I'm not able to write checks at stores??? What can I do ?

[Dana09]

Hi,

 

I'm not able to write checks at my grocery store, pharmacy, clothing stores etc. I've tried and they give me a number to call so I call and nobody can tell me anything. I remember a long time ago (about 10-11 yrs ago) I had a check bounce so I'm assuming that's why I'm barred from writing checks. I don't remember where I wrote it, for how much, if I took care of it etc. When I called the number for SCAN that the store gave me to inquire about this, they couldn't find anything on me, but the lady I taled to said if I bounced a check and didn't pay for it, it stays in their system forever. Well, if they can't tell me where I wrote it or how much it is....how am I suppose to take care of it? If I do owe, I'd like to get it taken care of, does anyone have any suggestions what I should do now?

 

Thanks!

Dana

[encoder]

Honestly?

 

Use a credit card. Alternatively, a Check Card.

 

There are countless benefits for either over writing checks.

 

There is a forum here dedicated to ChexSystems, which could walk you thru the steps of getting a copy of your reports and maybe cleaning them. But in my experience, they're very unsavory companies and I've learned to avoid it entirely.

[beli]

Have you also tried Chexsystems & Telecheck? They also keep records of Checks.

 

Chexsystems is 5yrs not sure how long Telecheck is.

Edited November 19, 2009 by beli

[creditcardnoob]

It would benefit you greatly to use a check card (if you're opposed to credit cards). It's the same thing as a check except as a card. Maybe if you can tell us why you prefer checks over check cards, we can find a misunderstanding and correct it for you

[jtoast]

I had that happen to me several years ago. I went back to the store, asked them to run my check through again. I then asked for the manager, called the number and put the rep on speakerphone and let the manager and the rep sort it out.

 

In my case it was their scanner. When they started digging into it, they discovered the account number being transmitted didn't match the number on my checking account. It wasn't reading one of the numbers in the middle for some reason. When they entered the number manually, it cleared.

 

With that said, please quit writing checks. I really hate being behind check writers when I'm waiting to check out. It's so damn annoying

Edited November 19, 2009 by jtoast

[pryan67]

I would WRITE to the CRA (SCAN in your case) and ask for a copy of your file...as well as writing to them regarding their refusal to approve your checks...

 

if they're using data from that long ago...there's a good chance they're in violation of FCRA (but then again, it's possible that they're not)

[TheBanker]

I'm with the majority of people here who suggest using your check card. Checks are outdated and old, and check cards have much better benefits - plus, depending on the bank, they may even have rewards.

[GEORGE]

Hi,

 

I'm not able to write checks at my grocery store, pharmacy, clothing stores etc. I've tried and they give me a number to call so I call and nobody can tell me anything. I remember a long time ago (about 10-11 yrs ago) I had a check bounce so I'm assuming that's why I'm barred from writing checks. I don't remember where I wrote it, for how much, if I took care of it etc. When I called the number for SCAN that the store gave me to inquire about this, they couldn't find anything on me, but the lady I taled to said if I bounced a check and didn't pay for it, it stays in their system forever. Well, if they can't tell me where I wrote it or how much it is....how am I suppose to take care of it? If I do owe, I'd like to get it taken care of, does anyone have any suggestions what I should do now?

 

Thanks!

Dana

Other than writing paper checks at a store to pay the credit card bill (WALMART/SEARS/JC PENNEYS)...I have not written a paper check in 10 or 15 years (maybe 20 years)

 

Have SCAN send you a letter stating that you have no issues

 

Demand they fix THEIR issue with the system

Edited November 19, 2009 by GEORGE

[2fast]

Scan is most probably getting the data from NCN and or Telechek databases, neither of which they have any control over. Scan is provifding the check service for the stores but most probably isn't the company with the bad check record. When the check was rejected the termianl should have told the cashier the reporting company and a phone # for them.

On a side note, verification is pretty costly and not very reliable. Lots of angry customers with checks that would have cleared.

[Anubis]

Since Telecheck/Chexsystems/etc. are considered CRAs, getting your free annual reports from them would be a good first step.

 

Of course it could be the retailers' way of saying "it's 2009, stop writing checks for purchases already!"

 

Call my a cynic, but any time I see someone under 60 writing a check at the register, I immediately assume they're trying to game the system, play the float, whatever. I can't see a valid reason for check writing at a retailer in 2009.

 

I haven't written a paper check since 2002.

[Elizabeth_Speaking]

I had to write a couple checks last month while I was waiting on my new debit card to arrive. (DD lost my old one in a store.) It felt WEIRD.

 

If someone wants to float using a debit card, they can just have the purchase rung up as credit, right?

[hurricanesfans27]

generally no there is no float having the purchase rung up as credit.

[Elizabeth_Speaking]

Ah. Thanks for the info. I like to see what I've spent the moment I spend it, and have noticed that whenever my purchase is rung as credit (like at the gas station on the corner where debit transactions never seem to work), I don't see the deduction for several days. That's why I was confused.

[jtoast]

There can be kind of a float with debit cards. Most gas stations in this area only pre-authorized $1 when you fill up and it can be several days before your account gets hit with the $35-50 or whatever you spent. Also, certain banks (BOA used to be this way...dont know if they still are) will only hold authorizations for 3 days and then they release the hold. If it takes longer than that for the charge to come in, you end up with a little float time.

[toopooor]

generally no there is no float having the purchase rung up as credit.

at many places, there is no float on checks anymore either.

 

The extent of my check writing: the bank writes one check a month for me for water/sewer and I wrote one real one for my HOA fees (paid yearly, due in Nov) and my biz sends 2 -3 per month. Back in the 80's and 90's, i often wrote over 100 checks a month.

[jtoast]

I write 3 checks a month. One for each of my 2 daughters school lunch accounts and a third to pay for before school care since I have to drop my dauthers off early before work.

 

Other than that its 100% credit/debit/Online banking.

[nothingtolose]

as others have advised, get a debit card from your bank or better yet a CC

 

Chex forum contains more info on requesting your free report and correcting inaccuracies in your file

Valid Chex derogs stay on the report for 5 years. Inquiries fall off earlier (3 years?) IIRC.

[2fast]

Wow, the anti debit crusaders are slipping....

I'll do their job for them here..

Please note that:

1. using a debit card MAY offer reduced consumer protections

2. using a debit card MAY increase risk to your checking balance

3. Using a debit card MAY not give the same rewards

 

There, they can rest easy..

Edited November 20, 2009 by 2fast

[nothingtolose]

I write 3 checks a month. One for each of my 2 daughters school lunch accounts and a third to pay for before school care since I have to drop my dauthers off early before work.

 

Other than that its 100% credit/debit/Online banking.

 

anywhere that doesn't accept CC/debit and bills me gets an online bill payment (a few clicks and an online confirmation of the payment); I maybe write 2-3 paper checks in six months

[gj83]

I've seen quite a few people recently who still maintain a register with every debit purchase so if you are used to maintaining your register you still can. I personally just use online banking as my check register because I can easily track spending categories.

 

I write 1 check a month and that is for my rent. I wonder how much longer the few retail operations who accept checks will hold out.

[jtoast]

I write 1 check a month and that is for my rent. I wonder how much longer the few retail operations who accept checks will hold out.

Landlord claimed he didn't receive a check I mailed once. Now rent goes through online banking so he can fight with my bank when he says he didn't get it.

[GEORGE]

I've seen quite a few people recently who still maintain a register with every debit purchase so if you are used to maintaining your register you still can. I personally just use online banking as my check register because I can easily track spending categories.

 

I write 1 check a month and that is for my rent. I wonder how much longer the few retail operations who accept checks will hold out.

Very few places here take paper checks

 

No restaurant that I know of still takes paper checks

 

All that is left is basically the mortgage...utilities...credit card payments...WALMART...TARGET...THE GROCERY STORES

Edited November 20, 2009 by GEORGE

[toopooor]

I write 3 checks a month. One for each of my 2 daughters school lunch accounts and a third to pay for before school care since I have to drop my dauthers off early before work.

 

Other than that its 100% credit/debit/Online banking.

 

anywhere that doesn't accept CC/debit and bills me gets an online bill payment (a few clicks and an online confirmation of the payment); I maybe write 2-3 paper checks in six months

When it comes to school lunches and aftercare, i don't think I'd use an online check.

 

I could use it for my HOA but i didn't want to enter the payment info in the new bank - although it probably woulda been faster than looking for the checkbook.

[toopooor]

I've seen quite a few people recently who still maintain a register with every debit purchase so if you are used to maintaining your register you still can. I personally just use online banking as my check register because I can easily track spending categories.

 

I write 1 check a month and that is for my rent. I wonder how much longer the few retail operations who accept checks will hold out.

Make that 'the few retail ops who process then as checks, later'. Most now process them as debits and hand the voided check back to the customer.

[2fast]

I've seen quite a few people recently who still maintain a register with every debit purchase so if you are used to maintaining your register you still can. I personally just use online banking as my check register because I can easily track spending categories.

 

I write 1 check a month and that is for my rent. I wonder how much longer the few retail operations who accept checks will hold out.

Make that 'the few retail ops who process then as checks, later'. Most now process them as debits and hand the voided check back to the customer.

Depends greatly on the region. In the Midwest you can still use checks at most places except fast food.