FISGlobal.com / Certegy review: declined checks! 620

On 11/20/07 I also had the unfortunate and unresponsive encounter with Certegy! Attempting to cash a state unemployment insurance check it also was declined for reason: 2 at east side Wallmart in sioux falls SD where I do most of my shopping due to fact I don't have a checking account at this time and I was able to cash my check there for a small fee. The customer service rep was not helpful and uninformed he just raised his hands and said sorry, can't help you and handed me a piece of paper that stated,We cannot cash this check ect... I then called the number on it and could not get past the promt asking for my phone number. I strongly feel that Wallmart needs to get involved and FIX this problem not only for Wallmart but for those who shop and SPEND there MONEY at Wallmart if they had an employee costing them profits would they not terminate that relationship why not terminate Certegy!

I went into ToysRUs today, doing some Christmas shopping. I have over $3000 in the bank, yet my check of $131.72 was denied by Certegy! I, like all the others, got a piece of paper with a number to call. I got out of a very long line, truly embarrassed, and stood there as a manager was called over to take my purchase off the cashier's register and to make sure it was ok to hold my buggy until I could go to the credit union and get cash to pay for my items. I called the number and it was all automated. I got nowhere quickly. I did not go back to get my items merely because of the horrible traffic and the fact that my credit union was 30 minutes on the other side of town! I would have been at least a couple of hours wasted just to get my daughter a Dora TV! I looked up Certegy online and found this post. I have tried calling a couple of other numbers I found online and haven't got anywhere yet. I have no idea why they denied my check.

Whatever happens, I will not give them any more of my personal information. I have been with this new credit union for about 8 months, since I moved here. About 6 months ago I got a letter from Certegy saying that they wanted to inform me that they had an incident where one of their employees stole peoples information and sold it. And that they didn't want me to worry because they were working with authorities to get to the bottom of this, but that my name was on their list of stolen information and I was being given a free credit check to make sure someone isn't using my identity! Do not worry they said! Lucky for me, nothing has come up derogatory on my credit as of yet and my bank account that the information was related to, had been closed for a few months prior.

After all of this mess they have put me through, I will be on the lookout for stores that use certegy, and I will no longer shop with them at all. I will also be letting these stores know that I wont give them my money and the reason why. They should know who they are making their customers deal with!

I had a similar problem, I went to purchase some video games for my 14 year old son at a GAME STOP who now use Certegy, and my check was denied I was so embarrassed and felt so pathetic having to explain to my son what had happened, even though 2 hrs earlier I wrote a check at SHAWS for groceries and they also use Certegy and it was approved! what the heck is with this company? The kicker is these businesses that use Certegy know nothing about the company They just say um you can try calling this number I dont know what to tell you, NICE CUSTOMER SERVICE! By the way if you do actually get a customer service rep. they cant even tell you why it was denied they say I dont seem to be able to find a problem...

Three months ago my check was denied while I was at Best Buy purchasing a flat screen monitor. There was over $1000.00 was in my account. I couldn't get any help from the store manager except a phone number to call. I was embarrassed as was my wife and the poor girl waiting on us.

Best Buys loss $259.00, Wal-Marts gain $239.00, since we went there and bought it, guess what my check went right thru!
Last weekend I was at Target purchasing a new PS2 game, Guitar Hero 3 for my kids, and again this company denies my check again! Again, plenty of cash in the account, Targets loss $89.00, Radio Shacks gain, $89.00. I have had this account for over ten years and it is always been in great shape.

There needs to be a Class Action Suit brought against this company. The only worst then this company is the stores that uses them. So lets not only get a suit going against them, but lets also boycott the stores that use them!

As for Len, on another posting, that said "if you had money in your account why not just use your debit card", all I have to say is that I have a checking account because if I want to write a check I have earned the right to write a check whenever I want to and i shouldn't be put in a negative catagory because I don't write many checks! I bet Len wouldn't stand for a negative credit rating if he didn't deserve it! Wake up Len, and smell the coffee... this is the same thing, and this company is just simply WRONG!

Been reading your stories on line. You're right...embarrasing, frustrating and very scary that someone might have invaded your bank account. My story took a little different twist. 10:00 am today -wrote a check for $20.40 at Toys-R-Us. Came back declined. Clerk gave me the receipt and said I could call these people (Certegy) or talk to the manager. Spoke to the manager. He tried to run the check with the same result. Couldn't tell me why, but suggested I speak to my bank or Certegy. Went straight to the Bank. To my relief, I still had the thousands in my checking account I thought I had. I have credit scores in the 850s. And I pride myself on keeping an immaculate credit record. My banker and I called the 800 number. After asking many questions that I know I should not give out over the phone including my drivers license number, he asked if I knew a person whom I had never heard of. Supposedly she reported to them that I had sent her a bogus check. Then, he rechecked all my information including my driver's license number. He said I think I know what's wrong and put me on hold. He came back on the line 10 minutes later apoligizing for any inconvenience they caused me today but it appeared the Certgey employee who entered the data from the bogus check had transposed some numbers on the person's drivers license, and that mistaken transposition now matched my driver's license. He said he was in the process of correcting the error, but it would take three business days, and they would be sending me a letter when it was corrected. In the meantime, I'm afraid to write a check for fear it may be rejected too. Fortunately, my banker told me I could use my debit card. Then it dawned on me...that's what Certegy is helping these companies do; force us all to use debit cards so they can get their money faster. And they're leaving a lot of innocent victims in thier wake. I am going to write to the President of Toys R Us, Renz Nichols, the President of Certegy, Lee A. Kennedy, the President & CEO of Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) which is the parent company of Certegy, the Attorneys General of Florida (where Certegy and FIS are located), and my home state where the transaction today took place, the Federal Trade Commission which regulates consumer reporting agencies, and my Congressman. I don't know, maybe someone will listen.

A lot of people don't quite clearly understand how Certegy works. When a company uses Certegy, the check is out of their hands. If it is denied we are ONLY supposed to give you a little card with the reason code circled. If we don't have a reason code then we give you a different card. We are not allowed to tell you the reason the check is declined because we ARE NOT DEFINITE as to why. When could say "your check was declined because your I.D. doesn't meet the state's established guidelines for a valid ID" however then you would argue about how the ID is real. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ARGUE. The card avoids frustration and further delay and embarrassment.

The way Certegy determines whether or not to accept or decline the check is based on your check writing history. Little things like multiple checks in a day, writing a check for over the amount to get cash back, differentiating DL info.

When you want to cash a check:
1st. Don't complain...its a service that does not even have to exist.
2nd. If the company that owns the check doesn't pay for the check once its deposited, that company's checks declined in the future.
3rd. Your ID must match the information on the check PERIOD, if you change addresses the you must take the appropriate action at you DMV.
4th. Don't get mad at the employee, in every sense of the phrase, "we know just as much as you do". It is not our own check we are cashing, nor is it our job to obtain information as to why it was not accepted. It IS our job to help you contact Certegy by giving you their number. We cannot explain Certegy to you, we are not Certegy employees, and quite frankly not all employees like Certegy.

So, please I ENCOURAGE YOU , the next time your check is not accepted call Certegy and ask them about it, not us. They are jerks on the phone sometime, but the more specific information you give about the situation(ie. how much the order was for, how much the check was for, what was entered into the register(if avail.), date of transaction, have you written previously accepted checks, ect). Please don't blame your unfortunate event on the employee.

I am going through the same thing with this company right now. I wrote a check at Marshalls, a company I have written checks to repeatedly in the past. I have no history of bouncing checks whatsoever, but on this one occasion, Paypal accidentally transferred funds from my checking instead of my savings account, so that check got returned. I realized this right away, and things got corrected. I had Marshalls redeposit the check and it cleared my account immediately, and the return fee was waived. I thought this was a closed chapter. This happened the week of September 16, 2007.

About three weeks later, I wrote a check to Michaels, another store I frequently do business with (I am a teacher) I have written checks to this store many, many times, and am a very regular customer. I was declined. They tried it again, I was again declined. They gave me the number to Certegy, and I called them and was told they do not know why I was declined, that they have nothing in their records about me. So we tried again, still declined.

I ended up walking out and am now too embarrassed to go back.

A day or two later, about the 8th of October, I received a bill from Certegy for the amount of the returned Marshalls check and a 25.00 service fee tacked on. I have since called them repeatedly to inform them that this has been paid, sent them the proof on my bank's letterhead from my bank manager, and still, this morning when I attempted to write a check at yet another store I frequently do business with, I was declined. I called Certegy and demanded to speak to a manager, and was told that they still needed me to pay the 25.00 fee, even though Marshalls was paid directly by my bank to theirs, and waived the 25.00, and Certegy was never even needed to collect the debt. If I do not pay the 25.00, I will be red flagged forever.

I would go and pay this right now, but I am afraid it won't make a difference, and no one will direct me to a manager who will put it in writing that I will have my check writing privileges restored as soon as I pay them this 25.00.. which I do not feel I owe, but will pay if it gets things restored. I have thousands of dollars in my account,and a reputation to consider here. I do not know what to do next, and am seriously thinking of getting an attorney.

Humiliation and frustration...I could go on forever! I would like a list of every company that utilizes this "service". Do they not visit sites like this?

I have had two recent "run-ins" with Certegy Check Services". On both occasions, there was more than sufficient funds in the account. The main office of our bank called Staples in Holland, Michigan to ask why my check had been declined. Apparently it's policy and he could not over-ride the decision. The second experience was at TJ Maxx. On both occasions I called Certegy Check Services, worked my way through the endless prompts and finally spoke with a customer service representative...only to be read a very canned response. After voicing my humiliation and frustration, the only reason they could give me was that I don't frequent these retailers enough to have an established history. Isn't it sad that now I won't be returning at all. I have requested a written explanation for both incidences. The first being August 30, 2007...I'm still waiting. I find it very perplexing that businesses are apparently so busy that they don't mind Certegy turning away customers, prior to completing their transactions.

I am all for a lawsuit against Certegy. I have been using Wal-mart to cash checks and purchase merchandise. On September 21, 2007, I decided to use the new check cashing center located in Wal-mart, only to be asked several embarrassing question. The end result?... total embarrassment in front of several people in the store!..The clerk has the audacity to hand you an 800 number to call, and once you do, they aren't able to give you a straightforward answer as to why the check was declined in the first place. If these businesses don't wake up, they are going to lose lots of money, and if they continue to use this lousy company then they should lose money. Better research of the company they decide to use will result in better revenue...

How many of you live in California?

I had the same problem with Certegy at an Orchard Supply Hardware store. The big problem I have is that the store gave Certegy my bank account information without my permission.

I have been trying to get someone at OSH to realize what they are doing is illegal but have had no luck so far.

Email me if you live in California and had a store send your informaiont to Certegy. I am thinking about a lawsuit to stop this type of behavior.

I had the same experience as is being reported here at Best Buy yesterday afternoon. I also was told by Certegy that there is no negative history in my file. They also said that they could not share why it was declined because that may help those who are fraudulent check writers beat the "system". I have never been so humiliated in a store before. I too was offered to becoome a "VIP" member. Since when do we need to fill out information so that our checks can be accepted? What happened to past history determinng future results? I would be understanding if there was negative information as all merchants need to protect themselves, but to randomly refuse good customers due to a mysterious set of criteria is bad business practice. I will never shop in a Best Buy store again. I have also called their complaint line and was treated as if they did not care if they lost my business. I suggest that everyone with similar situations boycott the merchants who use certegy and send letters to the merchants explaining how they lost your business. Real numbers is the only way to get their attention.

I already wrote a complaint, but just want to make sure all of you poor souls have a proper number to reach a live person that works for Certegy. It didn't do me a lot of good, but at least she had to listen to a real live person complain about their sorry business ethics! The number for customer services is [protected]. So give em a holler.

I've never written a bad check in my life, 40 years, and all of a sudden I'm turned down when writing a check. I was so humiliated when trying to purchase a new tire at Northern Tire & Wheel. It was a lousy $118.00. I had over a thousand dollars in the account. Certegy denied me with a code 1, "usually prior unpaid checks" Bull S___. I gave the man my debit card and of course he had his money instantly. Duh, I told you there was money in the account.
When I finally was able to speak to a Certegy employee, I reluctly gave up information I know is wrong to share over the phone, So I could actually find out why. I was asked if I had recently closed an account. Yes, I actually changed banks and was only writing checks from the new account. Who the hell are these people who are dening checks for honest hard working people, with clean histories. I say yes file a suit, I'm in. I also suggest we each forward this web site to the companies that have denied us and let them know you will not be doing business with them as long as they are doing business with Certegy.

On Tuesday August 21, 2007, I went to purchase a gift card for $100.00 at Sears Department store in Moreno Valley, California. When I presented the cashier with the check, she informed me that it needed to be cleared. After giving the cashier the information needed; i.e. driver’s license number, date of birth, etc… my check was denied. When I ask why, she informed me that it was not Sears but Certegy Checking Agency who did not accept my check. I was given the check back with a number to call for further information. When I called, the representative informed me that they only had one check transaction on their files for $42 dollars and some cents and that the amount which I just wrote was too large and they suspect fraud to which I appreciated their concern. However, because my bank would not give out information on my account, they could not verify that I had ample amount of monies in my account to cover, my check was denied. The representative assure me that according to their records, I have not had any cancellations and am in good standing. The representative advised me to upgrade my status to "gold" by filling out an information slip. However, they assured me that this may not rectify the situation. It was also suggested that I use another method of payment to complete the transaction. I informed the representative that I prefer to use checking which will enable me to keep better records. I have used this type of transactions in the past and have had no problems. I informed the representative that I will be making another transaction the next day of the same measure. On Wednesday August 22, 2007 I went to Sears Department Store in Riverside, California to purchase the gift card for $100.00. Needless to say, the same thing took place as did when I attempted to purchase a gift card in Moreno Valley, California. I contacted Certegy Checking Agency the second time and spook to a supervisor; Mrs. Carry. She, as the representative did the day before, informed me that they suspect fraud and also because of the amount difference according to their records, was too great. She, like the representative, suggested that I “upgrade”. I informed Mrs. Carry that I have not filled out any information in the past with Certegy and I do not understand why I need to “upgrade” when this may not even take care of the situation.

I appreciate Certegy Checking Agency looking out for their merchants as well as for the consumer, however, I do not understand why do I need a history of check writing with consistent amounts of monies in order to be approved? In addition, why does Certegy Checking Agency continues to deny my check when all the information checks out; i.e. driver’s license number, date of birth, etc…In addition, why a I not able to speak to a representative when a cashier calls to verify that I am who I am?

August 18, 2008 Today my husband and I went to the local Home Depot to purchase a few items for a job he is doing. We wrote a check for a $166.08. The customer my husband was working for was going to pay us back right away for the amount and we figured a check was the best way to go. Well, I guess we were wrong! Our check was declined! On the cash register it said they used Scan, I was not given an 800 # but called Scan when I got home. Scan had nothing, didn't see anything that would hold up our check so I called Home Depot and asked what company they were using for their check services. I was given an 800 # and called and found out if was Certegy. The recording says they have nothing to tell us other than they have information from a third party regarding our situation and can not elaborate more than that. My husband and I have had bad credit in the past but have worked very hard to get it cleaned up. I have not written a check in a long time and the first time I do I am declined. This was very embarrassing!

Certegy class action filed:

Girard Gibbs LLP Announces Class Action Lawsuit Against Certegy

The law firm of Girard Gibbs LLP (www.girardgibbs.com) has filed a class action complaint on behalf of approximately 8.5 million consumers nationwide whose financial and personal data was stolen by an employee of Certegy Check Services, Inc. and Fidelity National Information Services, Inc (NYSE:FIS) and released to unauthorized third parties. The complaint alleges that a senior database administrator misappropriated the confidential information of millions of consumers and then sold the data to direct marketing firms and data brokers who may have resold it to others.

"Certegy and FIS had a duty to safeguard the confidential data of consumers from any breach, including that of their employees. Once the internal breach became known, it should have been communicated to the public in a timely and adequate manner," said Eric Gibbs, one of the attorneys for the plaintiff. "The failure by these companies to make the internal data breach immediately known exposed consumers to direct marketing campaigns and the risk of unauthorized use of their bank accounts and identity theft."

The case was brought by a Los Angeles, California resident who, prior to the public announcement by Certegy and FIS of the data breach, started noticing an influx of direct marketing and promotional offers as well as phone calls to his home. After subsequently receiving a letter from Certegy informing him that his personal data may have been compromised by one of its employees, the plaintiff engaged a credit monitoring service.

Certegy and FIS merged in January of 2006. Certegy provides check-verification services to major U.S. retailers such as Wal-Mart, Sears, Bed Bath&Beyond and Amazon.com. Due to the nature of the services provided by Certegy and FIS, and their undisclosed role in financial transactions, consumers do not choose to use the services of these companies but rather are forced to do so.

The complaint alleges that Certegy and FIS failed to implement and maintain adequate security measures to protect consumers' confidential financial and personal information. Their failure to properly monitor and supervise their employee subjected consumers to risk of data theft and other fraudulent actions.

The class action lawsuit was filed in federal district court for the Central District of California on August 14, 2007. It asserts claims of negligence, invasion of privacy and breach of implied contract.

Girard Gibbs LLP is one of the nation's leading firms in prosecuting class actions and other lawsuits involving consumer fraud. For more information about this case, please contact Girard Gibbs LLP toll-free at [protected] or through our website www.girardgibbs.com.

My 90-year old mother has been writing checks at the local Acme supermarket (now owned by Albertson's) since I was a tot--say, 45 years or so. She has no trouble writing checks anywhere else, but now since Acme started using Certegy her checks are being rejected at least 50% of the time. It's terribly embarrassing for her; she's very proud of never having bounced a check in her life, and doesn't have a credit card. There are always ample funds in her account. Supposedly they "elevated" her record today; we'll see what happens.

As she told them at Acme, she doesn't have to shop there. She can walk into her other supermarket and write a check any time.

I agree, a class action suit should be filed against Certegy. I don't know why the Federal Trade Commission isn't looking in to the practices of this company. The Federal Gov't wants consumers to spend money, but they allow a company like Certegy to stop consumers from spending when they have money in the bank.

I was making on two separate occasions purchases from Verizon Wireless and CompUSA for the company I work for which no doubt has money in the bank. Wrote a check to Verizon Wireless and CompUSA (maximum $3,000) and was declined by Certegy. The retailers using the Certegy Company do not realize how much it hurts them with repeat business when a customer has been embarrassed or humiliated for no reason. Why would they want to return after that. How can a company have so much power to restrict consumers from making purchases when they have the money in the bank thats what gets me.

I also am a victim of Certegy. I was declined by 2 different retailers in the past 3 weeks. The first was a local shoe store ( Shoe Carnival) I was given a small piece of paper with a code 2 on it. I called them and a lady told me my information with them was incomplete and I would have to fill out an application to be able to write checks that use their service. I told her no way I was going to jump through hoops to write a check to anyone. I was so embarrassed when I walked out of there paper in hand. Today I tried to write a check at Walgreens. I have been writing checks at this store since they opened 4 years ago. Never had a problem until today. I was furious by now since this was the 2nd time this has happened. I talked to a VERY rude man. He told me that code 11 meant that checks have been written with similar characteristics to mine that were fraudulent. I asked him what that had to do with my checks. He said that my checks could have some of the same numbers in the routing number, account number, the check number or even my signature. I told him that was very lame and he was going to have to do better than that. I said so if I write another check with a different check number then they will accept it right? He got angry and said that is not what he said. I told him that by his reasons then 8 out of every 10 checks would be declined. I told him this was totally unacceptable and to come up with something better than that or I would have to contact our attorney. He said well good luck with any attorney. I asked to speak to someone over him and was left on hold for over 15 minutes.

The manager of Walgreens was not any better and looked at me like I was a thief. He said he would have to demand another form of payment I told him nope that he just lost a very good customer. My check was only for 86 bucks.
If there is a lawsuit or any e mails that need to be sent to anyone person please let me know I am there.

I have also had problems with Certegy. My check was declined as I attempted to check out at an adult book store (you may or may not agree with the concept, but I am an adult of legal age). The clerk gave me a dirty look like I was a pathetic loser, and gave me a slip of paper with Certegy's 800 number. When I called I listened to the prompts, bounced around, and eventually was informed that I had a returned check from a nearby riverboat casino for 1000.00. Now I didn't believe this for a minute, my checks always clear. I asked the woman the check number and date, and it did match up. So I asked if I could pay for it over the phone, she said it had already cleared the bank on redeposit, and next they were sending the returned check fee through of 40.00. I never gave them authorization to run a returned check fee through my account! I said that checks are usually deposited twice, so if my check cleared on the second deposit I shouldn't be liable for the returned check fee. She said that a returned check is one presented more than once, that the fee couldn't be waived, and that I would have to wait 7 days until I could write another check. I work hard for a living so I can play hard too. One thing is for certain, this porno-hound won't write another check from here on out. I will only use my debit card. Take that, Jerk-E-Gy.

I also received a letter of the third and fourth parties and I live in California. I'm pissed did anyone notice that they didn't give the date of the incident, its probably been going on for a long time. Certegy is covering their ###. There should be some type of lawsuit that can be filed on this my credit has accts on it i have never seen, I was put on check system and my bnk acct always had me over drawn until i just closed the accts because the bank wasn't understanding their was something wrong with te acct.

I'm really messed up. Any suggestions?

I would like to send a plea to all those affiliated with companies using Certegy's "services." Something is not right, here. As one of the millions who received word that her personal and checking account information had been "misappropriated" by Certegy (even though I haven't written a check to a retailer in... 5+ years), I do NOT feel safe doing business with any merchant in any way related to Certegy.

I am just a single individual that is interested in gathering some names for a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against CERTEGY check services. If you received a letter from Certegy concerning the ID THEFT/FRAUD and are interested in pursuing legal action, then contact me BY WAY OF A REPLY TO THIS INFORMATION BOARD and we can discuss ways to pursue this avenue.

Companies that harvest your personal information without your consent should be stopped!

Certegy is an utter disaster... but in my case it was for accepting fictions checks, written to a fictitious account with a real bank routing #. All a criminal needs is a fake license and real routing # and a fake account on a check. I'm my case they accepted checks, Certegy that is, from all major retailers, without checking acct #s. They are a joke! I have a better Idea... lets quite writing checks all together.

Yes, Amazon uses Certegy for debit cards and electronic checks. This is not disclosed until Certegy declines authorizing your transaction - it is then up to you to deal with Certegy to convince them to allow your transaction to go through. Who is Certegy? I am an Amazon customer, and should be dealing with Amazon... not some company that I don't have a relationship with... The issue got worse when I called Certegy and they said, "your transaction matched our computer model and was denied. There are no exceptions" Meet the wall! No remedy. Just, sorry... We won't take your check (even if it is good).

I don't think they are suing the companies the employee sold the information to. They are suing the employee. I doubt they'll recover any money. You should be able to get free credit monitoring from Certegy. What are your damages? How much money have you lost due to identity theft?

Certegy has had a lot of problems lately. I just got a letter stating that my checking account information was sold to third party companies by a Certegy employee. There should really be a lawsuit for this. I was also declined by Certegy when attempting to write a check a few months ago and I know there were no bad checks on my account and I had plenty of money in my account. It was payday for Pete's sake. I just thought that some of you would like to know to continue to avoid Certegy because your bank information could be floating out there somewhere. If there is a lawsuit for this, you bet I will be there. This is ridiculous. We trust these people to take care of our information and while they can't control their employees ever minute; they should have to pay when someone steps out of line like this. Besides, they are suing the companies the employee sold the information to. We are the injured parties here. We need justice.

I was at K-mart today to drop off a prescription. it was going to take awhile for them to fill it so, i went to the photo center (same store) to pick up some photos. The cashier kept making a big deal about how many I had and about how expensive they were. most people only spend about $15-$30 while i was spending $100. Thinking nothing of it i told her that I was picking up photos for my daughter and my husband. I wrote a check no problem. When my prescription was ready I wrote a check for $15 that was when the pharmacist told me my check had been declined and gave me the name and number for certegy. I have tried to call them 3 different times only to get some automated system! I shop at K-mart all the time household items, photography needs as well as prescriptions there has never been a problem with my checks. It makes me wonder if this is not a way for retailers to force people to only use credit cards or debit cards.

I also had a very poor experience. I had left my debit card / credit card in another purse and was desperate to get a dress before the store closed and we flew out the next morning to DC. I asked the Polo outlet store before even browsing if they accepted checks - "yes" they responded. Went to purchase a $250 dress and my check was denied by Code 2 - it was TERRIBLY embarrassing. I called home and got my account number from the debit card - and OF COURSE it went right through because there was more than amble funds! Spoke with the bank first thing Monday morning - there was no history of bounced checking writing, insufficient funds or poor credit... hmm not sure what was going on, but I won't be writing checks every again and will be writing a letter of complaint to both the store and the company.

You may wish to forward this on to your friends so they are aware of what can happen when you have your check scanned at a business.

On 5-7, I wrote a check for $61.32 to the gas station where I buy gas every week. The girl scanned my check and said it would not go through, possibly because of the check number since she knew me. I wrote another check and it went through.

When my statement came, I had two deductions for $61.32. I went to the bank and they stopped one. I immediately sent a letter to the home office of the company along with my statement copy explaining what had happened. I was sent to collection.

In the meantime, I am denied at two businesses in Peoria, one after having all of my merchandise bagged up and a long line of people behind me. I was given a card with the name Certegy on it. After creeping out of the stores, embarrassed and without my merchandise, I called the number on the card. They were not nice. I tried telling the lady what happened but she would not listen and wanted $61.32 plus $25 bad check fee. I went back to my bank. My bank sent them a letter and I sent letters certified mail which someone signed for including my statements etc. A lady from the home office of the gas station told me she would fix this when I called her and sent her my statement for proof. Yesterday, I received a second notice to pay $61.32 plus $25 from Certegy. I made copies of everything last night and sent letters to the State's Attorney's Office asking for guidance and assistance. I also sent Certegy, the home office of the gas station, and my bank copies of everything again along with copies of the letter to the State's Attorney. In the meantime, I can not write checks. This is damaging, embarrassing, and some business in Florida should not be allowed to do this to people. I have found blogs on the net where others are also hurt. I refuse to pay twice. What if my check had been for hundreds or thousands? Beware when they scan your check! My choice in business dealings has certainly changed. This company can screw up your life and it is impossible to get them to listen.

E Huffman

We are victims of Certegy also. What can we do? And a comment to the earlier posting by "In Your Face" - not everyone uses credit cards, our credit union does not have debit cards and it is out of town from where we live, so checks are our only way of purchasing. We will join with any who want to file a class action suit. Contact me please.

I had to deal with Certegy over a check that bounced, which I paid. Certegy took it upon themselves to do an electronic check against my account for the amount already paid. The explanation's I've received is that my payment crossed with the Electronic check they issued against my account and today I was told I should have followed the instructions in letter they sent me. The letter gives an address to mail cashier checks to cover the bad checks.

Today I was told the reason the money was taken from my account again is because of the Code used the day they processed my payment in their system, which cannot be over ridden. So now I have to wait another week for my refund.

Now I am over paid and having a hard time getting my money back from them. One day they tell me the money will be wired back into my account, the next I'm told they don't do that. The only way they will refund my money sooner than what their system allows, is to have my bank write them a letter stating “We are confirming that the following check numbers and amounts will not be taken back or reclaimed from the bank.” There is nothing to reclaim... they OWE me my overpayment.

There's more but there isn't enough room to note everything. This company is very difficult to do business with. The right hand doesn't seem to know what the left hand is doing. I've filed a complaint with the FTC and Fla. Attorney General hoping they will investigate Certegy's books and what I feel are unethical methods.

I am very distressed over the situation due to the conflicting stories I get regarding the status of my refund from their representatives.

Something has to be done to this company. They have NO right treating people this way.

I HATE Certegy! Been getting the run around from them for almost three years now. I can't write checks at certain places and it's embarrassing! I never know when or where to write a check.

Three years ago I went to Target and was declined by Certegy. I called the 1-800 number given to me and was told it was due to a 'returned check'. I figured it could have been my now-ex-husband as we were going through a bitter divorce but my credit union had no record of a returned check. Either way, I thought 'screw it, just pay the stupid fee' since it was only like $35 dollars. Nothing big and $35 just seemed to be a minor payment in having the FREEDOM of writing checks whenever you pleased (I mean, this IS America, right?) I emailed Certegy Reps back and forth about the payment, Nicole Malucci was one of them. It was going to get taken care of, they'll have it cleared out, my check writing status would be great, and I wouldn't have to go through the embarrassment of getting declined again, yada, yada, yada. She took my information, said she'd research it, debt my account the $35 fee, and my check writing status would be in good standing.

After a few months I started writing checks at Walmart, Sam's, HEB with no problem so I figured all was well. Then I went to Babies R Us and I got declined. It was SO embarrassing. I called Certegy again but couldn't get any information. I called my credit union and the fee was NOT deducted from my account, so NOT ACTION had ever been taken from Certegy's side of things. It's crap. If I'm willing to overlook THEIR mistake and just pay the damn fee they claim I owe, just to be done with it, they why can't they fix their system so I can write checks again? Three years later and I'm still scarred to write checks at certain places. Nothing is more embarrassing than getting declined when you know full well you have the fund to cover it and that you've never written a bad check. HEB, Walmart, Sam's, my daycare provider, my rent, my insurance payments, all those things still accept my checks and have NEVER given me a problem. It's just certain stores and Certegy's unwillingness to fix what they messed up.

If there is lawsuit against them... Let me know! I still have the email correspondence between me and their reps supposedly getting things 'cleared up'.

>> 16 days ago by In Your Face [send email]

I have a couple suggestions for you guys, STOP USING CHECKS! So obsolete, if you get declined who cares they wont do anything for you, use a credit card if it declines use another one you know you have more then 1. Better then that use the "cash".

I'm another victim of the "Big Brother" Certegy. I have NEVER had a returned check and have been with the same bank for 15 years. You can relate to the embarrassment and panic when the Best Buy clerk in Little Rock said my check was not accepted! I thought I had been a victim of identity theft, the clerk gave me an 800 number of the fine folks at Certegy. After the rig-a-ma-role with their automated system, I was informed that businesses they serve offer check cashing as a "courtesy" and they can decline anyone they want. I called again the next day, and got basically the same story, but this guy did tell me he noticed the bank wouldn't verify funds. He wanted me to fill out a "gold certificate" which I have yet to see. That Friday, while attempting to buy something at the Home Depot in Little Rock, the same thing happens, and I got the same song and dance from Certegy again. What can be done to stop these people from running rough over the American consumer?

My $50 check was denied at a Big Lots Store on Thursday for reason code 2. I have had the same checking account for 20 years and have written numerous checks at Big Lots. I spoke with a person at Certegy who could not provide a good explanation as to why the check was refused. I plan to file a complaint with the FTC.

I was buying a game at eb games the other day and got declined when i wrote my check. Lucky for me i had enough cash on hand to cover the purchase though it did ruin my night at the movies seeing how i just lost my debit card. Anyway i got the number for certegy and called them and found out the reason for the check being declined was that i had bought a computer for 1200 dollars a couple weeks earlier and they said the check had been returned. Well i called my bank and they said that the check was paid. The money had been taken out of my account! Well i called certegy back and told them this and they said they would call my bank and verify. I called back to make sure they had and they told me they did but the matter could not be resolved and that i was banned from making purchases from any store that uses certegy. I am not being sued for the money i already paid(because they know i'm right) but you have no idea how hard it is to find stores that don't use certegy. Damn this company. If there is ever a lawsuit i am all over it. My advice... Don't shop where certegy is used. Maybe the consumer does not have much say but when the companies start losing money i bet they wake up a little. Mom and pop shops could use the business anyway.

Apparently, Certegy denied me from cashing my paycheck on 5/19/07 just because I recently changed employers. I tried to cash it at Safeway grocery store and was denied again. I was told to have my current employer call Certegy so that more employer information could be disclosed to Certegy which could possibly allow for the check to be approved. I called my employer up and my manager was a bit offended by this process and thus I didn't press the issue further for my manager to call up Certegy. As a result, I ended up cashing this paycheck at a check cashing store and paying a higher service fee than WalMart or Safeway. I even ended up missing a day of work because of this because the job I have requires me to be at a certain place at a certain time regardless of what my excuses are for not doing so.