| The most effective way to deal with your problems | | | | offensive. Get the incorrect information taken off |
| with ChexSystems is to get entirely off the list. | | | | your report as quickly as possible. A law called the |
| Remember that this company isn't perfect. They | | | | Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires |
| make mistakes that can keep you from getting a | | | | ChexSystems and all other Consumer Reporting |
| bank account. If your status is a result of an error by | | | | Agencies to let you dispute any information that's |
| ChexSystems, you can get them taken off and clear | | | | inaccurate or incomplete. Start your dispute by |
| up your record. Here's how. | | | | sending a letter to ChexSystems detailing the errors |
| In order to find the error on your ChexSystems | | | | on your report. By sending this letter, ChexSystems |
| record, you'll need a copy of that record. You can | | | | is required under the FCRA to reinvestigate those |
| order a copy by calling ChexSystems (800-428-9623) | | | | errors within thirty days. If you send additional |
| and following their automated instructions. Remember | | | | information during that thirty day period, they may |
| that it takes a few days to get it. You'll want to | | | | take forty-five days. If they can't verify the |
| bookmark this article so you can return once your | | | | information you've disputed, ChexSystems must |
| copy arrives. | | | | remove it from your record. |
| Spend some time reviewing your report. It should | | | | If you're stuck in the limbo of being on the |
| include your name and your consumer identifier, as | | | | ChexSystems list, unable to open an account, it's |
| well as a few items of reported information (what | | | | worthwhile to spend a few minutes looking for |
| ChexSystems is telling banks about you). You'll also | | | | errors, and writing a letter to dispute them. |
| see one or more "Inquiries Initiated By Consumer | | | | The only cost to you is time and a stamp, and if you |
| Action". These are the things you reportedly did to | | | | succeed, your record could be entirely clean. Consider |
| cause someone to pull your report. There may also | | | | using a letter like the example below. Be sure to |
| be one or more "Retail Information" listings, which are | | | | clearly point out all errors. If you use the example |
| reports from other check writing databases, "Inquiries | | | | letter, be sure to replace all the italicized or bracketed |
| Not Initiated By Consumer Action", which are reports | | | | comments. Clarity and politeness are important, as is |
| that other people have pulled about you without your | | | | accuracy. Send the letter either via fax, or by postal |
| permission, and a history of checks you've ordered | | | | express mail, and be sure you keep a copy. |
| and your social security number and drivers license | | | | Once you've mailed your letter, ChexSystems may |
| information. | | | | contact you for more information. Make sure you |
| You'll have to look your report over with a fine | | | | remember when you sent your letter, and be sure to |
| toothed comb. Any error or inaccuracy should be | | | | put a note on your calendar. If you don't hear back |
| remembered. Then think about how you can prove | | | | from them within thirty days, you'll need to follow up. |
| that these items aren't correct. Focus especially on | | | | Check back at this website to find sample letters |
| the items in the reported information section, since | | | | that you can use for the follow up process. It only |
| that's what banks are being told. Are there reports | | | | takes a few minutes to find out what errors are on |
| of debts owed to banks that you know have been | | | | your ChexSystems report, and the benefits can be |
| paid? Find proof of payment so that you can dispute | | | | huge. Imagine being able to get a bank account again, |
| the entry. | | | | with a clean record! |
| Once you have your proof, it's time to go on the | | | | |