FISGlobal.com / Certegy review: declined checks! 620

I just had the same problem in Home Depot. I have over $4, 000 in my checking account and tried to write a check for $680.22; the check was declined. The girl at the counter was extremely nice so I can't complain about her. She did say it was usually because I had written a bad check there before. I have never bounced a check so I know that was incorrect. It was during banking hours and my bank was a block away so I drove there and withdrew cash from my supposed "bad checking account" and then went back to pay for my purchase. It was so embarrassing. I usually only use my debit card but my bank has a $700 daily limit on it and I had already used it a few times today so I knew I could not charge the $680. The bank has offered to raise the limit but I actually feel more secure with it at $700 so if it were to be stolen that would be the maximum the thief could spend. This is my reasoning behind writing a check and for those saying "use your debit card" they obviously cannot afford to make large purchases otherwise they would know that most debit cards have a daily spending limit. I am planning on writing to the BBB and my states attorney. I too would be more than happy to file a class action law suit against them. I had never heard of them before and I even called my bank from Home Depot and they were going to verify the funds available but Home Depot would not accept that.

Oh, find someone to set it up and I, most cetainly, will sign it! My husband wrote a busines check at a local Cash America Pawn and the check was declined stated reason #2, which is what everyone else here is also discribing. I called Certegy and they asked all the information, said they check again and said they couldn't over ride the decision. This totally pissed me off so I called my bank; nothing wrong there and I called the company who prints up the checks; thinking perhaps there was a problems there.
My husband ran service calls; went BACK to that same pawn shop and presented the same check AGAIN; they ran it through and this time it was fine.
A week later, my husband goes to another of these pawn shops (they often have good deals on tools) and this purchase would have been $15. It was AGAIN declined by Certegy. Both Pawn shows commented that this machine was new. They had better get this corrected or there will INDEED be a law suite. We have been in business since 1979 and are not used to having our checks denied. There is something very wrong here.
Margaret Monteleone
Monteleone's Heating and Cooling

certegy are a pack of soulless, rude, arrogant bunch of bullies who get power trips when they make girls cry...
i was disgusted when i found out how these people spoke to my partner who is going through the toughest financial and medical situation of her life. she called them to see if she can organise a different strategy of payment to get on top of her debt and was put through to the most arogent person i have ever spoken too, i know what he sounds like becuase when i heard the story i called this man and told him what i thought of him. this person abused his power as a debt collect and outright bullied my girlfriend and threatened her with legal action when it wasnt even necessary and when she was crying on the phone to this man he said and i quote " oh you know what i change my mind.. you cant pay it off now, either return the good or pay the whole amount!.. "
when i heard how he treated my girlfriend i dont think i have ever been so angry in my life.. i understand that they have a job to do but there is no need for attitude and definitely no need to talk down to people and make them feel useless. this mans name is TIM and he works at the collections section of the Adelaide branch on certegy in australia, i cant not describe the disgust i feel for this persons actions. but on a brighter note a man called Angelo was very plesant to talk to and we resolved our problems in less then 5 mins.. i think this bully named TIM should learn how to deal with people like Angelo...

There was one day I had to get shampoo and pull-ups for my son, and I went to K-Mart, where I have shopped dozens of times, and NEVER had any issues. I wrote a check for $18.31 and was denied. I was so infuriated I left only to never return. I've heard so many horror stories of why people have been declined, it's ridiculous! There are plenty of good people out there, who are not about to commit check fraud, that get denied because of some fluke incident that has nothing to do with them, or even with the company at which they are writing their checks. Not everybody likes to carry around cash, and believe it or not, not everybody has a debit card. Most people any more are trying to eliminate their debt, but disgarding their credit cards and such. But not only have I had my checks denied because Certegy has a backwards approach to check verification, but I'm also into the business of handling merchant accounts for ACH processing and credit card processing. We are a rather small company and always make sure to put the merchant first and look out for their best interest. Certegy is one company that I would NEVER recommend to ANY of our merchants. There are plenty of services out there that are a million times better that Certegy, but because their name is more familar with the retail industry, they are used more often than not. For anybody that is interested, there are companies like TeleCheck or Geti (Global eTelecom) who have great pricing plans even for small ma & pa stores. They use similar methods to verify checks. But you also have to remember what it is that you are looking for. Whether it's processing the check through ACH (automated clearing house) or verifying that the account attached to the check actually has the money. But these above mentioned companies all provide the same services, but you don't get even remotely close to HALF the complaints as I've seen here today!

This too have occured when I decided to stop using credit cards. There is money in the bank but because there is not a strong check writing history, we are denied and it is EXTREMLY EMBARASSING! I mentioned to the manager at our local grocery store that I could go down the street the Hen House Markets and they would take my check. He decided to take my check and asked if Hen House uses a check verifiying system and I told him no, they tend to it in house and allow you to write a check.

I went to Wal-mart yesterday since it was payday. I went to cash my county issued check and Certigy denied me. I do not have bad credit although I guess it is not considered to be good either since I am only 17 and I don't own anything on my own. This was only my second pay check, and I have no checking accounts or anything of the sort. I just wanted my cash in hand and I became quite irrate at this Certigy company. They told me it was a Reason 3 code and that I may call to see why I was declined. I am definately going to do that once I am off work today.

Without going into great detail, I, too, had a check declined today at Dillards Dept. store by Certigy. I have the highest of credit ratings and have never had a check declined in my entire life (63 years). After over an hour of many phone calls, I had no satisfactory information. I was given 3 separate corporate headquarter phone numbers and each time when I got a person to answer and I explained that I would like to talk to someone in the executive dept. to straighten out this problem, they switched me back to the same check authorization people that I talked to from the Department store phone. Each time I asked for the phone # of corporate headquarters, I was given a different number and told that the headquarters (1st) were in St. Petersberg, (2nd) in Jacksonville and (3rd) in Tampa. In other words, something is "fishy" here and I am being given the "runaround"! Tomorrow I am going to take this problem to our private banker and see what they can find out! Citergy is mailing me a form to fill out that supposedly will put me on their VIP list to ease this problem. Frankly, at this point, I am hesitant to give them anymore information.

I suggest that it would be a good idea to contact the executive offices of the companies and stores that use Citergy's services and let them know that many people are having problems both with contacting Citergy and with declined checks for no reason that makes sense.

I also would be happy to join in a class action lawsuit. Sharon from SC

You know my mom had her purse stolen. Within 2 hours the people that stole her info had printed checks and written them all over the city. Its that easy and fast for fraud. I just say thank you and use a guaranteed form of payment. I make sure to always have a back up just in case some one doesn't me and doesn't trust the IOU that a check is.

Is it a real check? Are you showing a real ID? HMMM how do you think a computer is going to know the difference. My guess would be that they are getting fraud checks or nsf checks from there. State or not All you need is a account number to make a fake check. My guess also would be that the account number was given to hundreds of people when given a check. Are they all honest?

And this comment is to agree with Judy, towards people who feel that "check writing" is outdated...leave it be. Cash is also considered "outdated" but you're never going to stop people from using it, as long as money is in paper-form it will always be that way. Once everything is seriously on cards and in computer databases than in our pockets, THEN Mr. Whiner do you get the right to complain. Until then, people have the right to write checks and hold onto cash, for some of us it's our only option. What about individuals who have a job that gives you a check but does not offer a direct deposit? Though McDonalds does, I know plenty of people working for other companies that never got this right...they don't have a choice and must get their checks cashed immediately. And what about those of us that end up with bank accounts that steal money from your account without you doing any of these transactions? So you end up in the negatives and by having your check direct deposited or regularly deposited into a bank account it does nothing but possibly fix the negatives. And what does that leave you with? Less than what you originally had, and even more of that money is going to be stolen from you...

So here's my question for you up to date, above standards kind of folks...what the **** is your issue? If you have a problem with somebody writing a check, go to another line...or use a damn self-checkout (since everything else is outdated, these are a lot more common in most retailers than you, Mr. Whiner, might think). If you can't stand someone pulling out cash and exact change, whoopdie doo...not everyone can keep up with bank accounts or not everyone has one...and to say if you live in this time and place without having a bank account and that makes me below your standards, then sir you've got quite a problem.

Good day and I hope Certegy purges...

I find it very fascinating that Wal-Mart is now unable to cash my checks, as they have been able to for well into a year. Then, three months ago I go about my daily routine of grabbing my check at Midnight from my work then heading on down to Wal-Mart (the only known retailer that cashes checks at midnight, which is quite useful if it WORKS) to get it cashed. Ah it had been fun to walk in there then come out with a wad of cash, but there's a problem...I have been declined? It was odd because three other people from my store (I worked at McDonald's at the time) were in front of me doing the same exact thing: cashing their checks. And I didn't even give it a second thought that I'd be declined, as all of them walked out with money...so then I asked them to try running it again, and of course I get that little slip of paper telling me to call this business number.

I sit on that paper for about 1 and a half months, assuming that it would work the next 6 attempts. But I was unsuccessful, and I hadn't yet tried to do the day thing...well after my 6th attempt I called up Certegy, entered the check information that they required and I was hit with some bs about preventing check fraud by apparently matching check-writing activity? Of course they said they'd immediately contact Wal-Mart's retailers, so I went back into Wal-Mart, with some sense of confidence. Hey, maybe it was actually working this time...then declined twice again and I was about to give up on Wal-Mart right then and there...though I decided to call Certegy in the morning.

Now here's where things get funny, I call them up and I get your typical (though not to be stereotypical or racist) guy from India as a man who hasn't the slightest clue what he's talking about. He tells me the reason I've been declined is due to my license number (which I haven't seen in any of these complaints thus far) and I thought..."why?". Well I asked WHY and he said because the numbers didn't match in their system, that it was declined...which is complete BS because when Wal-Mart or a Gas Station writes my DLN on a check it's merely for security purposes, not the computer. I asked if they could fix it there at Certegy and they told me no, that it had to be fixed at Wal-Mart. The reason this is so funny is that yes I had an Alabama Driver's License and used it to cash my checks at Wal-Mart, then I got my Kentucky license...and it still worked. And that number hasn't changed, even though both numbers were different on the licenses it still worked. But I go along with the guy, I'm curteous and all that...go down to Wal-Mart the next week because I already cashed the check at my bank and the next thing I know, apparently nobody at midnight knows how to change the number in their system! Well that's funny, because when I even mentioned the issue they looked at me like they hadn't the slightest clue what I was talking about...as if they never had an issue with Certegy before.

You know I even tried a different Wal-Mart and it still didn't work like 3 times out of my various attempts? So I come back the next morning, to talk to somebody at the Money Center (even though I got the check cashed elsewhere just before I got there, because my checks work everywhere else EXCEPT Wal-Mart for some reason now...) and she ignorately states that she cannot do anything without me having a check. BULL! All she had to do was pull up my information in their system and change the numbers, but I played ball...got my check the NEXT week and this being the final time I used Wal-Mart for my check cashing purposes...

Day-time, sunny out and so far everything was good and dandy. I walk up to the person I normally talked to months ago when I got them cashed during the day, and I tell her about the issue. She starts pulling it up in the computer and then...she too? She hits me with this thing that if they don't get an option to Override the information, they can't change anything. So they tell me to call the company and that THEY'RE supposed to do it. I laugh...I walk out with my check and I start cracking up. HAVE YOU GOT TO BE ****ING KIDDING ME?! Are these people really this stupid, I've tried for three months now to cash my checks at your stores and still...all you can do is send me in circles with a damn peice of paper telling me to call a bogus company?! Why not do what the gas stations do that don't have a check reading device, simply write the number on the check and give me the money...it's not like I'm getting paid 500 dollars! The most I made was 230 per week, but no...no cash for you!

So I gave up, I'm done with Wal-Mart...and I wanted to try one last time tonight at midnight but I wanted to look up Certegy first. And here I am, reading these complaints about this bs company that can't do anything right. Everyone's absolutely right, this company needs to have lawsuits up the ying-yang and be erased from the face of the planet...if I got to go down to HeadQuarters I would but sadly, I don't make enough to waste my time instead of feeding my 2 sons and wife to go all the way up to their HQ.

Here's a list of what retailers I've seen mentioned thus far that use Certegy:

Wal-Mart
Target
Walgreens
Big Lots!
Home Depot
Piggily Wiggilys
K-Mart
Kroger

There are other smaller grocery stores that have this issue, but damn...look I get paychecks and my bank account is screwing me over, so I have to get it cashed instead...I don't have a CHOICE with checks. I need them cashed at midnight because I live week to week with checks, I have 2 babies and it's hard to feed them as well as keep them up with diapers ! I don't have extra money, I need the money as soon as possible and I want my midnight cash checking back! I'm tired of this!

WE've been getting the run-around from certegy since march 12th. we proved our bank NEVER denied a check from Kum and Go.. yet certegy just gives us the run-around. we 've faxed proof THREE times and all they say is "call us back in 5-7 days" they totally suck.. I'll never write a check where I see the Certegy logo EVER again. They are liars.

I recently tried to make a check purchase of around $28.00 from KMart. My check was declined. I was so upset. There were other people in the line and they were staring at me like I was a criminal. I was given an 800 number for a company called Certegy. I called and an automated system stated that I had an unpaid check out. I knew I didn't. I contacted my bank and was told that they had no idea where that information came from, but it was not accuate. I called Certegy again and started pushing buttons and was finally connected to a live person. I was informed that my file contained no derogatory information, but because I hadn't written a check in awhile that is the reason it was declined. She used this lame excuse that not only were they trying to protect the merchant from fraud but the customer too. I was informed that I needed to carry some other form of payment to back my purchases up for just such incidents. I normally pay with my debit card, but I received a new one and hadn't activated it yet. I don't carry cash. How can these companies dictate how often you can write a check or how much it can be written for? As long as you have the money to cover it, it's none of their business how we spend our hard-earned money. I know I'm not the only person that this happens too. Can something be done about this company?

I'm a small business owner of 11 years that needed to purchase a few items at Home Goods for a photo shoot for a client. I wanted to use a check so I could keep good accounting records and bill my client back. In addition, I wanted to give my company credit card a rest, and see about weaning my company away from credit, especially with everything that is going on with the economy.

So here I am at Home Goods with my 8 year old son, and I write a check for $176.41 from an account that has well over that amount. I waited, and waited and waited while the cashier tried to get my check to go through, and then she said sorry my check has been denied and here is this card which has the Certegy number you can call. I was furious and humiliated, and not to mention just beside myself because here I am with my son doing errands for my business. I bundled my son up in my car, went to my bank and proceeded to raise hell. How dare this happen when I have done nothing wrong, I was so mad I was shaking. So sitting down with my banker, we called Certegy, practically told them my life story, then was put on hold. When the man came back on the line, he started to talk then he actually hung up on us! This tactic has been done to me before and it made me all the more determined.

We called back again and were told that my information somenow fit the Certegy's Profile for fradualent checks and that's why my check was denied. "What profile?" I asked and I was told that this was private information and that they couldn't give this information out. But they could send me an information packet which I could then fill out so my checks "may not" be denied in the future. I demanded a list of companies that use Certegy services but was told that since there were thousands of business there was no way she could provide me with that list. What got me the most was that my banker just sat there and bascially shrugged her shoulders saying that there was nothing that they could do.

As I left there with my son, he's asking me what is a "profile", and I'm still shaking with angry when it hit me that Certegy was the same company that denied another check of mine from a different account. This one a private residential account that I used for my home remodeling, and that the check was denied while I was buying appliances at SEARS. They accepted one check for $5000 but turned another down for $4000. My favorite was overhearing the Sales Manager tell the employee to get me to open a Sears Charge. Which I then said very loudly, "No thanks. I don't want another credit card." At this time, I thought it was my banks fault because my check wasn't accepted, and I had my bank called. But my banker explained to me that Certegy was the company and the amount of checks I was writing and whatever else they had as their list of criteria was considered suspicious.

Well I'm through taking this humiliation sitting down. I'm willing to give them a fight. After reading all of these other stories I'm even more fired up than ever before. I have to wonder if I've been blackballed because I make a stink out of my checks being denied. I'm not only contacting my Congressperson, but I'm going to see about actually getting this Class Action Lawsuit in motion. I also think I'm going to go to every single one of these companies that use Certegy and document if they take my checks or not. My feeling is that at each store I'll be turned down. I refuse to sit here and let this bogus company get away with humiliating all of us. Because even though I knew I had the money in my account, , I still felt like a thief trying to pass a bad check. And here I was trying to do the right thing and spend money that wasn't based on credit!

Watch out because I'm going to find more people in my area and get something started that will have Certegy running for cover.

I am President of Franklin Bank, a small bank in central Illinois. I too have customers with significant balances whose checks have been declined. I frequent violator are Walgreens and Home Depot. I got no satisfaction from calling Walgreens, Home Depot or Certegy. I have now put a message on all customers bank statments to avoid doing business with Home Deport and Walgreen. I notified these companies of this and they have replied that they do not care. They have enough business without my customers. I will continue to ask customers to boycot companies that use Certegy.
KB

I agree with Judy on the above response. What's worse about this, this Whiner fellow (who posted above Judy) has 2 dollar logic.. he writes "Why are you wasting your time and breath trying to resurrect a form of payment that has been obsolete.. " hmm, if your standing in line paying for an item, in a store that supposedly uses electronic means for verification (Certigy), then it would make sense that you are following a legal, prescribed means of payment, that has been in the economic system as an approved method of payment for years.. But what this whiner person does is belittle the issue and attack a post with literally hundreds of similar complaints. And we wonder why America is falling behind... Whiner needs to Go watch Jerry Springer so you can he can be sure everyone on this thread is poor and mentaly challenged.. Nice whiner.. love the comment on the person writing a check for .47 cents to have it turned down. Next time be more complete in your sociological presumption and economic status of these people who complained against certigy.. If your thinking this way i can't image what Certigy is doing in their boardroom. pfft.. Read the comment on pg 1 by initial poster.. There is the "target" audience Certigy is pissing off..

I live in American and have the right to choose how I pay for items I buy and if you don't like that Mr. Whinner you can leave and go so where else to live. I stand up for my rights and so did the forefathers before me and that is what America is all about. The right to choose. Now you get real. Certegy just might deny your debit card as well, then you'll be back to whine. Who'll listen then?

Okay, it's 2009 ... Why are you wasting your time and breath trying to resurrect a form of payment that has been obsolete for decades when a debit card linked to that same checking account is so much more convenient and reliable, not to mention much more courteous towards the poor shoppers that have to wait behind you while you write your $0.47 check for a pack of gum only to have it turned down?

I have just sent the following to Walmart on their customer service websit. Everyone that has dealt with this ripoff company needs to do it also.
I had a very embarrassing and degrading experience at my local Wal-Mart yesterday. The store location doesn't matter in this complaint. I have shopped at Wal-mart since 1983 when I worked there about a year in a new store. The amount of money I have spent can not even be calculated. I have written checks, used my debit card and cash.
I received a State of Alabama child support check in the mail yesterday. For $740.08 As it was Saturday my bank was closed and I have heard Walmart cashes checks. I went to customer service and they said yes we will cash your check. Apparently Walmart uses a completely inept cash verification service called Certegy Check Services. They requested my Social Security number (uncool) and then said they couldn't cash the check. They gave me a piece of paper with all of Certegy's information. When I got home, I called Certegy and the reason was the transaction followed a pattern of fraud. Oh my God. I am your average middle aged white woman with no criminal history or background. I write checks all the time and do not have bounced checks. EVER> Do you think the State of Alabama child support agency is in the fraud business?
I then went on the internet and found the place on scam websites. They have lost you a lot of faithful customers and one of there representatives posted a comment about the low intelligence of anyone who would even shop at Walmart. They said the complaints were end of the day jokes. Keeping Certegy employees entertained. You and Certegy have insulted all types of people. Since you have now taken over the grocery store market and most people are forced to buy groceries at your stores, there is no telling how much revenue has been lost because of this company. If they think your customers are so low life and ignorant WHY would you do business with this company?
If you don’t want people writing checks or cashing them, then why don’t you just say so?
You should take a look at the complaint website for this company.
Most people are talking class action lawsuit. I will be the first in line. I will come in right after Walmart.
This isn’t an isolated incident. It happens every day in your store’s and anyone else’s that uses this company. You have had people standing in your checkout line and called these people on the spot and they say, sorry, we will fix it right now. The check gets run back through and walla, denied again.
Several people mentioned taking this to the news media and I think that is a very good idea.
How dare you treat faithful customers this way. I will not ever shop at Walmart again.
My intent yesterday was to buy a wedding ring set for $498.00. I will buy one at a jewelry store, because only ignorant people shop at Walmart, right?

Boy 'O' Boy here we go again. Brian from Michigan writing to also tell everyone one I have had two recent problems with Certegy. I had a little over $10, 000 in my checking account and needed a new Lawn Tractor. Decided to go to Home Depot after banking hours. Gathered some gardening supplies wrote my check and it was declined. I of course asked for the manager whom stated that there was noting he could do. I explained to him that over the past 5 years I had spent over $25, 000 at Home Depot and never had a problem before. A cocky and obviously naive you girl behind the counter whom was listening shouted out "You must have some bad checks outstanding". Insulted by this I comment by saying that I am a retired Police Officer and have never bounced or written a bad check in my life. I then told the manager he could keep everything as I pushed the cart in his direction and will NEVER shop there again. I also called the 800 number I was given and was told that I had written a check out of sequence and that was why it was being denied. I loudly laughed and told the service person "yes I voided a check due to an error in writing a check. She did not care and it was useless to discuss it with her further. I got over it after a few days and went o Petsmart a week to the day later and wrote a check for $275. It was declined and the clerk handed me a card with, you guessed it CERTEGY. I could not beleive it. I really beleive thhat if you call and complain they flag your account and basically BLACK BALL you. I called the 800 number again and requested a list of the businesses they deal with. They refused to supply me with the information. I intend to check into this further with my Congressman since we all have bailed out the banking industry. I had a problem with my Mortgage company and my local Congressman has an aide that handles banking problems. She did a Congressional Inquiry and the problem was magically fixed the next business day with managers tripping over themselves to help me. I understand that some of these companies have signed agreements and could be fined or have no further bailout money given to them. CALL YOUR LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER. I will be and I will be printing these complaints to take with me.
And by the way from reading these complaints I plan to boycot any store that deals with Certegy.

We have had numerous problems with Certegy as well. There is no company as good as TELECHECK ...so who is this Certgegy and why are they being allowed to take over America ? They are not helpful when you call. One time I called them as I was denied a check and they said because I had had checks stolen 15 years ago I couldn't write a check...OMG ! What is this ? AMERICA needs to speak out quick on this company !

Today is the second day that I have gone to Wal-mart to cash my payroll check and it was denied by this Certegy. Now, I have cashed my payroll checks from the same company that I work for at Wal-mart SEVEN times previously. None of my information or the companies information has changed yet this is the second time that I have driven all the way out to Wal-mart only to have my check denied for reason 2. I called them while at Wal-mart and the first time I was told that the reason it was denied was because the check showed signs of fraud which can happen with perfectly normal checks sometimes but unfortunately there is nothing they can do about it and I won't be able to cask my check there. The second time this happened I called again and the woman told me the same thing basically. That it was denied for security reasons because the numbers on the check didn't match up and there was nothing wrong with my information personally but there was nothing that could be done about it. The clerk at Wal-mart told me that this has been happening a lot lately and it's probably a glitch in the system but when I said this to the woman from Certegy she coldly told me that that wasn't the case and there was something wrong with the check. She had no sympathy at all. What is wrong with this system that it can deny a perfectly good check that it has cashed SEVEN times before?

I also am irritated with the arbitrary check decline done by Certegy based not on fact but on "check profile" and when I have a complaint, I want it addressed in a fair logical manner. The representative I spoke with at Certegy, indicated that she would be happy to send me an application to get approval for check writing! I don't plan to complete this intrusive requirement from a firm hired by businesses to check it's customers checks! Instead I intend to send a Registered Signed Return Receipt to the CEO of Certegy but, alas, that proves difficult because Certegy does not readily provide necessary information. I have discovered that it is part of Fidelity Information Services and I will copy paste this post to them. As I told the rep, I appreciate the fact this service is necessary but to simply reply, "Your check fits a fraud profile" is both insulting and most irritating given that I have a credit rating of just under 8 and I have been writing checks for nearly 45 years without incident! Their PROFILING system needs to be readdressed. Below is contact information I found for this business.

* 1.800.633.9454
* product.info@fnis.com

Listing Information
Name: Certegy Check Services
Address: St Petersburg FL
Telephone: [protected]
Website: http://www.certegy.com

I have recently had a check that I was going to cash on May 11th, 2009. however, it was denied? I got a Code 1? and was told by the customer service lady to call that number and someone at certegy would explain why? I immediately called and waited for at least ten mintues using up precious cell phone minutes until I had a rep come on the phone. She had asked me a series of questions and stated that there was no problem with my identity or id, or the check, but that they needed to have the check issuing company call them to give more information? I asked what information and she states that she could not give any further information? Now I know for a fact that Aflac is one of New York States Highest acting businesses financially, so I know that there was no problem with that check. And it was only for One Hundred dollars? The store I go to Bkwik in Buffalo, NY used to have a check verification service called telecheck, and they were no different. I could completely understand if a check from a certain bank or company had problems and would be looked closer at. But to just deny a check for basically no reason? And I still never got a comprehensive understanding of what a code 1 is. I definately think there should be a lawsuit for this type of treatment.

I too was declined by lowes I spent over 15, 000 buying cabinets etc. and then more items by check the next day and on the third day going in to by lumber I was declined because of my check writing habits. Well I called the bank and lowes got their money I have never bounced a check or anything like that. There has to be a class action law suite we can file against this company

I was also a victim of this I had 15, 000 in my account trying to purchase cabinets at Lowes via a checking account that I have had over 30 years and have never bounced a check. I called my bank first to make sure the money was available to pay them. Then went through the run around to get my check cashed. Five days later I went back to Lowes to purchase other items and went though the same one day later I went back to purchase some more items to finish my kitchen and my check was declined because the way I use my checking account. Can we file a class action suite? put me on your list
marcy_smile@yahoo.com and I will join it.

I was declined at an albertsons when I called I got a very nice customer care agent named Braxton. He did let me know it was a number pattern inside of the transaction. Maybe you people should learn checks havent been a guarenteed form of payment for over 20 years. They are pretty much an i.o.u. They are the easist form of identity theft. Certegy has been in business for over 40 years and they help prevent more then 80% of identity theft. Maybe you people should learn that info before you start talking bad. Goodbye
ps. DEBIT AND CHECKING TRANSACTIONS ARE DIFFERENT

Payroll check declined at Wal-mart thanks to Certegy. Have been using check cashing and money order services for months with no problems until yesterday. Given a slip with REASON 2 and a phone number to call, don't waste your time it is automated and you will not get the explanation you seek from the machine. Probably some arbitrary piece of software making the decisions IF/THEN=GO/NO GO. New Meijer just opened, looks like my business will be going to them.

I, too, experienced the same problem! I wrote a check in Belk's, a store I shop in VERY frequently, but my check was declined. When I called in to this Certegy company Belks said had made this decision, I had to call 3 times before reaching someone, and I was on hold a total of 179 minutes and 36 seconds! (I timed it on my cell phone.) I have never been so humiliated in my life! THEN, if THAT wasn't bad enough, I was told that the reason my check was declined was because I fit a 'fraudulent profile.' When I was shocked and asked for specifics, I was told this had nothing to do with me or my check writing history, but was based on other people who DID have fraudulent activity, and for some reason, my check was randomly flagged in the profile for that category. This Certegy company was not able to give me any specific reason that my check was flagged, and neither could they offer any explanation as to why my checks in the SAME story had NEVER had this issue before. This service is going to end up costing the merchants who use it more in the long run because they will lose customers. I, for one, will NEVER shop in Belks again! I really hate that because I love the store, but I refuse to be treated like a common criminal when I have done NOTHING wrong, and when I have been a loyal patron of Belk's for over 20 years. And in the future, any other store where I encounter this problem will be added to that list. I will not shop where this Certegy service is used.

To all of you that have become a victim. I reported Certegy to the FTC, BBB of Florida and the Attorney General. I spoke to many lawyers to take action agaisnt this company but it would cost me too much. I tried reporting them to Dateline and the local news papers but have not received any answers. I encourage anybody that has become a victim to do the same. The public will listen if there is enough of us that yell. The businesses will listen if there is enough of us that yell. There needs to be a Class Action Lawsuit but it will take us all to get one against this company. I encourage all of us as victims, tell the FTC, tell the BBB, tell your State Attorney General, tell your State Congressman and tell anybody that you think will listen, because there is power in numbers.

I just had the same thing happen to me at Dick's Sporting Goods! And, it was extremely embarrassing. I have never bounced a check in my life and have adequate funds in my account. (And, no I don't have multiple credit cards or bad credit!) I called Certegy for an more detailed explanation. They assured me there was no negative information on file for me but still didn't give me a valid reason for being declined. It also upset me that they asked for a lot personal information from me with out providing any significant information in return. The most they would say is there was not enough information and it was outside the check writing perimeters set by the store. What does that mean? It was a $28 check! While I left the store with the item I was purchasing by paying with my debit card, I intend to take the time to get the same thing at a different store just so I can return it to Dick's Sporting Goods. I plan to point out to them that they will not get my business again. They are the one's who lost the customer not Certegy!

I too was a victim of Certegy Check Services. I agree there needs to be a Class Action Lawsuit against this company. I have file a complaint against Certegy with the FTC. I have also obtain legal services. I wrote two different checks at two different establishments with two different checking accounts on two different days and both times I was declined. The first check it took my bank two hours and a bank manager to resolve, but one week later another check was declined from another bank. I spoke to the supervisor of Certegy and he told me that no matter what establishment I went to, if they used Certegy that my checks would be decline no matter how much funds I had. He also said that I could become a gold member and that might inable me to write checks without a decline. I found this web site and read all the complaints. I did not realize there were so many people with the same situation as me. This situation embarrassed me and cause me a lot of grief. I feel like I have been discriminated agaisnt and I have become distraught over this situation. I am hoping that something legally can be done regarding Certegy.

I too was a victim of Certegy's check acceptance policy. I attempted to write a check for $90 at Dick's Sporting Goods and was declined. I called the customer service line, and did not get what I thought was a logical reason. I went to my bank, and the manager of the bank called to find out where the problem was, and they refused to discuss my information with him. He explained that he could easily verify the funds for them, but they were not interested in hearing what he had to say. I was asked if I would like to become a Gold Member of Certegy. I agreed to have them send out the paper work, but after seeing how much information they wanted, decided not to apply. I figured this was a one time event and went on with my life. Two weeks later, I was at Target attempting to write a check for $106 and again, this same company declined my check. I just don't understand how this company is getting away with this sort of practice. Hard working, tax paying, bill paying Americans are trying to access their own money, and are being told they cannot. When will this stop?

I went to T J Maxx today, my total came to $398, I wrote a check and was denied, I advised the rep that I had well over 50K in my account and there is no way my check could decline for $398.. she then told me that the system could not read the numbers on my check, she proceeded to run my check through several times..the line was extremely long and I was sooo embarrased, I took my check and walk out of the store, this incident has given me so much anxiety, I don't ever want to take a risk of writing another check and being embarrassed again!

Today, April 24, 2009, I went to Murphy's Gas (the station linked with Walmart) to buy a carton of cigarettes for my husband. The cashier ran my check and told me in front of 5 other customers that my bank would not honor my check. I said "WHAT? You're mistaken. Run it again." She said she can only run them once. I said well I guess I'd pay with my debit but considering bank account it probably won't go through either. She told me my debit card doesn't go through them. So I paid by debit card. I went to my car and called my bank. they told me they have been getting alot of complaints for the same thing. She told me that my check should not have been declined. So I went back in and asked the girl for the phone number and the code that she gave me (a Code 20). I went back to my car and called the 800 number. After several minutes and an interrogation to obtain every piece of information possible about me, this is what I was told "Your check was declined because we put it through a risk model. Your check fit certain patterns that deal with identify theft and unauthorized use". So I ask "What are the patterns?" "Ma'am, I will re-read what I just explained." I told her she need to, she needed to tell me what "the patterns" were that made my check be declined. She couldn't tell me. I told her that I wanted a letter stating why my check was declined and it needed to be very specific. I aslo told her that I refuse to patronize Murphy's or Walmart because I will not be unduly humiliated again. Did I mention that my check number is ELEVEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY NINE? If I wrote bad checks that would be one thing, but I don't and I haven't. Honest people don't reach that high of number if they are writing fradulent checks. Banks won't keep them!

I was recently in a situation where I thought I lost my checkcard and immediately cancelled. I had to resort to writing checks for casback (I never use checks, only once per month for rent). I went to a local 7-11 and write a check for gas and was denied by Certegy Check Services. I was shocked. My check writing history is clean and being that I work for a software company which provides this information, I understood this does not seem right. Most companies use tele-check, which is accurate and legit. I recently applied for an apartment and my check writing history provided be tele-check returned clear. I'm working to resolve this issue and find more information.

Hello. today iwent to the dress barn. i wrote a check for $50.00. certegy declined my ckeck, I was told by certegy that I fit a certain profile, I have no bad check out, certegy refused to give me any information.., I am afraid certegy will declain any future checks. Please lets do a class action.

I went to Wal-Mart today, the mail didn't come until after the banks were closed, because it was the only place that everyone said that I could get it cashed. But, man were they wrong. I've had one hell of a day trying to get my check cashed. The cashier ran my check and I thought that she was going to cash it until a piece of paper came out from Certegy saying that it had been denied. Well I know that my check was good because it was from VIrginia College. It was $1, 550.00 and I know that if anybody had the money to cash it then it was Wal-Mart but anyway back to this little paper or reciept that came out, it said that it was declined and that I had to call the number on the paper in order to "maybe" override it and then they could go ahead cash it, but of course if it's going to happen to anyone it's me. And sure enough I had to call theis # to the Certegy Check Service to see what the problem was. Long stoty short they couldn't instead she told me that a pattern had shown up 2 or 3 times something about me having identity theft and then I flipped. I was so upset that I didn't get to talk to her much and plus I was in Wal-Mart, but I'm going to call them back and request my file. It says that I have 60 days to request it. All I know is that they have really stressed me out, I'm a very nervous person anyway and I just can't handle it if soemone had stolen my identity. When I explained it to the cashier, she said that it soulded like to her that someone had stolen it and had used it.
Oh! I just can't handle it so they better hope that it's not true at all.

K-Mart declined our check using Certegy. We called them, they said we were profiled and didnt pass. Plenty of money in the bank and HAD been shopping there for years. We intend to take stern legal action!

we need to start a class action suit against certegy for profiling. what they are doing cant be legal. If companies continue using them we should boycott them. we are really pissed.