ChexSystems is a credit reporting service used by banks to weigh the risks of accepting new customers. According to bankrate, 80 percent of all banks and credit unions use the service, which is offered by a company called eFunds. If someone is on the ChexSystems list, which is regularly updated with the latest information from other banks, a bank can see the reasons why. It might be because the person bounced a check, intentionally or by accident. Or the person might have outstanding unpaid fees. Or he or she may have lied on their application.

In many cases, it’s possible to contact ChexSystems and request a copy of your listing, if you have been denied a checking count in the past 60 days. Telescan is a similar service and you can do the same for its list. It isn’t convenient or easy, but if you do not have a track record of outright fraud, it is possible to pay outstanding bank charges, and then these reporting bureaus will note that fact as part of your record.

Some banks will not accept you as a customer as long as you remain on the ChexSystems or Telescan report. Others may offer you a checking account with higher fees.

Steps for Working with ChexSystems

1. Get your report by mail or on on the web at chexhelp.com. Call ChexSystems at (800) 428-9623 or (800) 513-7125 or send a written request to:ChexSystems Customer Service
   12005 Ford Road, Suite 600
   Dallas, TX 75234-7253
   Fax: (972) 241-4772
   Local (972) 280-8585
2. If you see anything in your report that you believe is inaccurate and you wish to dispute, write a letter asking ChexSystems to verify the information contained in your report. You should also ask for copies of the backing documentation the company may have relating to the disputed listing. And don’t be shy about requesting to have the information deleted from your file.
3. Keep copies of everything you send, and consider sending them by certified mail. ChexSystems should respond within 30 days, but if they don’t you can report that fact to the Federal Trade Commision.
4. If anything is accurate in the report, but actionable on your part, such as paying off outstanding obligations, then take action to clear up the listings. Then document the change and send the information to ChexSystems.
5. If you discover that you are a victim of identity fraud, because what you see in your report has no bearing on anything you have done, then file a police report.
6. Stay in contact and send follow letters as needed to ensure that ChexSystems is actively pursuing changes to your file. And if you succeed in expunging your record, open a checking account right away.