I had more than enough money to cover the checks I wrote. I wrote one at K-mart which was declined in the middle of the night. So I couldn't contact my bank, so I contacted the company that printed on the back of my check. Certegy, who told me that it was because my check was inappropriate in appearance. They then went on to tell me that if I wish for this to never happen again and to improve my credit history that I was to take their "Free offer" which was going to improve my credit history. That sounded like a scam, period. So I declined their offer and hung up. The next day I reported it to my bank, and my bank also said it sounded like a scam and said to watch my bank account to make sure no money was taken out of it.

So I took 70 dollars out of my checking account to go back to k-mart and buy what I was going to buy.

Later that week I went to Herbergers to buy something and it came to 105 dollars. I was also denied, at this point in time Herbergers was embarrassed about the incident because it shouldn't have happened so they tried to figure out what happened. And Certegy said that it was a code 2 decline and said nothing more to them.

So I went back to my bank, which because I reported the same thing again... I got the manager of the bank to look over my checks, my account, my account history, and everything. They said there was no reason for any of my checks to be declined, I've wrote out hundreds of checks, never once had a returned check, never once ran low on cash, and there was nothing wrong with my current checks.

Then I called Certegy again, this time I wasn't as friendly with the representative, I wasn't exactly a enraged raving lunatic... but... I wasn't taking the whole "I'm sorry for your inconvenience, but we're not going to change anything." So I asked him to tell me the truth and stop giving me the run around in a way.

They then told me that it was because I normally write out checks for 20-50 dollars and for me to write out a 70 dollar check was too high of a check to be accepted. That's when I said I've wrote out checks for 900, 700, 600, and my rent alone is 400 a month I pay in check. So what's the difference now? He had no answer, then he went on to say, well you've already had two checks against your credit so we will not accept any checks from you for awhile. That's when I went off the deep end, I'm only 19 years old, I've been trying my hardest to get credit, now this company is ruining it by declining my checks. So, I pretty much stated I'm going to have to report this incident with the BBB, and with the attorney general with my state. They pretty much stated, that there is no attorney that is going to try and fight a multimillion dollar company. And that they can refuse any check they want because it's just a piece of paper and not really legal tender(sp).

Then I asked my local District Attorney about this, and they said to report it to the sheriffs department.

I pay by check just for almost anything I purchase on the outside. Last month I went to my local Best Buy Electronics store as I was in the market for a new Laptop computer. The purchase price was well over $2000.00 and when I went to pay for it I asked if I could pay by personal check and I was informed Yes, and I had to produce my valid Drivers License. My check was accepted and I purchased was made. Now, about 3 weeks later, I returned to Best Buy to purchase some accessories for the Laptop I purchased from them an that about totaled $500.00. Now, I want to you to keep in mind, the original check I wrote for over $2000.00 had cleared and I also happen to have in my briefcase my bank statement and canceled checks. When I went to pay for the additional items that I wanted for my Laptop, my check was declined. I asked the salesperson what the problem or issue was and there answer was, we do not know and we can't assist you as this is controlled from a company called Certegy check acceptance. Well, prior to leaving the store, I asked and demanded a telephone number for this Certegy check outfit and was provided one and proceeded to call them and find out what the issue or problem was and I was told after looking on there system, after giving my valid information, that there was no problem at all and my name and reputation was spotless. So, I asked, why was my check declined...? The answer I was given is that the computer system decides whether to accept a check or not. Folks, all I can say is that stay far away from Certegy check services and Best Buy as that is the company they use. In closing, I was very embarrassed to say the least, and most of all Best Buy will never get a penny of my hard earned money ever again. Good Luck to you all.

We received a phone call that a check written to Albertson's Grocery Store was returned marked "Unable to locate account." Through conversation with them, it was determined that the check was misrouted to a Credit Union in Memphis, Tennessee (my bank is in Florida). I spoke with Certegy regarding the error and asked them to refer to a letter written by my Bank indicating that the check in question was never submitted to them for payment and that at no time would this item have been declined as funds were available.

In the meantime, I have had checks declined at stores based on the derogatory information in their database and Certegy insists that they cannot clear my name and this erroneous record from their database for at least 24-48 hours after arranging a payment to clear the item. In addition, they claimed that if I did not pay this check through them, rather than allowing the item to be re-run and paid through the normal system, then they would never remove this derogatory information from their database. This account is used to make purchases for my business and until this is cleared up, I am out of business.

The customer service people were rude and had poor skills at dealing with people who have been erroneously labeled "deadbeats". I have written a letter to the company, with a copy to the State of Florida Public Service Commission and the FTC. I believe this is a violation of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) and will file any possible complaints to end this discriminatory practice related to the check clearing process.

The consumer is left out of the error resolution process with this company. The regulators should be extra diligent in their oversight of and sanctions against this company, especially in light of the breach of security that they recently experienced through theft of consumer information and the sale of that information to marketing companies.

I received the letter telling me my Business Acct was among those SOLD by an employee to third, fourth and fifth parties.

You KNOW they are scamming... I live in NY and my brother got the same letter and he is in FL... I called my bank and they said to be on the safe side, I should close the account and open a new one, which I will. I only wonder how long it will be till they send another letter with THAT acct on it.

My bank also said I was the 4th one in 3 days to alert them to this and they are forwarding the info to their FRAUD department.

My advice is to let your bank know what is going on... so they can block these a-holes. I am also reporting them to the FBI for interstate FRAUD!!

I also have found myself livid... checking acct has more than enough funds, called bank, they have nothing to do with it... checks denied in past 3 weeks from Ashely furniture, Sears, JCPenney, and today Macy's... they all give me a number to call, but if I use my debit card linked to same acct... transaction goes right thru... so needlessly voiding out 4 checks, giving my driver's license number and all my personal information, which should be a part of the so called privacy act... and still the checks are denied... I finally called certegy and they told me go on line, site is secure, and fill out our gold application, which asks all kinds of personal information they don't need to know... I am more than livid and just emailed the company, which will probably not respond to me...