All About ChexSystems?

Checking and savings account trouble histories are among the information collected by ChexSystems, a banking reporting service. The agency keeps a record of your previous financial transactions to help decide whether or not to grant you a new checking or savings account.

To what end does one obtain a ChexSystems report? ChexSystems monitors your bank and credit union deposit accounts and compiles a report detailing your account history, including any closed accounts and why. S

ome potential contents of your ChexSystems report include the following: Forced account termination, Payroll overages and check bounces, Negative sums that are still owed money, Misuse of a banking account, bank card, or automated teller machine, Problems with identity theft or fraud

Quantity of recent account applications

When you apply for a new checking or savings account, the financial institution will look into your ChexSystems report. The bank might reject you for an account if it sees in your report information that makes you a high-risk client.

Some financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, are willing to give people a second opportunity by opening bank accounts. These alternative accounts may be a good option for those who have had trouble opening a traditional bank account due to negative information on their ChexSystems report.

Overdraft protection, paper checks, and direct deposit may not be available to you with a second chance bank account, and there may be fees associated with using the account One further option is to apply for a prepaid debit card, which can only be used with funds that have already been placed onto the card.

Instructions for Requesting a Copie of Your ChexSystems Report

A consumer is entitled to one free copy of their ChexSystems report each calendar year under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You can also request a free copy if you have been turned down for a checking or savings account within the last 60 days.

Remember that if you've been turned down for a bank account, the institution in question is legally obligated to tell you why. By obtaining a form from this website and faxing it to the number (602) 659-2197, Request forms can be downloaded here and mailed to ChexSystems Inc., Consumer Relations, 7805 Hudson Road, Suite 100, Woodbury, MN 55125.

The quickest way to get your report is to request it online or over the phone; if the agency accepts your request, you should have it mailed to you within five business days.

Methods for Improving Your ChexSystems Score

You can begin searching for errors as soon as you receive your report in the mail. In most cases, legitimate information stays on your report for five years, making it difficult to open a bank account. However, there may be ways to improve your ChexSystems score depending on the specifics of your circumstance.

If outstanding debts are listed on your credit report, such as an overdrawn checking account, you should settle those obligations as soon as feasible. It's possible that you could reach a settlement that reduces your debt.

Once you have paid off the debt, you can ask the financial institution or collection agency that initially reported it to ChexSystems to delete or update the entry. Instead, you can ask for a receipt and amend your record by sending it to the bureau yourself.

There is a dispute process available through ChexSystems if you identify errors on your report. Don't forget to include any relevant paperwork in your submission. It may take up to 30 days for the agency to investigate your dispute and remove the incorrect information if it confirms your allegations.

Is There an Effect on Your Credit Score From a ChexSystems Report?

There is zero correlation between the information in your ChexSystems report and your FICO score. However, if you have a black mark on your ChexSystems report and were turned down for a checking or savings account, it could indicate earlier troubles that may have affected your credit history.

A debt collection agency may also opt to submit a collection account to national credit bureaus if it receives a negative balance from a checking account that has been turned over to the agency.

Credit reports should be checked frequently if you are worried about your financial standing. Experian's credit monitoring service is for you if you want to keep an eye on your credit without spending a dime.

Even though it won't affect your ability to open a bank account, keeping tabs on your credit will give you an idea of where you stand and what you can do to better your score.