Telecheck Stinks

I had this happen to me once in Younkers, I called them when I was standing right there and the girl told me that since I hadn't written a check in along time that they needed my information which I gave her. She took the information and then told the clerk to try to run it again. She did and everything was fine. I don't understand how they operate. Confusing.

ladybug

There HAS to be some "agency" or whatever that can tell you why you are being denied. How can they just say "it could be for several reasons"??? That's insane! How can you write checks just fine and dandy one day & then the next day be denied? MARY!!!! Is there someone roxy can call to find out exactly who reported her or what the problem is?????

Thanks for putting that more simply, I just do not get it. I have been writing checks to this particular store for years...and all of a sudden I am having problems and no one can tell me why. Not only is it embarassing, but so many merchants use this service that I almost feel as if I am being held hostage by them. It is really scary that a company has the power to do this and not have to answer to anyone.

Big difference is that telecheck will remove you if paid and chexsystems will not unless the bank tells them to. Both are CRA's

According to the Federal Trade Commission they are considered a consumer reporting agency, as specified in the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

They collect, store and report consumer information relating to check transactions and bank accounts.

Also, Telecheck activities are governed by two federal laws because they collect and sell consumer information, and also collect debts.

So basically the same as chexsystems ..send them a certified letter or get their fax so you have proof of the fax for faster action and tell them they need to correct their records immediately or you will file a complaint with
1. their attorney general ( Texas )
Headquarters
TeleCheck Services, Inc.
5251 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77056
2. your state attorney general
3. the OCC

I already completed the paperwork to file with Texas and my AG. I just need to mail it. I did not know I can file with the OCC. How do I do that. Can I use their fax information off the BBB web site? It is for the telecheck HQ address you have above. And lastly, did filing with the FTC help me at all?

Also, what do I ask them to remove or fix, they say I do not have a negative check writing history with them...just the fact that they say this yet I am being denied and not being given a reason.

yes that address is to the telecheck HQ ...I would make the complaint to the OCC yes but this is a complaint about the " bank that reported you to telecheck " that they are in error etc and has not corrected their records


http://www.occ.treas.gov/customer.htm#Filing%20a%20Formal%20Complaint

roxy, you haven't had any bad checks at all, correct? Not just with this particular store. So when saying that telecheck "will remove you if paid", what if you don't have a bad check out? What would be "removed if paid"? I'm soooooo confused. Mary! Help!

oh I am sorry I just copied n pasted that ...I am just making clear the difference between Chexsystems and telecheck when I say that. When paid, chex will NOT remove you but Telecheck will.

I know alot of stores use Telecheck now as a check verification the same as Chexsystems uses SCAN.

So are you saying a bank reported me to telecheck...which bank...my bank? Why would they do that? Do I need to call them and ask. My bank is not online with them according to them.

It could be the bank or telecheck that have put up a " red flag " so to speak over the amount of checks that you have written. SCAN and Telecheck are known to become " suspicious " if you write too many in a certain period of time.

If that is not the case then I would contact the bank and start complaining. But someone at Telecheck should be able to tell you if that is the case or not.

They are not telling me anything other than the response I posted above. If I keep going up the food chain should they be able to tell me. And why would my bank report me after five years of having an account with them. I always write alot of checks so I do not get this...Could it have to something to do with my closing my old account and opening a new one four months ago.

Also, some PDL's threaten to report you to check verifying agencies.

If you have not had any bad checks then it is because they think you are writing too many in a small period of time, chexsystems does the same thing

I have looked all over their site but I see nothing that explains this. REDICULOUS !!!


Declined Check Information for Check Writers
1-800-366-2425

Returned Check Collection
1-800-366-2425

Free annual file disclosure pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act
1-800-TELECHECK

Fraud, Identity Theft, Forgery
1-800-710-9898

Headquarters
telecheck Services, Inc.
5251 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77056


read this story...same as yours

freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1809689/posts

I went to their web site today...suprisingly, not, there was no place for complaints or customer service. I will call the bank first thing in the morning and then I will contniue to file. I want an answer!! I just do not get why my bank would report me to telecheck when they are not even in telechecks system..that is why I am having to have them call the bank to verify the funds.

They may not have reported you, possibly just flagged you with telecheck if you wrote too many checks ( well that they consider too many that is ) But I am sure they can ADD some light on this situation

Here are two scenarios I have encountered:

This happened to me a year ago. The bank hasn't reported you. You probably came up "Code 3" which means "while we haven't found any negative information about you in the database, your check fell out of certain parameters set up by Telecheck and the merchant." It can be the amount of the check, the number of checks written, the time of day, the check number. It is a velocity control, and you are denied check writing privileges for 6 business days. After the 6th business day, you may or may not be approved at Telecheck merchants.

This one happened to a family member. She has a limited check writing history. They (Telecheck) may have called your bank to verify funds on your account for previously written checks. At the time they called, you may not have had sufficient funds in there (even though the check cleared). It is their positive pay control, and any further check transactions may be approved or denied based on this verification by Telecheck.

Certegy pulls this type of denial alot. It happens when someone tries to cash a paycheck or write a check at a drugstore for medicine they need. Especially their Code 10 - probable chance the check is fraud. Happened to a family member trying to get her thyroid medication at the big pharmacy that begins with "W".

These check verification agencies don't want YOU the consumer to know their parameters, but I have learned by calling and being persistent. Plus you can piece together what some of these parameters are by reading all the complaints others have posted.

Roxy..I just have one question...did the cashier at the store give you a receipt that had a phone number on it. I worked for three years at Walmart and anytime a check was denied..a transaction receipt would come out of the register with a phone number on it for the customer to call...

Yes and it was code 3 like cjh said. One of the biggest issues with them seems to be that my bank is not in their system so they have to call to verify....and as for having money in my account....the first time the lady did verify I had funds to cover a $24.00 check...in fact I probably could have covered about 15 $24.00 checks and yesterday....my direct deposit hit saturday morning so I had enought probably to pay the snotty tlelcheck workers paycheck for the month and have some left over...so I know that was not it... I have pretty much figured out that the workers are inconsistenet and no one is going to answer questions, so I am just going to have to call the bank and continue my filing campeign. THis should not be allowed to happen to people. I know there are people out there who have unpaid checks and such....but I do not and one thing I hate more than anything is to be punished for someone else. I could understand if I had an issue, but I do not and have not and refuse to be persecuted for someone else.

Roxy..have you checked out Certegy on the web(like cjh stated above) they are a check protection service that alot of merchants are using these days. I don't know if it pertains to you problem but it's interesting to see the situations people have been in with them.

NO, I need to go look at this. I am so sick about all this. I am waiting to hear from my bank.

I went and read the information on Certergy....It is pretty much the same issues I have been experiencing. I am now sitting on hold for over 8 minutes for a supervisor at telecheck. I wish I could boycott the stores involved but it is next to impossible.

The bank finally called me back and I explained the situtaion to the customer service rep that helped me close my account to pdls...She went over my records and could not find any place that they have made negative comments about me. SO she is researching and said she will keep me posted. We will see what happens....but I have filed with everyone imaginable...because the people at telecheck only wanted to put me down and not help me.

I am so sorry Roxy..I know it doesn't halp you feel any better but if I were you I would start using your debit card more and forget the checks

I know it is frustrating. I try never to write checks, had to one time at walmart and was sweating it the whole time for fear that something would lurk to the surface but everything went smoothly. Hang in there it will all work out. I know it is frustrating and embarassing to say the least.

ladybug

I have been using debits since my pdl fiasco but Hubby and I have separate accounts and he received a large check and had it deposited in my acount so I gave him my debit card to christmas shop with and I was using my checks....until Friday :? It is really frustrating becuase I have not done anything wrong except try to buy christmas presents. People do not realize the potentially dangerous situation we are all putting ourselves in by relying on computers to make decisions for us.....

Anyway, Thank you all for the support and kind words. And yes Ladybug it is very embarassing especially living in a small town and knowing the people in line with you when your checks are denied.

roxy, keep us updated. This whole Code 3/Code 10 thing is just crazy. It "flags" your account? Even though you didn't do anything wrong? What the hell? Are they basically saying that you can be denied writing a check because they feel as though you have "written enough"??? Good Lord!

When I talked to telecheck today I made the supervisor slow down and tell me each and every reason so I could write them down. OOOOhhhhhh she was piiiisssseeeddd. She did not like that all and she liked it even less when she tried to talk down to me and I informed her (thanks MCA) that I was going to report her to the State of Texas Consumer Affairs and the KY AG and I had already reported them to the BBB and the FTC..then she told me the FTC would not help me because they had nothing to do with Telecheck and then I used the post from MCA above about the whole credit thing...she did not have much to say after that...I also informed her that she was not talking to an uneducated consumer and that I do have the knowledge and ability to research a situation to ensure my bases are covered when I decied to fight for my rights. She then told me to have a good day and hung up. I was so loving it.

This is not about the ability to write a check...I can just use my debit card...I know that. It is about my right to use a check if I so wish it. IT is about the fact that they keep claiming I do not have a negative check writing history with them but they deny my checks and will not tell me why. It is about the principle. I have a distinct problem when a computer decision can not and the company will not over ride the decision. These companies can get away with doing whatever they want to whomever they want and are not held accountable by any one...just like the pdls. And just like the pdls, if no one complains and stands up to bring attention to this problem these companies will never be held accountable for their actions.

yea, the FTC considers them a CRA ... they just rely on most people not knowing stuff like that. It is a typical attitude of those places.

Oh I almost forgot, I wanted to say I agree with you fully about having the right to write a check if you decide etc and not use your card. Unfortunately there is so much check fraud that goes on out there these days that more and more retail companies are getting stricter.

My husband works at a bank and he says that most banks wish they could do away with checks all together and force people to use nothing but a card. I am sure if it ever happens that it won't be any time soon but there are some banks that already do not offer checks with their checking accounts. example, ING has an Electric Orange checking that has electric checks. It is all done over the computer and they send out the checks for you.

In the recent years I am not sure if you have noticed but more and more places are not even taking checks anymore.

ON a last note, if I were you I also would have got the womans name and reported her for being so rude. Probably woudn't have done a lot of good but that is just how I am . I had problems with my cable company and before it was over with I was on the phone with the Vice President of the company.

I always get names and I write down the date, time and take notes during the call. If something is partiularly worthy, I will tell them to repeat themselves slowly becasue I am writing it down. :wink: I also mentioned each person by name and state located in, in my complaints....including her. :wink:

Iknow that checks are slowly becomming a thing of the past and I have been the vicitim of check fraud...had my checks stolen and bout 12,000.00 written out of my account...But the way I have been treated by telecheck is unacceptable and I certainly will not lay down and take it.

Go for it Roxy...you have had your check denied for no apparent reason. If the computer has done it..it is up to a human being to make it right! I, too use a debit card whenever possible...but like you I would want to have a choice to write a check if I chose too!

Laura, thanks, Unfortunately, some of the humans at telecheck can not think and rely on the computer to tell them wiath to do :lol:

I really do appreciate the support everyone has given and the invaluable information MCA has provided to me. I have learned so much and hopefully someone else has read this who has had this experience and it has helped them too.

Just an update...I filed complaints with the BBB, my state AG and the department of consumer affairs in Texas....suprisingly I have been able to write checks this past week. I received a response from the BBB, telecheck wants all this information. They claim to have been calling me at some random phone number. GoFigure. And my bank has been working on this as well still. They did not provide any negative information and are trying on my behalf to resolve this. I am going to send the requested information to telecheck and see what happens. I want to see them justify all this as well as the way their employees treated me. So in this case, I think filing has helped me.

Roxy, thanks so much for letting us all know what is going on. It has been on my mind. I am glad to see that you are getting something done about it. Please keep us posted and Happy Holidays to you and your Family !! :)

Spam removed - Mike

Quit spamming our forum and stick to your own. :lol:

i have the same problem right now. The merchant gives me a printout from Certegy. I call and stay on the phone for over an hour and a half before I give up and just feel defeated. The recording states the same information that you are givenover the phone and there is an option to be part of some gold member program where your information is always verified or some nonesense like that. Everyone has been telling me to call telechecks but apparently you are not getting very far with them either. Have you heard of Certegy or do you know if this is the same check processing company? My bank says that it has nothing to do with them. I did notice that the problem began after I had not used my checks for a while. Then the problem ended and it started all over again last week. I am SOOO frustrated!

How long does telecheck stay with you? Mines been paid off for 5 years, it's still there :twisted:

How long does your name stay on Telechecks file?

7 years but if you pay off the debt owed, they will remove you right away

thanks, this thread has been helpful because it seems like a similar problem to mine.

mca really? cuz the report I got on mine, says a year.

Well, I had a check which my bank declined as the deposit was made the same day the check was written and they chose to do debits first! UGH - thats a whole other story. Well, I called Walmart - which gave me Telecheck's #. I called them with all the info telling them about the check before they even knew of it. I had to wait until it was returned to them to authorize the payment once again AND their 25 charge. Long story short - they took all the money - claim that they have no negative information on me - yet I haven't been able to use a check in almost 2 months - at the least - I am very frustrated. Seems to me that every time you call they are asking for all the same information - do they just keep putting your info in the system so they can reject you every time the same account is used or your Drivers License is entered?? They DO NOT clear it once it is paid - trust me I have been going through it and getting NO where trying to get them to fix this!

Was denied by telecheck tried to call in, and their automated system was requiring me to give dl info, ph # bank routing # and account # before even speaking to a live person.........are they really that crazy? My cu will not verify accounts, almost no cu will because shareholders are owners

TELE-Check : I tried to make a purpose the other day at best buy, and they denied me for several reasons, first because my check number is too high, I have had the same account for 21 years, so that would explain that, and the other reason was because I don't normally write checks for the amount, I was purchasing a big screen television, how often do you purchase one of those? There plan was for me to divide the cost of the purchase by 3 and write three checks instead of one. If that isn't ridiculous enough just before Christmas I was in Sears and tried to write a check there and Tele Check refused me because I do not normally write checks there, and my check number was too high, If you ask me alot of these business who continue to use tele check are going to loose alot of business. Maybe these business need to recheck their check writing policys

I have never heard of telechek declining transactions for no reason until it happened to me 2 days ago. I went for my regular eye exam and contacts and when I gave them a check for payment they said it was declined. Merchant gave me a number to call. Telechek told me I do not have a negative record with them so I asked why they rejected my check. they said it could be that the amount was too high or the check # was too high or I wrote too many or not enough checks....blah,blah,blah. Bascially couldn't give me a reason why it was declined. I write checks all the time and my balance at the time was more than sufficient to cover the check. I agree that these merchants should lose business for dealing with telecheck. I guess I'll start using cash more often.

unfortunately you are not the first person that has told me that you have had this problem. It is rediculous

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