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ChexSystems Articles

Looking for information about ChexSystems and second chance checking?  Chances are, you’ll find the information you need here.  This is an alphabetical list of all of the articles we’ve published about ChexSystems and second chance banking.  Check back frequently, as we add information daily.

  • A Closer Look at AccountNowSome of the most popular second chance bank accounts available are issued by a company called AccountNow. This article takes a closer look at AccountNow and their products. If you are comparing different second chance banking products, you need to check this article out.
  • A Great New Second Chance Bank -- Probity Financial ServicesFinding a good second chance bank that gives you a real checkbook and has all the features you need in a bank account has always been difficult (and it has been getting more difficult in recent years due to the banking crisis). We are very excited to have found a great new bank that has some amazing features for anyone looking for a new bank account.
  • Are You Having Problems with a Bank? How to File a ComplaintIf you have experienced banking problems, whether the issue has to do with your checking account, credit card or personal loan, and you feel you have been treated unfairly, you may find justice by filing a bank complaint.
  • Balancing your Checkbook with Success This is the final article in our series of managing your checkbook and checking account. In this article, we provide a number of tips for balancing your checkbook with a high level of success.
  • Bank Accounts for Non-Residents -- Why So Difficult?Why is it so hard for people who are not citizens or resident's of the United States to open a bank account here? If you don't have a driver's license and other US -issued identification, it is extremely hard to open a bank account in the U.S. We've always thought that the primary reason that banks don't issue bank accounts to non-residents was due to Federal "know your customer" regulations. Apparently, that's not the whole reason.
  • Can I Use My PrePaid Debit Card to Rent a Car?

    Here's a question we receive all the time from folks who are considering prepaid debit cards:

    Can I use my prepaid debit card to rent a car?

  • Check Clearing - Understanding How Checks Are ProcessedWe've talked about check clearing before. Advances in how checks are processed (or "cleared") have made it easier to bounce a check. (and bouncing checks is one of the easiest ways to lose your banking privileges and end up on the ChexSystems list). We found a great visual explanation of the check clearing process on the FFIEC website.
  • Checking Account Fraud -- Types of Check Fraud

    Despite recent innovations in check processing (such as the "Check 21" law that went into affect in 2004 and which causes most checks to be processed electronically), check fraud is still widespread.

  • Checking Accounts - Watch Out For Automatic OverdraftsA consumer group recently conducted a poll of overdraft protection programs. The poll, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, found that many consumers do not understand how overdraft programs work. According to the poll, 39 percent of consumers thought that their bank would either deny a debit transaction or allow it to proceed without charging a fee if it would overdraw their account. Nearly half of those polled (48 percent) thought their ATM card would not work if they attempted to withdraw more money than was available in their account.
  • ChexSystems Ends Partnership with the GetChecking Program

    ChexSystems is no longer supporting the GetChecking program. The GetChecking program (used to) allowed people with negative items on their ChexSystems reports to open new bank accounts after passing a checking management class. Unfortunately, the program will no longer be available.

  • ChexSystems Problems?
  • ChexSystems Removal -- How To Remove Fraudulent Info From Your ChexSystems Report

    Did you know that you can remove false or erroneous information from your ChexSystems report? It's called "ChexSystems removal" and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that ChexSystems do it upon your request.

  • ChexSystems Removal -- Sample Dispute LetterStuck on ChexSystems list? Did you know that you can remove certain negative information from ChexSystems so that you can get back to banking? Here's a sample letter that you can use.
  • ChexSystems, Inc. -- Who Are They?
  • Debit Cards are Passing Credit Cards in PopularityFor the first time, the total amount of transactions conducted using debit cards (including prepaid debit cards) has passed the total amount of transactions made using credit cards. The popularity of debit cards is a result of a number of factors.
  • Direct Deposit Tip: Save Money By Using Direct Deposit
  • Do Banks Encourage NSF Transactions?
  • Do I Need a Business Bank Account?Many small business owners are uncertain whether they need to establish a separate bank account. While there are many situations that do not absolutely require it, it is always best to separate funds to make bookkeeping and tax reporting easier. In some cases, however, capital is in short supply or activity is minimal, and it may not be desirable to open a separate business account unless it is truly necessary.
  • Electronic Funds Transfers: How They WorkLearn about "electronic funds transfers" and how they work. You may not know it, but you probably use electronic funds transfers weekly, even if you don't have a regular bank account. Many second chance banks use electronic funds transfers almost exclusively.
  • Everyday Prepaid -- MasterCard's New Prepaid Debit Card Campaign
  • Fighting With Your Bank? Learn How to File a ComplaintBanking problems can be difficult to deal with. For example, what do you do if your bank charges you an incorrect NSF fee? Or what do you do if you have a fee dispute with your bank? If you don't fight for your rights, you can end up with banking problems. Learn how to file a complaint against your bank.
  • Finally! An Easy Way to Find a Local Non ChexSystems BankAre you sick and tired of searching for a non ChexSystems bank? We provide lots of information on this site, and have listed quite a few non ChexSystems banks. But the lists keep changing, and it is always hard to find local banks that don't use ChexSystems. We may have found the answer to your needs!
  • Finding a Checking Account No Deposit RequiredSome online banks offer checking accounts that include the ability to utilize paper checks as well as a debit card. Typically, these are banks that do not have a physical branch, so you cannot bank in person with them. They usually will accept deposits by mail as well as direct deposits. You often have a shorter time period, usually no more than 30 days, to make your first deposit than with the paperless accounts. Also, many of them require that you have at least two transactions per month to keep the account active.
  • Finding Local Second Chance Checking AccountsFinding a local bank that will let you open a second chance checking account can be very frustrating! Here are a few tips that may help you find a new bank.
  • Get Off ChexSystems ListAre you sick of not having a decent bank account because you are on the ChexSystems list? Want to learn how to get off the ChexSystems list? You need to read this article.
  • Great New Prepaid Card WebsiteIf you are looking for a good second chance bank account, chances are that you've checked out some of the prepaid debit cards that are available (we talk about these cards quite frequently on this site). Prepaid debit cards can be a great alternative to a "regular" bank account. However, there are so many of these cards that it can be difficult to pick the right one. We've found a new website that makes it easy for you, with reviews and information about every major prepaid card on the market.
  • Have a New Non-ChexSystems Account? Make Sure to Protect Your Privacy

    Once you have opened a new bank account, you should know a few things about how to use the account and protect your privacy. Here's some information you need to know.

  • How Bank of America Uses ChexSystems
  • How Do I Add Money To a Prepaid Debit Card?It is easy to deposit money into a prepaid debit card account. In some ways, it's easier to deposit money onto a prepaid card than it is to deposit money into a bank account.
  • How Do You Confirm that a Non-ChexSystems Bank is Legitimate?If you are searching for a new bank account at a non ChexSystems bank, you need to know how to confirm that the non ChexSystems bank is a legitimate bank. This article explains how.
  • How Much Do Prepaid Debit Cards Cost?Prepaid debit cards can be very inexpensive. Some have better rates and better features than typical checking accounts.
  • How New Banking Rules May Impact Your Second Chance Bank AccountNew government rules designed to solve some problems in the credit card industry will affect people who have second chance bank accounts.
  • How to Contact ChexSystemsIt can be hard to deal with ChexSystems problems. There are several ways to deal directly with ChexSystems. One way is to contact them by mail, phone or fax. Another way is to use ChexSystem's website.
  • How to Deal With ChexSystems Problems (the Really Tough Ones)
  • How to Dispute Information on Your Chex Systems ReportOne of the most effective ways to solve your Chex Systems problems is to get off the Chex Systems list completely. Remember, ChexSystems is not perfect—they make errors. If they have made any errors in your ChexSystems report, you may be able to remove the errors and clean up your Chex Systems record. This article explains how you do it.
  • How to Find a Free Checking Account with no Deposit Finding a free checking account with no deposit requirements can be difficult, especially if you have past issues with bank accounts. However, you have several options if you are looking for just such an account.
  • How to Find Your Checking Account Number on a Check If you need to set up a direct deposit, do a check by phone, or register your checking account with Paypal, you will need to provide them with your account information. The easiest way to do this is to look at a check and you'll find your bank routing number and checking account number on the bottom left.
  • How to get a Bank Account that is Just Right for You The first thing you need to do is decide whether you want a checking account, a savings account, or both. Then you should investigate banks with locations that are convenient to your home or work. Once you have several possibilities, it is time to research the different types of accounts each offers, since every bank has a variety of checking and savings programs to choose from. Much information can be found on the bank's website. Following are some suggestions on how to get a bank account that fits your needs.
  • How to Open a Bank Account with Bad Credit Bad credit, when the term is used to refer to bank accounts, has little to do with your credit score and everything to do with how you have handled bank accounts in the past. While bounced checks and closed accounts can appear on your credit history, banks seldom check that information when deciding whether to open an account. Instead, the majority of them request a report from an agency that reports on bank related incidents. The two most commonly used are TeleCheck and ChexSystems. If you want to check your status, you can request reports from either or both, and you are allowed one report per year from each agency. Negative reports from these agencies usually mean that you need to know how to open a bank account with bad credit.
  • How to Open a Bank Account with no Credit Check Many people need to open a bank account with no credit check. This does not mean that they are concerned about late payments reported to a credit bureau, such as Equifax. Instead, bad credit bank accounts refer to accounts for people who have had banking problems in the past. Returned checks or accounts that banks choose to close for cause are reported to agencies such as ChexSystems or TeleCheck. When someone applies for a new account, the bank will obtain a report from one of these agencies. What the bank chooses to do with the information is up to the bank, but most will not open an account for individuals who have negative information on this report.
  • How to Open a Banking AccountWhether you need a savings account or a checking account, you should first research all the options available to you before selecting the best solution for your needs. Once you have chosen potential institutions and located any documentation needed, it is a relatively simple matter to open a banking account.
  • How to Open a New Bank AccountIt is not difficult to open a new bank account, but for best results you need to research your options and select the best bank for your situation. You also want to make sure that you have all the documents you need with you when you go.
  • How to Open Business Checking Account Online It is really quite simple to open a business checking account online. All you need to do is research the banks of interest to you to see if they offer an account that meets your needs and then assemble your information. In a matter of minutes, you can submit your application and receive a response.
  • How to Stop Payment on a Check

    Have you ever written a check, and then found out the item you wrote the check for was defective, or wasn't what they seller promised? You may want to stop payment on the check. Here's how to do it. Remember -- Proper checking account management can help you avoid landing on the ChexSystems list.

  • Interesting New Debit Card Website
  • Is the Number of People with ChexSystems Problems on the Rise?
  • Just How Bad Is Your ChexSystems Report?

    If you are a loyal reader of this site, you know we recommend that EVERYONE get a copy of their ChexSystems report. You need to know what is on your ChexSystems record, and the only way to find out is to order a copy of your official ChexSystems report. (We provide information on how to contact ChexSystems here).

  • Managing Your Checking Account -- Avoiding Bank Fees
  • Meet the Company Behind The Walmart Prepaid Debit Card (and Others...)

    Ever curious about what the little green dot on some prepaid debit cards means? Well the green dot is a trademark that is used to show that the Walmart prepaid debit cards are processed by a company called GreenDot. Learn about it GreenDot and what they do in this article.

  • New FDIC Insurance Limits
  • New Second Chance Bank: iBankUp from UpSide
  • Non ChexSystems Bank Tip -- Washington Mutual BankHere's a tip from one of our readers about Washington Mutual (and how they deal with people on chexsystems).
  • On ChexSystems List? Know Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

    Have you recently been denied a bank account? Were you surprised to find out that you are on the ChexSystems list? Well, welcome to the crowd -- lots of people are on that list! Here are a few things you should know about your Federal rights. You have some options under a law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

  • On ChexSystems? You Need to Understand Checking and Savings AccountsIf you are on the ChexSystems list, you need to understand the features of and differences between checking and savings accounts. If you are on the ChexSystems list, you are probably shopping around for a new and better bank account. This guide to checking and savings accounts can help you!
  • Online Banking -- Most Americans Use It
  • Opening a Checking Account with Bad CreditOpening a checking account with bad credit does not mean you will have difficulty getting approved if you failed to pay an emergency room bill or have been late with your credit card payments. Your credit bureau history is seldom checked. Banks rely on agencies that report on banking history instead. The two largest such agencies are ChexSystems and TeleCheck. If your last checking account was fraught with overdrafts or if the bank chose to close the account, you can assume that it was reported to one or both of these services. When you apply for a new account, the bank will obtain the report; while each bank has its own policy regarding approval, few will open a new checking account if there is a consistent history of problems. However, some banks offer what they call second chance banking, and if your report shows only one bad account, they will often approve opening a checking account.
  • Opening a Checking Account: What to Consider This is the first in a series of articles about checking accounts and checking account management. Good checking account management is critical to your success in staying off the ChexSystems list. This first article provides information on opening a checking account including what to consider such as age, institution, etc.
  • Opening a New Bank Account with a Minimum of Stress Opening a new bank account can make many people feel quite nervous, particularly if they have had problems with a bank in the past. However, if you do a little research and prepare ahead of time, you can eliminate most of the pressure involved in opening an account.
  • Prepaid Debit Card -- More on the Satisfaction Survey
  • PrePaid Debit Card Accounts -- Are They Insured by the Government?

    Have you considered putting your money and paycheck into a prepaid debit card account, but worried whether your money is safe? It's a reasonable concern (especially now, when we hear about the financial problems that banks are experiencing). The answer to your concern depends on a few things that are very easy for you to find out.

  • Prepaid Debit Cards -- Survey Says Two Thumbs Up
  • Prepaid Debit Cards are Getting Even Easier to Use
  • Prepaid Debit Cards: The Top Five Reasons People Use Them
  • Reader Question: Why Does ChexSystems Keep Me On Their List So Long?Here's a chexsystems question from one of our readers (asking why chexsystems keeps people on their list so long)
  • Reader Tip: Finding a Good Bank AccountHere's a reader tip on how she got a second chance bank account even though she was on the ChexSystems list.
  • Seven Situations for which you need a Business Bank Account
  • State of Missouri Sued on a Claim Relating to ChexSystems
  • StopChex Mentioned at the 2009 Kansas City Fed ConferenceShould we be flattered... or concerned that they don't get it? We were reviewing some of the presentations from the 2009 Payments Conference held by the Kansas City Federal Reserve, and saw a slide that mentioned StopChex.com.
  • The FDIC Says Almost 1/4 Of Banks Offer "Second Chance Accounts"
  • The Growing List of Failed BanksCheck our list of failed banks to see if your bank was on the list.
  • The Guide to Get OFF ChexSystemsWhy not try to get off ChexSystems completely? Wouldn't it be nice to have a normal bank account again? You can! Check out the only complete guide to ChexSystems removal.
  • Tips for Properly Using and Cashing a Check This is the third article in a series of articles about checking account management. In this article, we provide tips on how to properly use and cash a check. To avoid ending up on the ChexSystems list, you need to use and cash checks properly.
  • Understanding ATM Cards and Debit CardsEver wonder what the difference between an "ATM card" and a "debit card" is? Ever wonder whether it's safe to use a debit card for online purchases? Here are answers to these and other questions about ATM and debit cards.
  • Want to Avoid ChexSystems Problems? Don't Do These 14 Things.Luckily, it can be relatively easy to stay off the ChexSystems list. The following section gives a listing of things to avoid doing that could land you on the list.
  • Want To Stay Off ChexSystems? Don't Write Bad ChecksHere's some of the most important information we can give you to keep you off ChexSystems -- don't write bad checks. Don't do it on purpose. Don't do it by accident.
  • What do I Need to Open a Business Checking Account?The exact documentation needed to open a business bank account may vary by state or by bank within each state. It will also depend on the type of business structure you choose.
  • What Features do Bank Accounts for Bad Credit Offer?Before you begin looking for bank accounts for bad credit, it is important that you understand what is meant by the term "bad credit" as it applies to bank accounts.
  • What is a "Substitute Check"?

    Have you heard the term "substitute check" used? Have you wondered what it means? Find out here (and also find out why you should care).

  • What is a Prepaid Debit Card?Prepaid debit cards are great ways to get a bank account, even if you are on the ChexSystems list or have bad credit. Learn more in this article.
  • What is ChexSystems?

    Lots of people have never heard of ChexSystems until they have some banking problems. Then, you may be told the bad news that your bank account is being closed because you are on a list maintained by a company called "ChexSystems". Then you need to find out: What is ChexSystems?

  • What is Telecheck?
  • What you Need to Know About Starting a Bank Account Not too long ago, it was much easier to open a savings account than a checking account. However, new laws and regulations now make starting a bank account of either type equivalent. You will need the same documentation to open either, and you should ask many of the same questions about both.
  • Which is More Expensive: Check Cashers, Checking Accounts, or Prepaid Debit Cards?
  • Who Uses Prepaid Debit Cards?Lots of people use prepaid debit cards. They are great for avoiding check cashing fees. They are also great if you want to improve your credit or if you are on the ChexSystems list.
  • Why a Prepaid Debit Card May be Better Than an Checking AccountThe problem with being on the ChexSystems list is that it makes it hard (if not impossible) for you to open a new checking account for several years. But what if checking accounts were not as useful as they used to be? If that were the case, being on ChexSystems might not be so bad after all. Here's news about a trend that may make you rethink whether you really need a new checking account.
  • Why is it Important to Stay Off the ChexSystems List?Do you realize how expensive it is to live life without a bank account? Learn why it is important for you to stay off the ChexSystems list (or get off the list if you are already on it). If you are on the ChexSystems list, chances are, you will have a hard time finding a good bank account.
  • Why Should I Use a Prepaid Debit Card?Some people ask why they should use a prepaid debit card instead of a regular bank account. There are lots of good reasons. Find out more in this article.
  • Why You Need a Bank Account Even if You Are On ChexSystemsBeing on the ChexSystems list can be very frustrating. Learn why you still need to try to get a bank account even if you are on ChexSystems.
  • Will New Overdraft Rules Increase the Number of People on the ChexSystems List?Yesterday, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve announced a set of rules designed to prevent financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machine (ATM) and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer consents, or opts in, to the overdraft service for those types of transactions.
  • Writing a Check: Don’t forget any Details This is the second in a series of articles about managing, using and maintaining a checking account (so you don't end back up on the ChexSystems list). In this article, we discuss some of the most important details to keep in mind when writing a check.