What Is ChexSystems? | The Motley Fool (2024)

ChexSystems is a reporting agency that collects information about bank accounts in your name. When you apply for a new account, your bank or credit union may consider your ChexSystems report when deciding whether to approve you.

It serves the same function as a credit report does when you apply for a loan or credit card, but your ChexSystems report looks at different factors. You want to keep yours in good standing or you may have difficulty opening new bank accounts. Here's what you need to know about ChexSystems and how it can affect you.

Your ChexSystems report primarily focuses on negative marks associated with your current or past bank accounts, but there's other information in it as well. It contains:

• Identifying information: Your ChexSystems report contains some basic personal information like your name, date of birth, address, and phone number.
• Involuntary account closures: If your bank closes your account because you were suspected of committing fraud or wrote bad checks, this will show up in your ChexSystems report.
• Bounced checks and/or overdrafts: If you overdraw your account once or you have a single check bounce, it's probably not the end of the world. But if you do this repeatedly, your bank will likely report you to ChexSystems.
• Unpaid negative balances: If you owe your bank monthly maintenance or overdraft fees and fail to pay in a timely fashion, your bank will send you to collections and notify ChexSystems of your outstanding debt.
• Debit card and ATM misuse: Frequently exceeding your debit card's daily transaction limit or trying to deposit empty envelopes at an ATM will result in a card misuse notice on your report.
• Excessive account applications: Attempting to open several new bank accounts within a few weeks or months may raise some red flags and lead banks to think you're trying to commit fraud.
• Excessive debit card or check replacements: Banks may also get suspicious about your activity if you repeatedly request debit card or check replacements.

Basically, if your bank thinks you are trying to scam people or you frequently overdraw your account, you're probably going to run into trouble the next time you try to open a bank account.

Your QualiFile score is based on your ChexSystems report. This three-digit number ranges from 100 to 899, with a higher number being better. A low score suggests that you're more likely to commit fraud or to overdraw your account.

Every bank sets its own rules about what constitutes an acceptable score. If you fall below the bank's minimum score, you may not be able to open a bank account there.

It's possible to raise your QualiFile score, though this may not happen quickly. Most of the information in your ChexSystems report stays there for five years. Unless you can prove the negative marks in your report are inaccurate, you just have to wait for them to drop off.

ChexSystems is legally required to give you a free report every 12 months and whenever you've been turned down for a bank account within the last 60 days.

You can request your ChexSystems report via phone, fax, or mail, but the easiest method is filling out the online form on the ChexSystems website. Once you answer some identity verification questions, you'll be able to view your report immediately and save it if you'd like to come back to it later.

You can request your QualiFile score for free as well, but you can't get this online. You must fill out a paper form and fax or mail it to ChexSystems, which will then mail you your score within 15 business days of receiving your request.

Credit reports tend to focus on loan and credit accounts while ChexSystems reports focus on deposit accounts. But there are a few occasions where you may see some overlap between the two.

For example, if your bank sends you to collections because you haven't paid your outstanding bank fees, the collections account will show up on your credit report and your bank will likely report you to ChexSystems as well.

If you've been turned down for a deposit account, it may be because of a bad ChexSystems report. Pull yours and then decide on your next steps. You have the following options.

Open an account with a bank that doesn't use ChexSystems

Most banks and credit unions consult ChexSystems before approving new accounts, but not all of them do. Consider working with a bank that doesn't use ChexSystems if you can find one that offers an appealing account and has reasonable fees.

Look for a second-chance checking account

A second-chance checking account is a special kind of checking account designed for high-risk clients. These accounts may have higher fees that often can't be waived and may not allow you to write checks. But if you show that you can handle your money responsibly, your bank may upgrade you to a regular checking account in time.

Try to improve your ChexSystems report

You cannot get rid of legitimate negative information on your ChexSystems report, but you can stop doing the things that put those negative marks there in the first place. Here are a few tips:

• Set up overdraft protection: Many banks enable you to link your checking and savings accounts, so money automatically transfers from your savings account to your checking account if you try to withdraw more than you have in your checking account. This can help you avoid overdrafts on your ChexSystems report.
• Keep an eye on your account balance: Check your balance before making a withdrawal if you know you don't have a lot of money in your account to avoid overdrafts. If you know your account charges monthly fees, find out when these come out of your account every month so you can be prepared.
• Stay connected to your old bank after account closure: You might close a bank account and forget you have bills paid automatically from the now-defunct account. This can result in negative balances you're not even aware of. Provide your bank with updated contact information when you close your account so it can get in touch with you if any issues like this arise.

None of these things will improve your ChexSystems report overnight, but they can make a difference in time.

If you do pay off old debts, get a receipt from your old bank showing that you've done so. Some banks may be willing to work with you even if your ChexSystems report is bad if you can prove you've settled your debts.

Disputing an error in your ChexSystems report is similar to disputing an error in your credit report. Reach out to ChexSystems and the bank or credit union associated with the incorrect information and request that they correct the error. If you have proof that the information is wrong, like a copy of a receipt showing you've paid a debt that's still reported as outstanding, send a copy of this as well.

ChexSystems has up to 30 days (or 21 days for Maine residents) to investigate the matter from when it receives your request. If it determines the information listed in your report is accurate, it will stay as is. But if it determines that the information is wrong and could prohibit you from opening up a new bank account, it must correct the issue. This can take a little time, so you may have to wait a while before you can open your new bank account.

Even if you think your ChexSystems report is healthy, it never hurts to double-check, especially if you plan to apply for a new bank account in the near future. Doing so only takes a few minutes and it can save you a ton of hassle.