Looks like things haven't changed a bit! Tried to purchase a computer monitor at Staples this past Sunday. Didn't want to put the purchase on credit card, so wrote a check. DENIED! By, guess who, Certegy! No reason given, the store just kept asking for an "alternative form of payment". Since we didn't want to use a credit card, we walked out of the store without finishing the purchase. On Monday we called Certegy -- how fun that was! Over and over again all they kept saying was that the check "does not meet parameters" or "does not meet the format". When we asked what those parameters are, or what the format is, we were told that they couldn't tell us those, but they kept repeating that our check didn't meet the parameters and didn't meet the format. We also asked if we were to go to the store today and attempt to make the purchase would the check again be declined, and the person said 'yes'. Again we asked why and all they would say is that same line about the parameters and the format, but wouldn't tell us what those are. Having read these posts, it's a bit more clear -- there are *no* parameters and *no* format, it's just on someone's whim to decline or not decline. Since it was Sunday there weren't others in the store, so we were 'spared' some of the embarrassment, but that didn't make us feel any better about having the check declined. The rest of what you feel -- what have I done? Why is my check not good? I'm financially responsible and financially sound, so that can't be it. You run through all the emotions, then get angry! Who are these people to sit at some 1-800 number and seemingly randomly ruin someone's day. Needless to say, we'll be purchasing a computer monitor elsewhere, not Stapes. We probably won't be buying much else there either if they continue to use Certegy. On a related note, we wrote a check that same weekend at a different store -- one that uses TeleCheck --- no problem whatsoever. Didn't even have to show driver's license or other identification. Check went through, purchase approved, we went home with our purchase. Sad to say the same did not happen at Staples. Not only did we have to use our driver's license, we had to give our telephone number, etc., etc., etc.--- still got declined. When we called Certegy, we wouldn't give the bank account number -- we just wanted to know why the check was declined. I must admit, we were less than pleased with the reason. We won't be trading at stores that use this company to validate checks -- just not worth it. There are too many other places to shop. We wrote to Staples to let them know why they will lose us as a customer -- haven't received a response yet. Perhaps they don't care -- they have so many other customers, what's the difference if they lose one. That's the attitude we got from the people at the store itself when we went back there on Monday. Judging from the number of those stupid little slips they have, this must happen often. I can't believe a store with Staples' reputation continues to use this company! As others have said, it does help to know you're not alone and it would be nice if something could be done to make them stop mistreating people.

A copay check for $65.00 was denied for purchase of prescription glasses. Checking account is used only for medical service purchases as dictated by the IRA guidelines. How can you have history of use if it is used infrequently? Certegy is out of wack!

My wife wrote a check for $147.18 on the evening of 11-29-2010 at one of the local Hobby Lobby stores - it was declined and the only "explanation" given was a small slip of paper that provided the number to "Certegy" (a check authorizing company that Hobby Lobby has a contract with to process their transactions). Overwhelmingly embarrassed, and almost in tears, she called me to ask if anything was wrong with the checking account she wrote the check on (i.e., did we get notified of any “identity theft” activity). I said “No, not that I am aware of.” and I told her I would check into the issue when she got home.

I called “Certegy” at 8:28pm that evening and started going through their automated system. Within 10 minutes, I was able to talk to a representative (although you could tell she was in-training, reading from script and being coached by another representative). After going through all the necessary steps to track down “the transaction, ” I was told that there was no “problems” with my check other than the fact that their system just happened to pick my check out to decline.

First off, this is totally absurd as a business practice and Hobby Lobby needs to investigate how many times this “practice” has happened because it is costing them (Hobby Lobby) sales and money. Secondly, as a company in this line of business, “Certegy” would be better off giving me any other reason of why the check was declined (low check number, too many checks written within a short amount of time, personal data not matching up with records, etc.) other than their system just happened to pick my check and that they are very sorry for the “inconvenience”.

I was then asked if I wanted to sign up for a “Certegy Gold Card” and when I pressed the representative for what it would do for me, she could not give me what I would consider an acceptable answer. I asked if I had the card and presented it along with my check if I would not have what happened to my wife happen to me. She said no, that’s not how it worked, but could not tell me exactly what having a “Certegy Gold Card” does for me. My bank provides me with “identify theft” protection, check clearance notifications, low balance, etc. As far as I can see from my wife’s experience, “Certegy” might provide “some protection” to Hobby Lobby on occasions, but the real question that Hobby Lobby and other merchants who do contract with them is “What does “Certegy” cost me in lost sales?”

I attempted to write a check for a payment on a layaway and the check was denied. When I called Certegy I was told that they had decided my check didnt meet their criteria and they determined it might be fraudulent because my husband also has check writing privileges on our joint account. When I called them on that, he told me that he tried to call my bank, which is a lie because they were open to verify funds and couldnt, so they determined I was a risk. The entire situation is unethical and deplorable. I dont write checks ever but this was for a lay away payment and I wanted to be able to track the payments for my own purposes. The fact is, the assholes informed me that they have the right to unethically profile me and decide whether or not I am trustworthy enough to write a check based on criteria they would not share with me. When I requested the exact reason, he told me it was not my business why and that if he told me I might undertake fraudlent activity! This isnt over. I am goimg to the dept of financial affairs in my state, the governors office and the CEO of this horrendous company to get satisfaction. A class action suite needs to be undertaken against these people - or maybe a 20/20 expose exposing the for who and what they really are!

I attempted to cash a MoneyGram money order at Walmart. This was a money order purchased at the very same Walmart. They refused to cash it based on Certegy's recommendation. After waiting nearly 20 minutes on hold, a snippy twit told me that the money order was just like a check (absolutely false) and that when they ran in it through their "model" it came up as potentially fraudulent. Of course, although they suspected "fraud" no one called the police, no one kept the money order; I was simply told that I would have to go somewhere that didn't use their service to cash it. I've made a formal complaint with the FTD and the BBB - Certegy is located in Tampa, Florida. Certegy has 19 different post office boxes in Tampa, FL. Certegy has already entered into one settlement with the government for allowing private information on more than five million people to be accessed. The BBB shows numerous complaints as well. This company is a parasite and I'll not spend another penny at Walmart while Walmart continues to use them.