There’s lots of talk about what a pain it is to end up on the ChexSystems list, but little talk about how to avoid the list in the first place. Here are 14 things to avoid to stay off the ChexSystems list.

1. If you owe your bank money – PAY IT.
2. Don’t bounce checks.
3. Don’t overdraw your account when using your ATM or debit card.
4. Don’t overdraw your account by authorizing an “ACH” debit when you won’t have money.
5. Don’t set up recurring ACH withdrawals (such as to payday lenders or other companies) when you are not absolutely sure that you won’t have more than enough each time the withdrawal time arrives.
6. Don’t “float” a check (never write a check if you don’t have sufficient funds on the day you write the check).
7. Don’t open a bank account using a made up name or alias.
8. Never give fraudulent or wrong information on a bank account application.
9. Don’t commit ANY kind of check fraud.
10. If you write a check that bounces, fix it immediately by contacting your bank and the person or company you made the check out to.
11. Never assume that a bank will close your account after you withdraw all the money—they won’t. Call them and ask them to actually close the account.
12. Always check your bank balance and balance your account. You always need to know how much money you have in your account.
13. If you move, make sure your bank knows your new address.
14. Always review your monthly statement, and watch out for any sign of identity theft or transactions you did not authorize.

These tips are usually pretty easy to follow. Follow these tips, and you should have no problem staying off ChexSystems.

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Related ChexSystems Banking Information:

1. Want To Stay Off ChexSystems? Don’t Write Bad Checks
2. Minimum Average Balance to Avoid Fees
3. Non ChexSystems Bank Tip — Washington Mutual Bank
4. How to Deal With ChexSystems Problems (the Really Tough Ones)
5. Tips for Properly Using and Cashing a Check