FISGlobal.com / Certegy review: declined checks! 620

I think we should all get together and file a class action suite against This company. What is happening with this company is not only crazy it a cause of real concern is this company is telling other company who's checks to cash who's not to cash based on a check profile. And as we all know that can change over night. I just retired and have been writing a lot of check because I am paying off a lot of bills but also because I have been enjoying my retirement. with vacations and spending a little extra on the grandchildren. I am very up set about what happened to me and now I see to many others. This must be addressed before it goes to far. And I agree we need to stop shopping at store that use this service.

I have had the same experience that many of you have had. I took the situation to the Better Business Bureau (I filed an online complaint) and we are in the process of having this resolved. PLEASE! E-mail complaints to the BBB and also to the headquarters of the stores you were shopping at. With enough complaints they have to listen. This is also what the person I spoke with at K-Mart headquarters told me. I know they followed up with my complaint because I received a call from the Manager at the K-Mart I had shopped at asking about my recent shopping experience. I wrote a check for $65 and it was declined for no apparent reason - there was sufficient funds, etc. This company is discriminating against those of us who write checks and have good histories. I have switched to a debit card for fear of the embarrassment that comes from having a check returned in front of my family and a store full of customers.

There is a class action lawsuit against Certegy because one of their own employees sold the records for approximately 8.5 million of the consumer files. This happened in June 2007. WE MUST ACT!
There should be no need to give them our personal information when banks already have it!

Again, e-mail complaints to the Better Business Bureau and call or e-mail the stores you shopped at. Make sure you ask for a higher up - don't settle for a customer rep or a manager. Tell them you have a complaint and don't take no for an answer. If someone takes your information, write down their name, the basis of the conversation, the date and time of your call. You need to follow up on and when they see that you are seriously taking down this information and keeping a log, they'll listen.

I am hoping that this will lead to action - one that we'll all approve of!

Good luck!

I was recently a victom of certegy at TILLYS RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA CALIFORNIA .I have a credit score
above 800 .This was very embarrassing. I have three kids and they love this store.NOT ANY MORE...I will never shop ther again!

I too had the same thing happen to me at a walmart store, a couple of us got off from work late night around 9pm so we went to walmart to cash a check, two of them went through but mines did not. The cashier gave me a sheet of paper with a reason code 2. I do have bad credit but have no checking account, so why did I get a reason code 2 and is their any way to go around the code 2.

I just tried to buy a couch at Big Lots and was turned down due to a code 2.(according to the card, not enough information on the account) What a crock! I have way too much money in this account and to say that they don't have enough info on the account? This is CRAP! I will not do any business with any company that uses this Certegy to process checks!

It is at least comforting to know there are plenty of others out there like me. I have used a commercial paper checking account for over 5-years from a AAA credit-rated company. I have never had a check problem and have even written checks over $20, 000. This is my first encounter with Certegy: While at Superior Honda in Cinncinnati, OH I got over $800 in repairs and maintenance done. I spent about an hour in the waiting service office waiting for someone to try and help after the Certegy machine didn't accept the check. Then, finally calling, I got the "not enough information" declined notice. So what can I do about that? I hate to shoot the messenger, but I am seriously considering not going back to the service station I have used for years, felling that they should be at least somewhat responsible for selecting a check verification service that works.

I had a similar problem with Cerdian a while back. The asked for a check for $.o1 to go through a clearing process. It worked. Does Certegy have a similar service? I call their [protected] number and promptly get transferred to oblivion (hung up on) each time.

Count me in if there is any action, even though I don't think the odds are good of winning.

2008 Aug 12

I have a complaint against Certegy and Kmart # 7308. I went into Kmart this afternoon, spent hour and half shopping for my four children's school supplies and basic necessities. The total came to: $227.94. I was declined by Certegy and Kmart. I was completely humiliated! I had valid ID(s): my current state driver's license (same as on my check), even my military ID and my badge. This was not good enough for either company.

Keep in mind, I just spent $229.46 on 2008 July 16 at the same Kmart. I paid by check and was never declined. So why now is my check not good enough?

I called Certegy while I was in Kmart this afternoon. I had to go through a long automated process before I could even speak with an agent. I was finally able to speak with Kayla, an agent at Certegy. She stated Certegy does not show any negative files against me, which she further said she did not show any bad check writing or fraud (that's because I PAY for everything, I am legit!) but she could not help me. I asked her about her manager and she further went into stating the company literally can not take back their decision at this moment in time! I demanded a letter from Certegy with their decision to be sent to my home so I can file a complaint with Certegy and Kmart. Kayla stated she would send it. She apologized for her company's decision! Kmart's manager would not over-ride the Certegy decision even with all of my identification.

Both companies wanted me to pay via credit or cash. My spouse and I refuse to use credit cards, we pay by check or cash. I was appalled both would suggest such AFTER they humiliated me. As if I would continue my business with them, as if I would leave Kmart, drive all the way to the nearest bank (miles & miles away), drive back to Kmart and pay for all of the items. Ridiculous, have they been paying for gasoline lately?

I am furious! My check was good in July (just last month) but not now? Why?

I assure you, I will tell EVERYONE about my experience with both companies. We do not live in a huge city. In fact, Kmart was nearly dead due to people only shopping at Walmart or Target in our area. Kmart, a company going under due to loss of profits, and they turn good, hard earned money away.

I will NEVER buy from Kmart again, period. I am not finished with this Certegy situation either. I can not be the only one humilitated by this company. Any consumers who have equal or similiar experiences should unite against Certegy.

Thank you for allowing me to vent. -Mrs. Ledbetter

I received a letter from Certegy's in July of 2007 stating that an employee had stolen my personal data and sold it for money to brokers and merchants. I feel that Certegy's should pay for personal, emontionally, problems. Well, the Personal Checking Account number that the letter was sent to me on was a little to late. I had gone through almost 6 personal checking accounts, because merchants were actual withdrawaling money from my personal checking accounts even when I had changed to a new account. There is a Class Action Suit going on that had to be filed by July 31, 2008, but I had so much paper work and proof that not only did that employee get into all my personal checking accounts, but, also I could not write any checks at all, they would not let me when I tried. The biggest thing is that I paid all my credit cards including, Pay Pal, TJ Max, and many others, on line, that they tampered with them also. Too make this short, I was trying to get my credit score back up to a good rating, so I had high paying percentage credit cards, which what they said to me was they could not give me a new credit card until the old one was paid off. FAIR, not at all, did my bank help me catch the merchants, NO, I caught most of them. But, my credit cards are all canceled and due to the fact that I told them that someone stoled my personal data, and they would not give me a new personal account number. So, because someone did get into some of the credit cards, I told them that I was not going to pay them until they sent me new ones. But, they didn't, only a few did, but they all charged me late fee chargers, over the limit fee chargers, because they did not believe that I my personal data was stolen. Then in January of 2008, I was actual robbed, at a Mall in MA., filed a police report, they stole all my personal data, credit cards, license, social security number, and my gold chains around my neck, my wedding ring, and gold bracelet. What luck? But, by that time I had closed my Personal Checking Account with my Bank due to the withdrawals without my permission. Now, the Insurance Company will not pay the claim on my wedding ring because they did not believe that I had all my personal data stolen and my credit is totally ruined. But, will Certegy's pay anything for all the mental, and emontionally abuse that I have gone through with all my accounts, NO. So, I didn't file for the class action suit, but now I am going to call them, I have it ready all I have to do is mail it.
Go figure it doesn't matter what you say, if they think that you are personal damaged by any of this, they won't pay you a dime. Now, I will try to file the Class Action Suit if they will take it, it was due July 31, 2008. I am getting a lawyer for the theft in January of 2008. I was called a lier at the so call hearing with the Lawyer from the Insurance Company. January I was robbed they pulled my credit bureau accounts and asked me why I owed my accounts and I told them. They lawyer when the clerk left the room under quitely said to me I stole my own jewelry. Never made a calm in 31 years with the Insurance Company and because of the Certegy's thing I am a liar. Good Luck to everyone who had there data stolen, and good luck trying to get a job, my field is Information Technology and that's how I caught most of them. Take it from me they and nobody else cares, know being a personal that would never sue any company for making me feel like they did, and having problems getting a job due to poor credit. Best of Luck to all, please check you credit bureau and get copies, I also had a Fraud alert.

jmya wrote:
"I am the owner of a small business in Florida and use Certegy and have for years. You are all uneducated idiots! First of all, you are not Certegy’s customer, the merchants you are shopping with use this service to prevent fraud, and bad checks. 40 years of statistical data are used along with current info such as check usage, frequency, and amounts to determine the risk involved with accepting a check. "

you have got to be kidding!

Why do you think that a business has the right to sent account numbers to Certegy? Especially when you know that Certegy will keep the information in their database forever.

I have started a blog about the privacy of bank account informaiton in California. if anyone is interested please email me.

This is amazing- I had the exact same thing happen to me. Certegy sent me a letter informing me that I owed money for a service WILD WEST that I have never heard of. I informed them we did not have anything to do with that company, and I would like more information about WILD WEST. They just sent me an Affidavit for Fraud letter, stating I needed to have my bank account information, passwords to my accounts, routing #s, a voided check, a voided deposit slip, a copy of my DL, my SS#, and a Notary signature. It also explained that if I did NOT return this within 7 days with ALL of the required documentation, they would put me on the bad credit list, and I would not be able to write checks with any of there client companies.
I refuse to send my entire personal information to a company that I have never heard of, for something that I have never purchased.
Frankly, it is quite disturbing, because I do not know who to contact.

dave

I went to a Walmart in Columbia SC on Killian Road to cash a state issued check. I had cashed checks at Walmart before without any problems. The check was for $326.00 and it was declined with a print out of reason code 2 i called the number on the print out which was [protected]. After a few moments i was connected to a live operator who asked for my DL # and the number on the state check. She put me on hold for about 5 minutes and then got back on the line and said that she couldn't find the transaction number anywhere in her system. Then she had the nerves to ask me to hold on a little longer. She then got back on the phone after a few more minutes and said she didn't know why it was declined and i said well it says reason code #2 and she said that' s just a generic code and that she had no record of the declined transaction she said that it may be a glitch in the system and that i should go back to Walmart and try it again and then told me that if it was still being declined that there might be some check cashing places in the area. I respectfully told her i wanted to cash my check at Walmart because I had cashed it there several times and that I had never had and isssue and that it was after hours. There was no reasonable explaination that she could give me for the decline other than some type of glitch. I am dissapointed and discussed and now i will not be purchasing my item from Walmart because of this inccident.

I have been shopping at K-Mart for 40 years and my parents even longer. You check cashing system in 10 years has denied me twice and I will never ever shop with you again or my family and thier families and friends. We are senior and were totally emabarrased and have to drive 20 miles to shop with gas prices and had to leave our purchases. Why? All because we moved to a new city and you Check Service did not accept our new address. What on earth?

How dare thry do something like this when we have credit cards ID everything and never have had a problem or late paying anything. And to top it off the "Hispanic Manager" who could barely speak English shoved the check into my wifes hands and said call the number on the back and turned away and helped someone else!

We are humilated and my wife needed her pharmacy items.

If this blocks us from using his checking account we will get a lawyer..

Also there was no person to talk to on the 800 and K-mart says I have to deal with this company.

It is K-Marts responsibility for using this service which is horrible.

this is all they asked for then told me that my information did not match.

Eunice and Robert Mellinkoiff

Today I was turned down why buying $776.94 worth of parts for my company with a company check. The parts store told me it was a code 2 decline and that there was nothing wrong with my account; the system just didn't like my check. They also said that if I wanted more information, that I would have to call Cetergy. I paid with a credit card and left the store. Next I called my bank to find out what was going on; they told me that I had plenty of money to cover the amount. When I called Cetergy the explanation I got was, "it was the luck of the draw”;"we don't see anything wrong with your account or history, the system just didn't like that check". The person even went so far as to say, “if you go back in an hour the check will probably clear". I called the store back to explain, but I'm sure they didn't believe me. Had it not been for complaint boards like this I would have thought this were an isolated incident.

I tried to cash my stimulas check at walmart and was told they cannot cash my check, that my name and ss number was a mis-match and was based on information provided by Certegy Check Services, I was given the number to call and and an address to request what was in my Certegy file, Certegy Check Services at [protected] or PO Box 30046, Tampa Fl [protected]. My purse was stolen over 4 years ago and I keep my credit reports checked on through the three credit report companies and have not had them report any such thing as this. I am disputing the file as they (Certegy) have it inaccurate. How did this company get started and how do they get all of information?

I had a checkbook stolen over a year ago and sent in all the information and the affidavit they wanted. Now a year later they are asking for the same information again. And 2 new accounts later and I still can not write a check anywhere that uses electronic verification. This company is terrible and should not be able to control how we spend OUR money.

I STRONGLY urge ALL victims of abuse from Certegy Check Services to contact the Florida Middle District Attorney General, Mr. Robert E. O'Neill, at the address on the letter shown below. This is the district where Certegy is located.

You are welcome to use my letter as a draft and just substitute you name, place of occurence and details.

Simply posting your bad experience on this site or others like it will do nothing! You HAVE to go further!

Mr. Robert E. O’Neill
Attorney General State Of Florida
Middle District
400 North Tampa St. Suite 3200
Tampa, FL. 33602

Dear Mr. O’Neill,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. I am writing to you personally to advise you of questionable activities by a large, risk management corporation in your district DBA “Certegy Check Services” Their mailing address is: PO Box 30046, Tampa, FL.[protected].

This company now has numerous complaints regarding their unscrupulous practice of denying personal and business checks, for absolutely no reason, from customers doing business at the various corporations they represent. This is an insult and embarrassing to say the least, as well as a major inconvenience. There has to be some sort of regulation against this.

I am one of the hundreds of victims of this scurrilous practice by Certegy. As just one example, I made a meager, $39.87 purchase from a Certegy account, Home Depot, and my check was denied, even though I had a balance of over $2, 000.00 in the account, and a perfect check writing and credit history.

The “reason” from Certegy for their action was “the reason was not a negative one such as overdraft, insufficient funds etc, your check just fit a pattern and was therefore denied” or, wording very close to this.

At which point do the rights of the citizens of the US become compromised to satisfy the corporate sector? I urge you to please look into this further and kindly reply to this letter.

With Best Regards,

Martin E. Fox

Little Rock, Arkansas

I am a fomer employee who took calls at a call center for certegy. I read from a script why check were declined. No one not even the manager knows why check are being declined. Some people i know well has $15 dollars in the bank will be decline for say at a walgreens trying to buy medecine. It is sad because five minutes later i'll take a call from someone declined at a best buy. In this case this individual hasn't written a check until two day ago within the last thirteen months. This person has wrote over $3000.oo for checks to Staples, Circuit City, and Best Buy. This is obviously fraud. The fraudent case is just as common as a an 81 year old lady geeting declined for no reason. I'm under the impression that Certegy allows fraudulent activity to keep merchants, to have info to show them that they are needed to help prevent losses for the merchants. The truth is innocent individuals who have money in the bank are being robbed from the right to use a form of payment. Merchants shouldn't accept checks at all, rather than embarrisng customer with this flawed system. I worked there for a year and have serveral case similar to this. I feel that a class action suit should be brought against this Gustapo like company.

I am the owner of a small business in Florida and use Certegy and have for years. You are all uneducated idiots! First of all, you are not Certegy’s customer, the merchants you are shopping with use this service to prevent fraud, and bad checks. 40 years of statistical data are used along with current info such as check usage, frequency, and amounts to determine the risk involved with accepting a check. The 1-800 # given works (if the merchant gives you the correct #). While on hold it explains who Certegy is and explains some reasons why you might have been declined. A “person” always answers as long as you don’t press a bunch of buttons. A reason is always given, but most are not happy with it. Banks do not allow the verifying of funds so; a check is just a worthless piece of paper until it is processed by the bank and the Fed. Company’s not in the habit of accepting fraudulent or bad checks use Certegy and other similar companies. Also these checks are warranted. Once a check is approved, it is warranted, meaning the merchants are getting paid for the check as long as it is approved first. It is to the best interest of the merchant to use services such as Certegy. The more fraudulent and or NSF checks processed by a company that does not use a check warranty company, the more YOU the consumer will ultimately pay for your goods and services. The small percentage of check writters that are declined for the reason of risk, and are upset about it really has no affect on the millions of warranted checks that are approved, and warranted daily!

unlike most of you, I DID bounce an online check. it is the first check i have bounced in 10 years and it was for $4.30. what is interesting about my case is that CERTEGY wants me to pay them $58.00 to clear this up because they say they paid the check. however, when i call the merchant i've been using for 3 years (godaddy.com), they say the check was never paid and i lost a service that i use because of it.

so, one of these companies is lying or they are both lying.

furthermore, godaddy.com gave my personal information to CERTEGY. the check agreement does not say godaddy.com will share my personal information.

i'm going to sue. myself. any judge and jury will see that my privacy is being invaded and that i'm being denied my right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ...

On July 3, 2008, my check for $239 was denied at a Target store per CERTEGY! WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?! My first thought was that someone had somehow stolen my DL# or, giving them a little leeway, maybe it was a typo when entering someone else's driver's license #. I have shopped at Target stores since our local ones were built many years ago and have a long history of writing checks -- none of which was ever returned! I'm 64, retired and, along with my husband, have lived and shopped in this area for over 30 years. We have been told by businesses, including credit card companies, that we have excellent credit and are constantly sought after to open new accounts based on our good credit. Even a car dealership made a comment about the high rating of my credit! But, fortunately, at Target on July 3, I was able to use my ATM bank card to cover the purchase, which obviously was accepted. BofA has our accounts and they recently rewarded me with a free account because of our good standing. Certegy's printout says I have 60 days to respond and get a free copy of my consumer report from them by writing to PO Box 30046, Tampa FL [protected] and/or calling [protected]. I plan to do both. If I get the run-around or no response at all, I will turn this over to a local TV station that resolves problems the average person can't fix. I will also give the Target I patronized, on July 3, a chance to rectify this problem. In the meantime, I WILL stop shopping at any business that I find uses Certegy beginning with Target -- if they don't fix this. If Certegy is picking on me, I can only guess how many other patrons Target must be insulting, confusing and losing on a daily basis!

I have also been contacted by mail from Certegy Check Services claiming that they are trying to collect for 2 bounced check. These checks are from a bank that we have never had a checking account with or any other dealings. They wanted me to fill out an identity affidavit including my Social Security number and Drivers license number. I will not send this information out to a completely unknown entity. Now they are calling daily on our phone trying to get information. With identity theft on the rise, I will not submit any personal information. Also, as the gentleman above, I just want them to go away and leave my credit alone.

Helen Johnson

I agree completely, I had the same problem with Certegy at Lowe's store. My check was declined because it fit a profile pattern. I am contacted Lowe's to voice my displeasure. I would encourage someone to look at a class action suit.

I wrote a check for 32.27 at a Home Depot on 4/11/07 and was told by the clerk that my check was rejected because it wasn't a valid account at BOA and I hadn't sufficient funds to cover the amount. I contacted BOA and was told that my account and balance were in good standing! Went back to Home Depot and was given a number at Certergy to call. Then begins the fun!? The Rep. at Certergy tells me that my check had been rejected due to me writing insufficent fund checks for a number of months. My drivers license information had been linked as a person who was commiting check fraud. I was told I would have to receive a affidavit in a week. Return it notorized with all the necessary info to lift the hold on my account with Bank of America (?). I am banned from writing any checks until I take care of all the returned checks due to insufficent funds. I was confused to who I owed all this money to. In the meantime I'm in constant touch with my bank and they also know nothing of my account being banned. I waited almost two weeks for this so called affidavit and never received anything. Finally, I called Certergy to question about all the legal paperwork I was told to wait for. I gave them my name, address, License info, to get an undate on this matter and told them I hadn't received anything. I was told they had no knowledge of no checks being denied, no hold on my checking account, no affidavit mail-outs. They had no explaination, no apology, nothing. Its terrible when a company has reckless power and at will, can cause financial havoc.

Oh my goodness I thought that I was the only person to experience this embararrasment by a merchant. To be more peyrefitte Jewel Osco and Walgreens have caused me great embarrassment due to declined checks. When it happened at Jewels I immediately called customer service at Certegy only to be told there was no reason why I should have been declined and to go back and try it again because she (customer rep.) had taken care of it, once again I turned around and went back into Jewels only to be declined again what shame it is to be standing in line and the cashier who for some reason is not talking in the moderately low tone voice as usual but loudly "it was declined ms". Walgreens excepted my check one day and the following month they declined me how could that be I mean the last check DID NOT BOUNCE so how are they allowed to continue to humiliate hard working taxpayers this way. Its sad when one company can embarrass so many from different cities, towns and states.

wow, this just happened to me. Yesterday I wrote a check to Marshall's and had to wait for twenty minutes for the clerk to wait on phone for approval! Today it happened at Restoration Hadware and then a second time at Walgreen's. This is a huge problem. How can we find out what stores use this horrible system and boycott? I'm still speechless.

JUST GOT BACK FROM WAL-MART, TRIED TO CASH A "STIMULOUS CHECK"BUT WAS DENIED BY CERTEGY CHECK STILL FURIOUS DUE TO THE EMBARESSMENT THIS CAUSED.

I was actually given an expense check by a bank and went to cash it in WalMark along with another check from the treasury and Certegy declined the bank check! I could not believe it. A bank check of all things. I called them up and they said it was due to the check profile. I told them that there must be some mistake as this check was from a bank to me not from someone else and that seemed to confuse the lady. All she could say was sorry but there was nothing she could do and perhaps I should find a branch of the bank that gave me the check and cash it there. I was mortified. I told my VP of the bank and he could not believe it either and said it was ridiculous. Someone needs to look into this.
They should not be able to get away with this.

Yesterday (May 19, 2008), Certegy declined both my 86-year-old mother's perfectly valid credit card *and* my also-perfectly-valid check, causing a major embarrassment, a long delay, and resulting in several people who were waiting to be checked out walking out of the (Big Lots) store in disgust. I very nearly did the same, leaving $85 in purchases behind. But the *#&$^ system finally accepted *my* credit card. When I called today to find out why this had occurred, I was informed by an automoton of a customer service rep that Certegy declines any card or check that hasn't been used at one of their merchants in the past year. (?!) Exactly how one is supposed to get around this little Catch-22 was not explained. But I can promise that I will not be shopping at Big Lots or any other merchant serviced by Certegy ever again. This was absolutely inexcusable!

I went to K-Mart today and wrote a check and was declined by Certegy. I was humiliated and felt like a fool in a line of customers. I wasn't declinded for "bad check writing", in fact I have no record of any bounced checks with any check verification companies. The automated system at Certegy stated it had something to do with my check writing pattern and that it was for my protection. REALLY? COME ON! I called back and spoke with a live operator and all she wanted to do was send me a brochure on how I can elevate my check writing abilities with them. WHAT? I write at checks at Kmart at least once a month. I have also written them at TJ Maxx and Marshalls and other places that use Certegy and have NEVER had this problem. My bank is in awe that I'd be declined for this absurdity. I was told by Certegy to use a debit card. Well, guess what? I don't always like to use it and most times it's because I've left it at home. I should be able to pay for something in any manner I please. How dare Certegy dictate what I can and can not do. How can they get away with this?

We went to By LowHere in Beaufort S.C. To Shop and I wrote a check for $ 159.00 and they told me they couldn't except my check. We have Lived here most of our life. and this has never happen to us before. It was very imbarrassing. Here I was a 75 year old lady with all these people looking on it was and experience that I have never had happen to us before. They have me the Card and told me to call them if I had any Question about it. I gave them my credit card and they took it. I will never Shop at that store again. This happen last week and i have not been able to get this out of my mind, It was very hartful.
Thank you for lessoning.
Mrs A.P King
Frances

Cetegy CEO

I think someone should be liable now, especially Cetegy. They knew a lot things they were doing was wrong. I don't care who tells me what, if its wrong I'm not going to do it or have no parts of it. They should pay now, just like they took some money from me, Now, that day. I don't know the position they put everyone in, but I know they did me bad. Its just wrong.
They have sent letters to me asking if i want free monitoring for 2 years from cetegy. i don't know if that was suppose to be funny, but I see no Humor in that. Although I do want the free monitering, but not by Cetegy.
I'd appreciate whatever lawyers that are on this case would contact me asap.

Thank You
Vanessa Choice

I got notified some time last year that an employee from Certegy had stolen personal and financial information and that my information may have been part of it from when I cashed a check at a Casino in Lake Tahoe. I had never heard of them before. I just got a letter about a settlement that was reached that will provide me with two years of bank monitoring and reimbursement for identity theft up to $2o, 000 and certain out-of-pockedt expenses. Nice employees. Now I have to worry about who they sold my information to. The company thinks it was to other marketing companies, but who knows. I sure hope the employee is sitting in jail somewhere.

Certegy has interrupted my life in many ways. I pay my bills at the beginning of the month. All my bills, and there are alot. Depending on who gets their payment first or last is a result of "declined" payment and I have to deal with returned checks and fees, bank fees and torment. I am not allowed to write checks to some of the places because of returned checks that had been declined. I have plenty of money in my account. For sure enough to pay my bills. This is ridiculous! They don't allow us to spend OUR money when we need it! I also do alot of online shopping. Ebay and such. I had paypal. Paypal sent me several notices that a "third party" has attempted to access my account! I don't or didn't keep track of all monies in my account.And when I didn't have enough in my paypal account, it would come straight out of my back account. I have been stolen from in too many ways! I have now closed all paypal and online accounts. (ie bill pay) I now only use my bank debit card to pay my bills and I only put the amount I am paying in the account. I will not keep my money in the bank. Cash is best for me. Certegy can kiss my ###.

I just had the same problem with Certegy. Went to get a new cell phone for my husband. Wrote a check. Certegy denied it. I have excellent credit, never bounced any checks always make payments ontime. I was so embarrassed. Guess I better get a debt card.

Thanks to this web site. I am not quite as upset to know Im not the only one this has happened to. Teresa Funkhouser.

I too am having a problem with Certegy. The only way to deal with companies like this is to file a class action lawsuit. They are bigger than the individual consumer and we are at their mercy. It's unfair that they have the right the hold us & our money hostage because of their unfair business practices. Companies should stop using them for check approvals.

Certegy is nothing but a playground bully in the marketplace. They will deny a check and offer up no explanation and a rather empty "sorry". I was stung by them and at Macy's there was no recourse, no remediation, and the 800 number was a joke. The 800 number is using verrrrry slooooow speeeech recognition for its menus. Once I got through the geek's playtoy of a menu I never got to speak with a person. This is a company being run by a group who just started shaving last week and in a couple of years will get their driver licenses. I cannot fathom that a mature adult would put together such a porrly conceived and implemented system as this. If you get caught in their vise, all I can say is "good luck". I have stopped going to businesses who use Certegy for check cashing. When I am insulted by their use of Certegy I inform the business of my anger with them and Certegy and my refusal to give them any more of my business. If enough of us do this as well as paying tuition to the university in pennies since they will not accept a check with statements to the effect that Certegy is the reason, maybe business will put the clamps on Certegy and its infantile mentality. I am actively boycotting all businesses that I know use their services and I look here to keep my list up to date as to which ones are affiliated with this lousy company.

Yesterday I tried to write a check for 532.32 at a local Best Buy. Over the years, I have written quite a few checks here, for amounts both large AND small. Unfortunately, yesterday the exact same thing that has happened to you all happened to me. I was declined, because an automated system had a bug up it's rear and decided that I wasn't me! Even though the sales clerk had my photo I.D. IN HIS HAND! But because the almighty computers at Certegy told him to, I was denied.
The worst part is not that I was denied, nor is it the humiliation I suffered, but the fact that somewhere out there sits a computer that is allowed to decided what my spending habits should and should not be. I would be interested in any class action suits that arise from this.

Looking at this situation, Old' Adolf would be so proud...

I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU ARE REPORTED TO CERTEGY AND CAN'T WRITE CHECKS CAN YOU STILL USE YOUR DEBIT CARD WITHOUT BEING DENIED?

We just did an equifax report because of some problems in the past. Certegy is the first one on the list. I googled them and found this site. Apparantly the report says it is a returned check from Saks INC. Which neither of us has ever been to. There is no amount anywhere stating what the check amount was or anything and there is hardly any information on it period. We don't even know how to go about this. Maybe someone could help?