FISGlobal.com / Certegy
Reviews and Complaints

I wrote a check that bounced twice. I called Certegy, who was handling the check. They told me the check would not go through my bank a third time, so I wrote a 2nd check to them. They received and deposited it, and then the original check went through my bank! I have contacted them many times over the last 10 days to get it refunded and get a different story from every person I talk to. I have filed a complaint with our state Attorney General's office. It doesn't seem like it should be this much of a problem for them to just put the money back into my account, but they say they have to send it by mail. The moral of the story is, don't let a check bounce, but if it does and it goes to Certegy, don't send them a new check. They'll just keep running it through your account until it goes through.

I went to Wal-mart to cash a payroll check and a 401k check. I have cashed many checks there without a problem. I was banking through Wells Fargo and would have brought them there, but I closed my account with them due to their actions they are taken and being sued for. I was denied to cash my check and not given any reason. Just told I can get a copy of my credit report and call Certegy. Even the manager said just get a copy of your credit report. What does my credit report have to do with anything, I didnt apply for anything or authorize Certegy to run my credit file information. I just wanted to cash two checks. I called Certegy, and did get through to somebody, who would not tell me anything and kept saying I am confused what is it you want. I explained for a 3rd time what I was calling about and she said sorry and hung up on me. What kind of answer is that?!? I had a check at Wal-mart bounce about a year ago, took it to court because it was a Wells Fargo error. There was money in the account and Wells Fargo shows it to this day as paid, but they never actually sent the funds. It was settled in my favor that I was not at fault and that I am cleared from the whole writing bad checks record as well. I dont know if this is what it is over, but it is not fair to take actions and make a ruling that goes over what the judge has already ruled upon. I would definately like to see a suit be brought against them. I had to go to a regular grocery store, and they were more than willing to cash and it was even cheaper through them than Wal-mart, I just planned on buying some items at Wal-mart. Instead I am done using them, even if paying in cash until they fix their problem they are causing with Certegy. Easter weekend and the store is packed and having a manager say get your credit report in front of all those people while I am in a professional uniform was just embarrassing. I have my credit report and I know that it is not on there. My family and fiance wont be using them anymore either until they get rid of Certegy nobody deserves such treatment.

Following is the email I sent to Target which explains the situation. I am posting my experience EVERYwhere so I can't retype this for each and every page. If you have a similar situation PLEASE report it to whichever store you were in. It takes a certain # of complaints for them to launch an investigation!

"I hope there is no character limit to these emails because I have a lot to say. I know you

probably get hundred of these every day, but I can't stress enough how much I LOVE your

company and how upset I would be to get a form reply. Even if you just take half a second, please

write to me like I am a person and not "email #[protected]". You will have my ever-lasting

devotion if you do! Tonight I went to my new neighborhood Target to make some ordinary

purchases (tonight's dinner, a dress for the horse-races this weekend... nothing suspicious or out

of the ordinary). The total came to $158.68 which was fine with me as I currently have well over

$2000 in my account. I am waiting for my new check card to be sent to me in the mail and in the

meantime have been having to write checks for my purchases. As I wrote the check to the cashier

I even joked "wow, I haven't written one of these in so long I wonder if I still know how". When she

put my check into the scanner, it came back denied. I thought there was a mistake since I had just

checked my bank balance before leaving the house. I wondered if the newer check scanners

required you to be at a certain balance to write a check so I called my husband from the store and

had him a deposit enough money to bring our balance to the nearest thousand-mark. The cashier

re-ran the check and it was still denied. I was upset as now I looked like someone trying to pass a

bad check in front of the entire line of people. The cashier could see I was upset and gave me the

number of certegy so I called them. I spoke with associate Derion who told me that he could see

that I had no negativity associated with my account but that because of their guidelines on

fraudulent activity, my check fell into a gray area of possible fraud. I am paraphrasing because he

recited a long script that I cannot remember word for word. I told him that I appreciated the fraud

protection but that I had my valid drivers license with my picture proving I am who I say I am and

was more then willing to give my blessing for them to call Bank of America to verify that I had

sufficient funds to write the check. He said none of that mattered. I asked him what I was

supposed to do and he told me to use alternate payment. I explained that I was waiting on a new

check card which is the only reason I was writing a check to begin with and he said that was

probably why I was flagged. He said I should create positive check-writing history by making

smaller purchases before trying to make such a large purchase. (I feel sorry for Derion if he

considers $158 a large purchase- before this fiasco I would drop three times that at Target without

batting an eyelash). I asked him if I should just cancel my sale and then make several smaller

sales to Target so my checks were for smaller amounts and he became very angry and brusque

with me so I asked for his manager since I refuse to be spoken to rudely when I have done nothing

wrong. At this time quite a line has formed behind me and with the cashier holding my check and

me looking distraught on the phone it looks to them as if I am some deadbeat writing bad checks

or worse- a fraud! I am beyond humiliated. I can handle mad. Or sad or even embarrassed. But no

honest, kind person should have to feel humiliation while simply trying to write a check for dinner

and a dress. I felt myself beginning to cry so I apologized profusely to the cashier and left the

store, still on hold for Derion's manager. Halfway home he finally came on and I calmly explained

the entire situation to him only to have him read the same script that Derion had. When I probed

deeper as to why I was flagged he told me that their system creates "profiles" of fraudulent activity

and that my check- although he admitted there was no negativity associated with it- fit that

"profile". I told him I was fairly disgusted that because I was wrongly "profiled" to be a fraud that I

had to endure public humiliation. I began to cry and ended the phone call. I was so upset returning

home that my husband thought I had been in an accident. He urged me to write to you even though

I just wanted to cry and forget what had happened. I am a mother of two. I am honest, have good

credit, and am a LONG time Target shopper. I would gladly let you scan my bank card to bring up

my purchases the way they do at customer service sometimes when I forgot my receipt for a

return. You would see that I literally spend thousands of dollars at your stores each year. (I know

everyone probably says that- but ask my sometimes grouchy husband- he loathes to hear that I am

off to Target'). I am a regular person and very much a picture of your customers at large. And I

have been wrongly embarrassed, humiliated and shamed by a company that you choose to do

business with. A simple google search shows that I am one of hundreds, if not thousands that

have had this very same experience (not just at target, but wherever this nefarious company is

contracted). I don't ask you to fire them or find a new check-clearing company as I know that

refitting the stores with new equipment and the legalities of whatever contract you have with them

would prevent that even if my one email were enough to change your mind (which I don't pretend it

to be). But I do ask you to TALK to them. Ask them- no, you are probably one of their biggest

clients so- DEMAND that they find a back up plan for people like me. If I were really a fraud or

writing a bad check, I would not have taken the time to call and put myself on recording with them.

My license and SS# and bank info should have cleared this check. The fact that you (and yes,

unfortunately I now lump you with them as you chose them to do your check-clearing) sent a young

mother home in tears when she did nothing more than attempt to spend her money in YOUR store

is unconscionable. I write this hoping that I will be that 1000 email regarding this that triggers you

to actually DO something about this Certegy company and the horrible way they treat your

customers. "

During processing of my check to Cracker Barrel, Cracker Barrel's local bank processed the first two digits of routing number as a 2-8 instead of 2-9, so my check was never submitted to my bank for proper withdrawl of funds. Instead of checking into the matter, Cracker Barrel sent the check to Certegy to the Certegy Payment Recovery Services, Inc. for collections. Certegy has sent a threatening letter and made several "debt collection" calls, all threatening, in that I will never be able to open an accound nor cash a check unless I now pay them the orginal $20.67 plus their collection fee of $30.00 for a grand total of $50.67! I have sent them certified letters proving my innocence in this whole matter and went personally to Cracker Barrel's local bank and restaurant. Still waiting for the issue to be resolved!
My husband and I are getting the word out as best we can and are afraid to write a check, from an accound we have had since 1985! From now on, we use cash and no longer eat at Cracker Barrel -- we eat out a lot as both work long hours.

Upon going to Dunham's Sporting goods last night to make purchases for my son to begin the H.S. baseball season, I wrote a check for 105 and change. Check was denied...I was fired up instantly with embarrassment with other customers waiting in line behind me. Not to mention we frequent there often. Knowing I had 10X the amount in the bank than I had written the check for and have never bounced a check - I told the store I guess they will lose my business. So then I travel to Factory Brand Shoes to make my purchase there instead and low in behold they use certegy also and again my check for 73 and change is denied. Both stores give me a code 2 and tell me to call an 800 number. Factory Brand Shoes was kind enough to let me use their phone right then and there to try to find out what was going on. after 20 mins on hold and listening to automated crap I hung up and had to leave my purchase. 40 mile trip wasted. Came home called the 800 number back and waited and waited finally got someone on the phone and they tell me they have no negative info on my acct - well no ###! Told me it would be ok to write checks now and recommended that I fill out a gold member form - they tell me it is not going to cost me any fees and will prevent this from happening in the future...So today I left before the banks open, on my short lunch period with checkbook in hand go back to Factory Brand Shoes to get my purchase they so kindly held overnight for me...and they ask if I got the mess from the night before cleared up - I said yes they told me I was good to go! So I proceed to write a new check out and I'll be damned if CERTEGY didn't deny it again! I don't have credit cards and I don't play the lottery - I figure if I can't pay cash then I don't really need it - now I have a checking account to pay the bills and unexpected expenses and such when a bank is not open or I don't have immediate access to one - CERTEGY has no clue what they are doing - I think their computers just reject every check out there - When I asked who is going to reimburse me for the 3 trips I had to make to make one purchase the response I got was you could fill out a gold member form to prevent this from happening in the future...totally avoided the fact of all the wasted gas for 3 trips totaling 120 miles with no explanation and no negative activity once so ever...BAD BAD BAD Company - no apologies for the embarrassment for 2 days in a row either...I am ok with having checks certified by someone but come on this company just has no clue...

I had been declined in October for writing a check for "fitting a computer module for possible fraud" and having nothing negative associated with my account, or check writing history.

Then why decline me if I have no negative history.

Their answer was to fill out an application to achieve "elevated VIP" check writing status with their firm, that still has no guarantee that I will not be humiliated again by having my check declined.

Out shopping yesterday for maternity clothes, I was declined again, for the same reason. My husband tried to purchase with a check right after me for the maternity clothes, and he too was declined.

I was given the same answer, nothing negative reflected on my account, in fact, they stated I had an extensive history with their clients. After having my bank contact them, I too was told they elevated me to VIP status, but that again, does not mean that I will not be declined again.

These people need to be shown that they cannot get away with humiliating us, with no good reason, by declining our checks. I will cease my business with their clients, until they too get the message that I/ We will not stand for being treated this way.

I ordered merchandise by mail from NorthStyle and paid by check. Today I received in the mail the order form back, my check was stapled to it wihtout comment from NorthStyle. Enclosed was double side printed slip (3 1/4in x 3in) from Certegy:

----------------------------------------------------------------
Page 1
Dear Customer:
We are sorry that your check could not be authorized based, in whole or in part, on information provided by Certegy Check Services, Inc. ("Certegy"), and/or Certegy's need for additional information. We value your business and apologize for the inconvenience.

To protect your privacy, we receive no personal information when Certegy does not authorize acceptance of a check. A code number is provided in order to convey the reason Certegy did not authorize your check. These codes and their meanings are as follows:

CODE 1 - In most instances this is based upon negative information on file, usually prior unpaid checks.
CODE2 - Although no unpaid check information is on file, Certegy did not have sufficient information available to approve the transaction, or this transaction exceeded a pre-established limit.
CODE3 - The format of the identification presented did not conform to government established guidelines for a valid ID.
(Over Please)
EQ100
[protected]

Page 2

Certegy Check Services, Inc ("Certegy") provides check authorization and warranty services to merchants and business nationwide. You have the right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to know the information contained in your file at Certegy. You also have a right to a free copy of your check transactions file from Certegy if you request it within sixty (60) days after you receive this notice. In addition, that any information contained in the file from Certegy is inaccurate or incomplete, you have a right to dispute it with Certegy.

(bold face) You may call Certegy toll free at [protected], or write to Certegy Check Services, P.O.Box 30046, Tampa, FL [protected].

If you contact Certegy, please provide the following information so they can respond promptly to your request:

*Your Full Name and Current Address
*Driver's License (or State ID) Number and State
*Telephone Number
*Check Number
*Check Amount
*Checking Account Number
*Name of Financial Institution
*Date When Check Declined

For employee training and evaluation purposes, your telephone call may be monitored

:certegy (about 16pt)

-----------------------------------------------

I used a pre-printed personal check, amount $348.70. It contains all the requested information, except the drivers license number. Sent on 1/30/09.
The date when it was declined was nowhere marked, but the envelope from NorthStyle was metered on Feb 5 2009. My check was NOT endorsed by NorthStyle.
I write approximately 200 checks per year, same bank for 20+ years, this was the FIRST NOT ACCEPTED. NorthStyles order blank provided for check payment.

Wrote all this down for some legal person to take up the case.
Hebnman

I will not waste the time with certegy and NorthStyle and watch out in the future.

These jerks sent me a letter about my check to a gas station that bounced because of a late deposit and gave me 30 days (In the letter) to dispute their claim.

Now, less than 10 days later and after they redeposited the check which cleared they pushed through an ACH draft for the money.

What happened to my 30 days?

I will say that if the companies that use this bunch of crooks for their collection ever got their names published I would make sure to take my business elsewhere. As it is I just fond out that WalMart uses them. I usually purchase more than $1000 a month at WalMart, but no more. There are 3 hardware stores in my town and 4 other grocery stores that would actually appreciate my business.

My husband wrote a check to Target for $33. At that time his checking account had approx $20000. in it. Target took the check. One month later he tried to write a check at Home Depot -- they refused the check and handed him a little yellow"Dear Customer" card. He called the 866 number. The Target check had apparently bounced. He called his bank. Not only had his check not bounced, they'd never seen it. In the meantime I wrote a check at Ralph's. It was declined -- little yellow card, etc. We called Target. Turns out they'd mis-entered a number and this had raised flags with Certegy. Did Target offer to correct the problem? Well, not until 3 business days -- so our account is frozen while they sort out THEIR mistake. Calls to Target Customer service get you someone in India who refers you back to the number you called in the first place. Calls to Certegy get you a robot. The amount of frustration energy and time devoted to this problem has impacted our whole family. And we don't know if they've reported any of this to the Credit Score Companies, thus screwing up our credit. If there's a class action suit against Certegy, SIGN ME UP. Same for Target. AND I WILL NEVER SHOP THERE AGAIN.

I was purchasing medication for my mother at our local Walgreens. They declined my check for 86.00. Upon contacting Certegy I was informed that there was nothing wrong with my check but rather I didnt meet thier profile and they could not reverse thier computers decision. I have contacted walgreens management and will never do business with them again. Please let people know that Certegy is a terrible business investment.

My check was declined. I had more than enough funds available to cover the check. No one at the store could tell me why my check was declined. I could not reach a live person at Certegy to answer my questions. I will refuse to do business with any company that uses this company and I would request that others exercise the same practice. This was completely unacceptable practice. My check was absolutely, 100% good and I have outstanding credit. I have never been so embarrassed in all of my life!

I attempted to write a check at my local grocers. I have been shopping in this Fallbrook, CA Albertsons for 15 years. I was given the phone number for Certigy Services as they were the new company being used by Albertsons for check guarantee. After contacting them they informed me I had a return check from Shaws Grocers in the amount of $60.00. California does not have Shaws Grocery Stores. They are located in Maine or Massachusettes.

After agreeing that the checking account the check was written on was not mine and the name on the check was not my name, they instructed me to fax them an Affidavit of Fraud, which I did on the very same day. 6 phone calls and 4.5 hours later (over a period of 4 weeks) and I am still in their NSF check file. I work in the legal profession and asked them if they were a Corporation and they told me NO. They are of course. I will be filing a lawsuit against them for Bad Faith Collection practices.

My wife and I went to MC Sports to buy some Christmas presents. The checking account we used is one funded by our Christmas club so it is not a frequent use account. We bought $196 and went to pay with a check. They called the geniuses at Certegy who promptly denied my wife's purchase siting reason 2. We then used my drivers license number for the exact same transaction and it was approved. I called them to understand this and got the runaround on the risk profile etc all of which made no sense given the only change to get the transaction approved was a male versus a female license number.

I don't know why people continue to be embarrassed by this organization but it seems to me that they have little understanding how this works and even less ability to discern high from low risk.

Here it is the biggest shopping day of the year...black Friday and I have a cart full of Christmas goodies for all my little loved ones and Certegy Check Services decides that they are going to decline my check at K-mart. I was filled with so many emotions, ranging from complete disbelief to rage. There was absolutely nothing wrong with my check, but because of profiling, it was declined. I have NEVER been so humiliated and embarrassed in my life. If stores like K-mart and who only knows who else continue to use a crap company like Certegy to process their checks, they will be sure to lose customers. I certainly hope that no one else was as disappointed as I was today. If dealing with all the chaos that goes on in the stores on this particular day was not enough, having my check declined certainly finished me off.

Hi,
I would like to complaint about Certegy, this evening my husband and me we went to ''bed bath &beyond'' to buy a product.
I was really surprised when my debit card couldn'd be used, after a lot of essays.
At the end i used my check, and the system asked for checking.
So i learned that certegy refused my check, i have credit on my bank but my check was refused.
My husband asked them how they process, they only do statistics.
A lot of parameters, like the number of the check, the name of the company, the hour that you bought your product, ... and they do statistic to refuse of accept your check.

It's a really nonsense!

I was just declined for a $20 check I wrote to Maurices, a company I have been writing checks to for years. I am a manager for the bank that I wrote the check off of and know that the funds were available in the acct. I was humiliated in front of my boss, who was with me shopping. I was told by the clerk to call an 800 number, which by the way its impossible to get in touch with a live human being! The automated system told me they could not give a specific reason as to why the check was declined. Now don't get me wrong, Im all for identity theft protection, but this is ridiculous! Something has got to be done to avoid future embarrassment for the consumer who is not at fault.

When I tried to write a check at Shaw's Supermarket in Littleton, NH for $47, it was declined. I shop at this store at least once a week - correction, I USED to, I will not step foot into this store again! They gave me a "little blue card" with Certegy phone number and some "Dear Valued Customer" stuff. When I called, I was informed that I did not match MY checking account's profile.

I usually use my debit card (which Certegy wouldn't make any money on), however, I had left it at home, so I thought, with my Shaw's card, I would write a check. This goes so far beyond "wrong", it's Profiling at it's best (or perhaps worst). Certegy informed me that they process checks for approximately 75% of buisnesses nationwide - pretty scarey to me. I will be doing my homework and will NOT shop at these businesses.

If there is any action against them, count me in!