You can scroll down this page to access all of our free ChexSystems Removal Information & Resources, and be sure to bookmark this page or add it to your favorites so you can return again easily.
Real Checking Accounts with No Chexsystems Verification
- New Bank Account – our # 1 recommmended partner. They will provide a REAL checking account to ANYONE in Chexsystems.
How to Get Out of ChexSystems Quickly
ChexSystems is an association of financial institutions that network together in order to develop a database that maintains the records of mutually unwanted customers. To make sure that only financially responsible individuals open up checking accounts at member institutions, these banks report on customers who demonstrate poor financial management skills. When a customer’s checking account is closed due to demonstrated mismanagement, then he or she is reported to Chex Systems. Once done, the customer will have a very difficult time opening up an account at any other financial institution partnered with Chex Systems for the next five years.
You can contact Chexsystems at:
ChexSystems Consumer Relations
7805 Hudson Road
Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
Ph: (800) 428-9623, (800) 513-7125
*NOTICE* – We are not lawyers, and nothing contained here should be construed as legal advice! We can only offer our educated opinions. If you need legal advice, please contact a lawyer.
Step 1:
Go to the ChexSystems official website at ConsumerDebit.com and request a copy of your ChexSystems report. By law, they are required to send you a free copy.
Step 2:
After you receive it, make a copy of letter # 1 listed below, editing your own personal details where necessary. Place the letter into an envelope and go to the post office.
*IMPORTANT* – You must send the letter you copied below via CERTIFIED MAIL, with a return receipt requested. This will not only ensure its delivery, but you will have a documented time of when it was received. This is very important because ChexSystems is governed by the FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT as a consumer reporting agency. By law, they have to investigate and verify any disputed information within 30 days. If they fail to respond or verify your information, all disputed information MUST be removed. Almost all times, they fail to do so within 30 days, and your information must be DELETED!
If they do send you a letter verifying your disputed information within 30 days, then the next step is to send Letter # 2 below.
If they fail to respond to your initial letter within 30 days, go ahead and send Letter # 3 below.
If your information is verified, or you do not hear back within 30 days, you should ALSO send letter # 4 at this time, which should be mailed to the original bank that reported you to Chexsystems.
Please be sure to read our additional notes as well, located after the sample letters below.
Printing the letters: Copy and paste each letter into a word processor like Microsoft Word. Then make the changes necessary to personalize it. Note that there is a section at the bottom of each letter that says “cc: enter attorney’s name here”. I did not have an attorney, as I represented myself, however I did add a made up attorney name here to let them know I was a little more serious than the average Joe. Feel free to do this at your discretion.
Letter # 1 (This is Your Original Dispute with ChexSystems)
Your Name
Your Address
ChexSystems Consumer Relations
7805 Hudson Road
Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
Date
RE: Consumer ID # (your consumer ID # here)
Dear Collections and Consumer Relations Dept.:
I have recently been informed that there is negative information reported by (name of bank) in the file ChexSystems maintains under my Social Security number. Upon ordering a copy of the report, I see an entry from this bank listing a “(condition such as NSF)” in (month/year).
I am unaware of ever having a “(same as condition above)” from this bank.
Please validate this information with (name of bank) and provide me with copies of any documentation associated with this “(same condition as above)” bearing my signature. In the absence of any such documentation bearing my signature, I ask that this information
be immediately deleted from the file you maintain under my Social
Security number.
My contact information is as follows:
Your Name (printed or typed, not signed)
SSN
Address
Cc: (insert lawyer’s name here), Esquire
Letter # 2 (Send this 2nd letter if you receive a letter back from Chexsystems within 30 days, saying your account was verified as “legitimate” by ChexSystems)
Your Name
Your Address
ChexSystems Consumer Relations
7805 Hudson Road
Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
Date
RE: Consumer ID # (your consumer ID # here)
Dear Collections and Consumer Relations Dept.:
This letter is in response to your recent claim that (Name of Bank) has verified that I have an unpaid debt with them. Yet again, you have failed to provide me with a copy of any viable evidence submitted by (Name of Bank). Be advised that the description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information is hereby requested, to be provided within fifteen (15) days of the completion of your re-investigation. Additionally, please provide the name, address, and telephone number of each person contacted at (Name of Bank) regarding this alleged account. I am formally requesting a copy of any documents provided by (Name of Bank), bearing my signature, showing that I have a legally binding contractual obligation to pay them. A bank clerk looking at their computer screen, seeing my name listed in their database is NOT verification or validation of any alleged debt.
Be aware that I am making a final goodwill attempt to have you clear up this matter. The listed item is entirely inaccurate and incomplete, and represents a very serious error in your reporting.
Failure to comply with federal regulations by credit reporting agencies are investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (see 15 USC 41, et seq.). I am maintaining a careful record of my communications with you for the purpose of filing a complaint with the FTC and the state of Texas Attorney General’s office, should you continue in your non-compliance. I further remind you that, as in Wenger v. Trans Union Corp., No. 95-6445 (C.D.Cal. Nov. 14, 1995), you may be liable for your willful non-compliance.
Failure on your behalf to provide a copy of any alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature will result in a small claims action against your company. I will be seeking $5,000 in damages for the following:
1.) Defamation
2.) Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud
3.) Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
My contact information is as follows:
Your Name (printed or typed, not signed)
SSN
Address
Cc: (insert lawyer’s name here), Esquire
Letter # 3 (Send if ChexSystems fails to respond to letter # 1 within 30 Days – instead of sending them letter #2)
Your Name
Your Address
ChexSystems Consumer Relations
7805 Hudson Road
Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
Date
RE: Consumer ID # (your consumer ID # here)
Dear Collections and Consumer Relations Dept.:
As I have not heard back from you in over 30 days regarding my notice of dispute dated (date your letter was sent), I must presume that no proof in fact exists.
You have thirty (30) days from receipt of this notice to respond. Your failure to respond, in writing, hand signed, and in a timely manner, will work as a waiver to any and all of your claims in this matter, and will entitle me to presume that you are reporting my name and social security number in error, and that this matter is permanently closed.
Your continued silence is unacceptable. You must either provide the proof or correct the record to remove the invalid entry from my ChexSystems file. You are currently in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Failure to respond within 30 days of receipt of this certified letter will result in a small claims action against your company. I will be seeking $5,000 in damages for:
1.) Defamation
2.) Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud
3.) Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
For the purposes of 15 USC 1692 et seq., this Notice has the same effect as a dispute to the validity of the alleged debt and a dispute to the validity of your claims. This Notice is an attempt to correct your records, and any information received from you will be collected as evidence should any further action be necessary. This is a request for information only, and is not a statement, election, or waiver of status.
My contact information is as follows:
Your Name (printed or typed, not signed)
SSN
Address
Cc: (insert lawyer’s name here), Esquire
Letter #4 – (Send to the bank that reported you to ChexSystems)
Date
Your Name and Address
Name and Address of original bank
Re: Acct # 000-000-000-000
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is regarding account # (insert # here), which you claim (insert condition here, such as “I owe $200.00″). This is a formal notice that your claim is disputed.
I am requesting validation, made pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Please note that I am requesting “validation”; that is competent evidence bearing my signature, showing that I have (or ever had) some contractual obligation to pay you.
Please also be aware that any negative mark found on my credit reports (including ChexSystems credit reports) from your company or any company that you represent for a debt that I don’t owe is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act; therefore if you cannot validate the debt, you must request that all credit reporting agencies delete the entry.
Pending the outcome of my investigation of any evidence that you submit, you are instructed to take no action that could be detrimental to any of my credit reports.
Failure to respond within 30 days of receipt of this certified letter will result in legal action against your company. I will be seeking a minimum of $5,000 in damages for:
1) Defamation
2) Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud
3) Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
For the purposes of 15 USC 1692 et seq., this Notice has the same effect as a dispute to the validity of the alleged debt and a dispute to the validity of your claims. This Notice is an attempt to correct your records, and any information received from you will be collected as evidence should any further action be necessary. This is a request for information only, and is not a statement, election, or waiver of status.
My contact information is as follows:
Your Name (printed or typed, not signed)
SSN
Address
Cc: (insert lawyer’s name here), Esquire
Additional Info
It is your legal right to dispute any item on your credit report, for any reason. If documented proof that discredits your dispute isn’t provided within 30 days, it MUST be removed by law. This is why it is so important to send the dispute form via certified mail. Not only to insure its delivery, but to have documented time of when it was sent.
The above letters should permanently remove your listing with ChexSystems, but in unique cases may only remove your name for a period of a few days. Our advice is as soon as ChexSystems sends a letter to you saying that you have been removed, GO AND OPEN A FEW CHECKING ACCOUNTS IMMEDIATELY. This is because the bank may verify your negative information a little after the required 30 day period. If this happens, your information will be deleted after 30 days, then re-inserted
a few days later.
Working Directly with the Bank that Reported You
After you have sent letter # 4 to the bank that reported you to Chexsystems, within 30 days, they must send you proof that you violated some sort of contract with them by maintaining a negative balance for too long, or writing a bad check, etc. Proof must be in the form of something tangible, which is indisputable. An example would be them providing a copy of original contract you signed when you opened the bank account, with your signature.
IMPORTANT: Even if the bank does verify with indisputable evidence that you did fail to bring your account to a positive standing, or that you owe them money, they are STILL required by law to report to ChexSystems that you have formally disputed the information in your ChexSystems file from this bank. THEY NEVER DO. – And this my friend, is your guaranteed way out of Chexsystems.
What you will need to do is request your Chexsystems report again, from ConsumerDebit.com exactly 30 days after your letter is received by the bank. (and you will know the exact day they received it because you sent it certified mail).
Now look at your updated Chexsystems report and see if the bank has added a note on your report stating “Consumer disputes as per FCRA”. If they didn’t, you have them in a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 623. Now they have broken the law and its game over for them.
Remember, you aren’t doing anything illegal here. You are simply using the laws to your advantage. Whether or not the debt is truly yours is irrevelant. The banks and Chexsystems are required by law to report clearly and accurately, and in a timely fashion. However, they are overwhlemed with so many complaints, calls, letters, etc. that they cannot keep up the time frames required by federal law.
Next, send a simple letter to the bank, letting them know you intend to sue them within 30 days unless they delete all record of the entire debt, and remove you from Chexsystems, in exchange for you dropping the suit. If they do not respond to your liking, or do not respond at all, simply take them to Small Claims court, which only costs around $20. When they are served notice of a court date, they will settle 99% of the time over the phone because they do not have the time or money to waste by sending a lawyer to appear in court on their behalf for one measly customer and a debt of a few hundred dollars.
If they do miraculously decide to appear in court, you will win anyway, because you are not saying you don’t owe the debt, you are suing them for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which they in fact did. – I know this to be a fact because I did go to court and WIN this way!
Always proof read your letters -It would be a little embarrassing to send a letter that still had some of our notes on it, not to mention the fact that they probably wouldn’t take you seriously.
Summary
You should know that ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency, just like Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. Therefore, you are protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Section 623(a)(3) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act:
§ 623. Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies [15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2]
(a) (3) Duty to provide notice of dispute. If the completeness or accuracy of any information furnished by any person to any consumer reporting agency is disputed to such person by a consumer, the person may not furnish the information to any consumer reporting agency without notice that such information is disputed by the consumer.
Section 807(8) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:
§ 807. False or misleading representations [15 USC 1962e]
(8) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed.
Typically, you can sue for up to $1,000 per violation of the above laws.
Taking Chexsystems to Small Claims Court
If you’ve taken all of the above steps, with unfavorable results, you still have one, VERY POWERFUL final resort. The final method is to file small claims suits against ChexSystems. Don’t worry! It is much easier than it sounds. Most of the time they won’t even put up a fight! They will settle. They will not show up in court. Not only will they delete your record, sometimes they will actually pay you a cash settlement.
After all, they benefit nothing by reporting your negative information. When they are threatened financially, they usually settle for removal in exchange for you dropping the suit. And remember, filing a small claims suit only costs around $20.
Don’t forget, if the original bank failed to validate and show proof of a debt to YOU, how could ChexSystems possibly be verifying these debts!? They can’t. This is because they verify the debts by contacting a $7 per hour clerk at the bank who says, “Yes, I see the debt listed on our computer.” They consider that “verification”. But the courts do NOT consider that proper verification. You will have many little known case laws to back you up. This is the stuff the they don’t want anyone to know! ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency just like Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. They all fall under the same federal laws.
What you can file suit against them for:
“negligent and willful failure to reinvestigate the disputed entries in violation of sections 611(a), 616, and 617 of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681i(a), 1681n, 1681o”
A copy of a similar lawsuit appeal where TransUnion was found liable for their lackluster verification procedures can be found at:
FindLaw.com – In the search box enter something in reference to: “Cushman v. Trans Union Corp., 920 F. Supp. 80 (E.D. Pa. 1996) or Cushman v. Trans Union Corp., 115 F.3d 220 (3d Cir. 1997)”
Send a copy of the above case to the ChexSystems legal department, and we’ll bet that they will suddenly want to settle with you! After all, why would they want to tangle with a savvy consumer who knows the law, all over a debt of a measly few hundred dollars?
Some other cases you may want to reference are:
Richardson v. Fleet Bank of Massachusetts – the court held that the company failed to follow reasonable procedures by relying on creditors for accurate credit information because the company had reason to know of the dispute between the consumer and the company.
Bryant v. TRW – the Defendant consumer reporting agency unsuccessfully argued that, under §607(b) of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., it was not liable as a matter of law, for reports it issued in good faith, and as a result of inaccurate information provided to it by Plaintiff’s creditors. The court held that Defendant was not free from liability when the credit reports at issue was not accurate. Once inaccuracy was determined, defendant’s agency procedures were determined to be not reasonable to ensure maximum possible accuracy, pursuant to §§607(b). In Bryant v. TRW, Inc., 487 F.Supp. 1234, 1242-43 (E.D.Mich.1980), the district court awarded a consumer $8,000 for anguish resulting from denials of a mortgage due to inaccurate credit reports. The Sixth Circuit affirmed. 689 F.2d 72 (6th Cir.1982).
Stevenson v. TRW Inc., 987 F.2d 288, 293 (5th Cir. 1993). – “Allowing inaccurate information back onto a credit report after deleting it because it is inaccurate is negligent.”
Fischl v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 708 F.2d 143, 151 (5th Cir.1983). – Actual damages include humiliation or mental distress, even if the consumer has suffered no out-of-pocket losses.
In Pinner, 805 F.2d at 1265, the consumer was awarded $ 25,000 for mental distress because of the humiliation and embarrassment resulting from three credit denials and from lengthy dealings with the credit bureau. The court did, however, order a remittitur from the original jury award of $100,000 mental distress damages. Another consumer received $10,000 because of humiliation and embarrassment suffered from three denials of credit and from the fact that the credit bureau took several months to correct the credit report’s inaccuracies. Thompson v. San Antonio Retail Merchants Ass’n, 682 F.2d 509, 513-14 (5th Cir.1982).
In Collins v. Retail Credit Co., 410 F.Supp. 924, 936 (E.D.Mich.1976), the court awarded a consumer $21,750 for embarrassment and humiliation.
In Morris v. Credit Bureau of Cincinnati, Inc., 563 F.Supp. 962, 969 (S.D.Ohio 1983), the consumer was awarded $10,000 for anguish and embarrassment even though, after he was denied credit, he explained the inaccuracies on his credit report and subsequently obtained credit.
In Millstone v. O’Hanlon Reports, Inc., 528 F.2d 829, 834-35 (8th Cir.1976), the Eighth Circuit upheld an award of $2,500 for mental anguish after an insurer cancelled the consumer’s policy because of an inaccurate credit report.
Ryan v. Trans Union Corp., Case No. 99 C 216, 2001 – “The court held that defendants were entitled to a partial award of attorney’s fees from plaintiff under the FCRA to the extent that plaintiff filed oppositions to defendants’ summary judgment motions knowing that he no longer had a valid claim.”
It is not necessary to go to small claims court to get this resolved. Make sure you forward the police report to ChexSystems and to the banks fraud department. Follow-up with a phone call to the bank. If you don’t have the address to the bank, they can provide that to you. Being persistent is the KEY to financial recovery.
Beautiful letters, now I have hope, thank you.
We just reorganized the site and unfortunately we lost a lot of very helpful comments. So please take a moment to add a comment, whether its to help, say thanks, or just some inspiration for others!
What do I do if they do not respond to letter 2 within 30 days?
in chexsystems FAQ’s says: Each report submitted to ChexSystems remains on our files for five years…
The 5 years have past and the bad report is still in my credit record. Should I send a letter requesting removal because the 5 years period have past?
I wrote a check at a Motorhome park in June, The owner cashed it in Sept. In Aug. That same year I relocated in another state and closed down the bank account the check was writen too. Check Systems said it was my fault even though the check was held onto for so long. The attorney generals office told me it was a felony to close a account with a outstanding check involved. It took me a year to clear it up. The party that reports you has to clear if off the CS books, You can’t do it yourself at least that was my experience at the time. Now a bank has reported me again. I wanted them to stop a auto debit, after writing to them and phoning the bank I stopped putting money into that account , then they closed the account so I could not put any money into it, and kept dinging me for NSF on the auto debit account!! Now I have to try to that bank to take me off. I paid the Overdraft $174. But they kept dinging me over and over after that time and now want more money!! THey have all the rights in the US we have none!!
Awesome information, however, how do I copy letters from website?
Yani, if the info is still on your report after 5 years, contact the agency through mail and have them remove the account. It is required by law.
very good information, indeed. I don’t have checking account problem at this point but I am left with only one account, which is checking, with insignificant daily balance.
This resulted because of bad financial situation and credit card debts. I am being haunted by a few card banks and collectors but don’t have money to feed these vultures. I think the information you provided about asking for proof (validation) of debt in writing at 30 day intervals will be helpful in dealing with collectors also. They are doing a lot of crooked stuff and this strategy will give them a jolt.
If you have any advice on dealing with credit card debt collectors, i will appreciate if you will let me know.
Thanks
SK
butrogali@Yahoo.com
Great info, my Dad had a stroke recently which left him unable to see, so he wanted me on his bank account to help him out. I went to the bank and they wouldn’t let him put me on the account due to a ChexSystem report. After trying to work this out with the bank, I’m using your advise. Just as you say, even though you take care of the problem that caused the ding, even if it wasn’t your “fault”, it makes absolutely no difference. The bank told me that there was no way they would get ChexSystems to remove my name. I was really upset about the whole bureaucratic baloney. I spent a whole week trying to work this issue out in a cilvil manner. Forget it! There really ought to be a law against abusing the public in the manner. I am hopeful that by follow all these straight forward steps I’l resolve this. THANK YOU so much for this comprehensive web site.
I have over 10 years of legal experience and collections experience. Excellent, excellent, excellent advice! You will be blessed for providing this information to people. The only thing I would ad, is if things don’t go exactly as described above simply stay at it. I have NEVER met someone with real perservance that did not get removed from Check Systems (whether the initial information was accurate or not). Good luck to you all.
I DID CONTACT THE BANKS AND CHEXSYSTEMS BOTH DISPUTING the entires on Chexsystems. I think it is unfair the Banks (or whoever) does not have to note they were contacted by the account holder or what they did in regards to their actions (like US Bank I was involved in a counterfiet matter they refused to close the account yet kept charging me…to name 1 concern but they didn’t tell Chexsystems that). So I am screwed for the Banks not informing Chexsystems I did contact they and why the dispute.
Thank you very much for posting this extremely helpful information. Does this work with Telecheck as well? I’m not even sure if we have an issue with Telecheck but am going to look into it to be sure.
I’m so happy to find your site. I am submitting my dispute tomorrow so I can get this “Suspected Fraud” off my record.
Going to give this a shot. Seems like great info. Let you know how it goes.
Going to give this a shot. Seems like great info. Let you know how it goes.
I called chexSystems about an account that was reported in 2008 for a charged off balance of about $230. I have proof from the bank (Bank Statement dated just 2 months later) that the negative balance was paid off just a month after it was reported.
ChexSystem wants a copy of the updated statement and they’ll remove the record once received, so they say.
I plan on sending this copy on Monday and then have them send me another consumer report in Feb.
If it is still listed as is, then I’ll start with the steps outlined here to get it removed. I was already able to open a new FULL service checking account with another bank, after showing them this updated statement.
Thx for the advice… I am going to try to use this system. I am soooo very upset at the whole banking system. I went to open an account at a new local smaller bank where people are are treated nicely. “What a concept” When I did, they informed me that I am in the CS database and they could not open an account for me. I would have to have that cleared first! (Same-Ol-Story) So got my report and did some digging…. US Bank filed a claim a few years ago that I had an account overdraft on a closed account. I never had a US Bank account. ?!?!?!? More digging… come to find out US Bank in 1995 had acquired the banked 22 years ago! US Bank opened a claim that has to be over 22 years old. (WTF – That can not be legal – What happened to “fair” in the reporting act to CS and US Bank) I am assuming that when I closed the account there was an outstanding charge or check or something for the amount of $38.23. I can not believe all the headache, frustration, time and research over that amount. I think that this reporting agency along with the way the banking industry works with it is nearly legal blackmail / extortion. You can be put on it so very easy and once on you have top fight and fight to get it off. Well now I am off to step into the ring and battle. (I know I will win) Your posted system has give me a very clear step-by-step process to deal with my claim.
for letter #4, what if i forgot my account number?
what to do if bank does file your dispute to chexsystems?
Great information that you have here. I am glad that I came across your website. I am going to give the letters a try and let you know how everything works out. Thanks.
Great information. Thanks a lot. I am going to send some letters out this monday. I will update you as soon as i get a respond.
Thanks for the information I am in the process of using it. Truth is I never had the account they said I had.
Thanks
I’m alittle confused on when to send letter #2 & #4? On the instructions it says to mail #4 with letter #2 once Chexsystems responds and says it verified your claim as “legitimate”. On instructions for letter #4 it says to mail it with letter #1? Also, if chexsystems responds to 1st letter indicating they are trying to verify dispute, do I send the #2 letter then? or wait for another letter from chexsystems saying that it’s “legitimate”
I just started the process got my first letter from ChexSystems verified as accurate and they sent me a copy of the agreement I signed when I opened the account and copies of the bank statements. Is this enough? I am still sending the 2nd letter. Any suggestions?
In letter #2 it says “filing a complaint with the FTC and the state of Texas Attorney General’s office”, should this be changed to the state you live in?
Also, if you end up having to file in small claims will it need to be filed in the state the account was or the state in which you currently reside?
I just went to the site to request my free consumer report and they wasnt $10.50 to get a copy. Also, the bank that reported is almost at the five year mark. Should i contact the bank to have them remove me? Or should I contact CS?
I received a letter from them saying the bank verified my account but reduced the balance and now my report says “partially paid”, but they did not send paperwork with it. They said I need to contact the bank, which I did when I send letter 1 out. Should I go ahead and send letter 2?
I was on Chexsystems because of an overdraft. I complained to my Attorney General and I got a letter from my bank apologizing and removed me from the list.
hi there. i’m trying to buy a home and i am so nervous that my unsolved issues will get in the way. in 2006 i had an account with washington mutual that was sent to collections. i paid it in full a week later (at the bank) never even knew it had gone to collection. about two years ago, i tried to open an acount with a credit union. it was then that i was told about chexsystems, they printed me a copy of the report and it stated that the account had not yet been paid. i went to the bank which was now chase, spent hours and hours trying to get a hold of someone who can help me. they sent me to chexsystems and they then sent me to the collection agency my account had gone to. i asked for a letter saying the account had been paid in full. i sent the letter to chexsystems and thought it was all over….nope! they now have it recorded that the acount was paid in full, but not till 2009!i paid it in 2006, that would be 5 years ago! i need to be off this system, i haven’t even told my lender i am so embarrassed. i just found this website and am going to try the advice given. how long will it take them to fix this? is there any hope?
I made the mistake of paying a bank money they say I owed even though they were the reason I was overdrafted. They misplaced my deposit and didnt care one bit that they did. wouldnt work with me so they sent me to a collection agency, after being bothered by these folks i paid them to keep from being sued. the collection agency lost the money order some how which delayed the process by another 3 weeks. I got a letter yesterday saying they found it. I asked to be removed from chexsystems and the collection agency said i would be but instead they put on my report paid in full and they have my first name spelled wrong on my chexsystems report. they charged me for 2 accounts and all i ever had with them was 1 account. is there any thing i can do to dispute this or am i stuck with this? Thanks
Hi, awesome, awesome blog guys. I have a question; i have 2 dings against me on chexsystems and i paid the outstanding debts to collections agencies. The 2 banks involved did notify me that i owed them the ‘outstanding balance’ however, when i went directly into the banks to pay them for the mistake, they informed me that i was unable to pay them and i had to pay the collection agency. Ive paid the collection agencies in a timely manner, am I still able to dispute the claims and pursue a letter of verification in the fashion described above? Or, because Ive paid the debt, have I admitted guilt and foregone any type of retribution or pardon? Also, the representative who contacted me concerning the second matter specifically told me that if I pay his company by the end of the week which we spoke ( I did) that this would not be reflected on my chexsystems report. Does this make a difference?
Your help would be extremely helpful and appreciated… free me from the tyranny of chexsystems!!!
I too have this same question.
Monica says:
March 1, 2011 at 9:33 pm
I’m alittle confused on when to send letter #2 & #4? On the instructions it says to mail #4 with letter #2 once Chexsystems responds and says it verified your claim as “legitimate”. On instructions for letter #4 it says to mail it with letter #1? Also, if chexsystems responds to 1st letter indicating they are trying to verify dispute, do I send the #2 letter then? or wait for another letter from chexsystems saying that it’s “legitimate”
In your sample letter why does it say “not signed”? Do I not sign my letter?
I initially thought this would work,however, after all letters are mailed they( chex systems and bank of america) come back with the reporting was accurate. I dont want to take the small claims court route. any other suggestions?
I know why I am in Chexsystems, and I know that I did have overdrafts that caused me to be there. Can I really dispute it if I know that I made the mistakes 4 years ago??
Im new at all of this and have a bit of questions.
1. You still have to pay the debt right?
2. in letter # 1 it states “(condition such as NSF)” what does that mean? Do I have to insert something there?
Mr. Kelly Scott: Fantastic information. Everything happened as you predicted. I have progressed to the point of filing a lawsuit. Would it be possible to obtain copies of your lawsuit complaint and the results? Thanks.
Should I use this process or pay them first?
I don’t truly dispute the info on my report–it was a mistake with auto-withdrawal that went on one month longer than I had requested, which thus overdrew my account and went unnoticed for 1.5 years because I moved away and stopped using the account. When I found out about it, in June 2008, I paid the balance thinking it would clear everything up. I am still on CS because of the five year thing.
Should I “dispute” the info on the report anyway??? I just want to get into a checking/savings account that doesn’t charge me $14 a month, like the BofA accounts I have now do.
your info really works. I tried it with the bank i wrote about last month, when it came to filing a small claim they removed the info from all my credit reports.
Guys, here are some answers for you:
@Jason – if you forgot your account number, you can just use your SSN and they should be able to identify your account in question.
@Monica – You can send letter #4 whenever you like. You may never need to send it. Or you may want to send it if Chexsystems miraculously follows the law in time. Or you may want to send it right away, at the same time as letter #1 if you want to “rock the boat” and increase your chances of either Chexsystems or the bank screwing up.
If Chexsystems sends you a letter saying they need more time, thats too bad for them. All you need to do is get a copy of your Chexsystems report 30 days after they signed for your dispute, and see if they marked it as disputed. Chances are they didn’t. And that means they’ve broken the law, and you’ve got em.
@Melissa – you would keep it as Texas because thats where Chexsystems is located.
@Irma – you need to get a copy of your Chex report again and see if they marked it as “disputed”. Most likely they didn’t.
@Rosemary – I would contact both of them.
@Tammy – If they didn’t mark it as “disputed” they have broken the law.
@Scottie – sounds like small claims court time. You can file the suit, and then mail it to them. Chances are it won’t be worth it for them to travel to your state. Since the contract was signed in your area, I believe your area would be the correct venue. (although not legal advice!)
@Travis – I wouldn’t sign because I wouldn’t want them comparing signatures, if it came down to arguing that the original contract has a false signature.
@Shana – sounds like you’ve given up then? If they didn’t mark as disputed, you need to take them to small claims and mail them the documents. Chances are, they will settle and you will never have to go to court.
@SH – Its up to you.
@Gabriel – 1) I didn’t pay mine. 2) NSF means “insufficient funds”. There are many other reasons you may have been reported. Just insert the reason that applies to you.
@RLC – Sorry, it was over 10 years ago!
@Jessica – I didn’t pay a dime.
@Randi – its up to you.
@Scottie: Awesome! Congrats!
…and congrats to everyone else who got the results they were looking for. After all of the shady stuff the banks and financial institutions have gotten away with (or tried to) I am glad so many of you have been able to win one for the good guys.
Best,
Kelly
When should i try to open up another bank account? Before or after they recive letters #3 and 4 ???
This all seems great but why cant i get someone on the phone.
Admin.Thanks for the relief. I have used your methods,as such, I am 90% out of CS. The second bank fail to file ‘dispute’! Thanks
Thank you very much! Everything has been really helpful. Stick to the template guys and you will see results!
have a question? i went to wells fargo bank to open up a 2nd chance checking account ,,i told them i was in chex systems they said no problem.. i opened it and a week later my funds are on hold.. then they are closing it because of chex systems.. is this tight..ed
I received the info. requested back from Checksystems and it says I can also fax a dispute. Is mailing the letter or fax better? Does it matter?
wow! i am so glad i found this site! thank you ADMIN…. i have a situation with US Bank…however i have spoken to the collection agency retained by them to come after me for the funds – they continuously call and say the i’m being “sued” etc.. which i know is not true, however, my question is if i have spoken to them and didn’t deny these are my charges can i still try this?? my concern is if they have recorded conversations and/or notes in file stating they “spoke” with me that i may not have a chance… Also, does this work with items on your credit report?? i have so much debt from 98-2003 — and i was thinking of filing a BK but really want to avoid it.. if i write the same type of letter to validate the debts, etc.. can and will they be removed from my credit report???… PLEASE HELP!!.. thank you again for your advise…
A couple of years ago BBandt put me in Chexsystems and I got a bank account with Bank Of America before it showed up on my record.
I sent a dispute letter via fax to check systems after sending initial letter to request my consumer report and they sent a return letter back stating this letter is in response to your communication regarding information contained in Chex Systems files. The said the finle was forwarded to the appropriate personnel for handling and if an investigation was necessary they would contact the source(bank). They said under normal circumstances they would notify me of the result within 30 days but if additional information was provided by me the time would be extended 15 days.
I never provided any addition information and never heard back from them. Their return letter is dated 2/18/2011. What should I do next? Which letter am I on?