Check Verification Companies
When you write a check, you may notice the merchant places your check into a machine, which prints information on the back. The machine connects to one of many check verification companies. These companies screen checks and check writers against massive databases of "bad check writers." Their "negative databases" determine if you have a history of bad checks; if you and your account are not in the database, the transaction is approved.
While you may seldom need to contact a check verification company directly, there are times when it may be necessary. One such time is when you believe you are the victim of identity theft. After learning of criminal activity (from your bank or other lender, a merchant, or even a collection agency), you should first contact the authorities. Then you should begin notifying everyone in your financial universe: the three credit bureaus, creditors affected by the fraud, debt collectors, and banks.
If a check was involved in the fraud, you must also notify the check verification companies involved in the transactions. In most cases, you may contact the merchant who accepted the check to obtain the name and contact information of the verification company. However, since it may sometimes be difficult to obtain this information, the following list of the most popular check verification companies will aid you in making timely notification (and preventing further damage):
- CheckRite: 800-766-2748
- Chexsystems: 800-428-9623
- CheckCenter/CrossCheck: www.cross-check.com ; 800-552-1900
- Certigy/Equifax: 800-437-5120
- International Check Services (ICS): 800-526-5380
- Shared Check Authorization Network (SCAN): 800-262-7771
- TeleCheck: www.telecheck.com ; 800-710-9898
- National Processing Company: www.npc.net ; 800-526-5380
- Capital Recovery Associates (CRA): 800-486-0955
In addition to identity theft, you may need to contact one (or several) of these companies if you believe your check was declined in error. If your bank informs you everything is fine on their end, contacting the check verification company is a good next step to solving the problem.
Check verification companies make processing checks fast and easy. Knowing how to contact them makes you a knowledgeable and empowered consumer.