step altogether.
So, if you suspect you are on Chex System's list, don't spend any of your valuable time trying to get taken off.
Instead, just go out and find a non-Chex Systems bank that offers second chance checking accounts.