Because my former credit union returned a check instead of paying less than a dollar, I am now listed in the fatal ChexSystems and also got a judgement against me from the merchant (I never even was served and didn't know until last week, this all happened in 1998). I cannot get any form of account. I want a simple savings account and six banks declined me...either for Equifax or ChexSystems. What on earth can I do? I want to be responsible with my money and I feel punished.
Go to http://www.checksystembytes.com and they might be able to help you. As to the judgement, that too can be worked out. Just send me and email and I will refer you to a friend of mine who handles such things all the time. He is not an attorney, but he knows more law than a half-a-dozen attorneys. It sounds to me like your judgement problem should be easy for him to solve.
Author -- If you want to save a few bucks over atty's fees, try this first: First Step- get a copy of the judgement file from the courthouse that issued the judgement (it's noted on your credit report) May cost $5-$10.00. In the file there will be something called a notice of service, this is where whomever served you noted the address and in some instances, the appropriate signatures. Second Step - File a motion to vacate because you were never served. Bring whatever proof you have (if you moved or something like that). Court notifies you and plaintiff of hearing date. Show up. Third Step - Judge vacates motion on basis of improper service, and either sets new trial date or hears the plaintiffs case right then and there. Fourth Step - You didn't mention the $$$ amount of the judgement and what state your're in (I'm in California, so procedures may be slightly different.) In all probability, once the original judgement is vacated, you can work out a settlement with the plaintiff and file a joint motion to dismiss with prejudice. Fifth Step - Court clerk will send you an Order Vacating the Judgement. Send copies of this to the credit bureau(s), and they will delete it. As part of your settlement, you may ask that the plaintiff withdraw the info from ChexSysytems, but I'm really not that familiar with that system. DISCLAIMER I'm not an atty, and I don't play one on tv. This is how I got my judgement removed, and if yours is for a smaller amount, it is probably faster (6 - 10 weeks from jump street) and cheaper than trying to have it done by a credit repair clinic or attorney. There are people on this board who will say 'don't pay them a dime no matter what you do', and while I don't agree with that all the time, that's their opinion and fortunately we are all entitled to one (or several). Good luck with whatever you choose.
I had an automatic insurance premium bounce on an account that latter closed. I never realized this happened until I went to open a new account. It took the research department of the original bank two days to figure out what they had reported. The solution was to pay the bounce fee and check amount and let them correct problem with Chex system as we agreed. Problem solved.
There are people on this board who will say 'don't pay them a dime no matter what you do', and while I don't agree with that all the time, that's their opinion and fortunately we are all entitled to one (or several). Ahhh! But you are talking about an entirely different situation here. When it is advocated that one not pay a crying dime, it is not advocated that such a stance be taken in the case where a judgement is in force. It is only advocated when the indebtedness has not yet reached the stage you are talking about here. In the type of situation which you discuss, your suggestions are indeed applicable where such advice as you "don't agree with all the time" is not the least bit applicable. Have a nice one. good post.
I'm using netbank right now and I'm not real happy with them because it takes them at least a week or more to get a deposit in and get it in your account if you send it in by mail. I am not happy with them at all for that reason. They work, but not all that good. I never got them because of trouble getting accounts somewhere else. I was a compubank customer and netbank bought them out.
I didn't care for them either. A while back they were offering $150 if you would open an account with them, so I did. I never got squat out of them. They sent out a lot of emails telling everybody that all you had to do to get the $150 was to open an account. And nothing. I figure that if they are that unscrupulous, then they must not be good people to do business with. The one I think I might like to move over to is Security First National Bank. Been thinking about it for a long time, but just never did make the move yet. I have accounts with a lot of different banks all over. Most of them are what I consider to be just local banks although they do have an online presence. Most banks do anymore, and if they don't have a decent online facility, I won't do business with them. I have two here in Oklahoma City. One of them is real nasty to do business with, but I have been with them for so long that I just stay with them anyway simply because they are convenient but I have the minimum possible contact with them. The other is one that many folks might be interested in because they are pretty easy to get a credit card from and they are nice folks to do business with. That one is called Arvest Bank. Their credit card division is in Norman, Ok and they put up little kiosks in Wal-Mart and other places looking to do business and issue credit cards. They give an increase after a year of doing business with them and paying in a timely fashion. They don't add any outrageous fees if you go over the limit and they don't whang you if you are a day or two late paying. Their interest rates are a bit lower than most too. They don't have an on-line presence yet but say they are working on it. Maybe by next year. If they had an on-line banking facility, I'd think about moving from the nasty over to them, but they don't have any branches near my home, so they would not be all that convenient. If anybody wants to try for one of their credit cards, just send me an email and I will give you their phone number and mailing addy and you can see what you get. I won't make any promises about what you will get or how easy they are, just my experience that I got one real quick when my credit was not all that hot, so maybe you can too. Other than that recommendation, rots a ruck.
I've got some news...Wachovia called me today and said they were too hasty in their denial letter and want to help me even though I'm on ChexSystems. They are supposed to call me before 1 and give me the info so I can make a savings deposit and if I got special approval for a checking account, as the ChexSystems incident is about 3-4 years old. The lady was very nice, I hope they can help me.
just how long does stuff remain on Check systems? I thought that they had a shorter reporting rule. Anyone?
When you get your next checking account.. and it will happen... think "overdraft protection" Always a nice thing to add to the account ... just in case. Dispute Chex reports too. Mine cleared on the first try and I was "guilty" as charged... I also got a TD Waterhouse acct while still on Chex.
I had a similar problem. Can you qualify for any credit union? I'm a member of Security Service (military credit union) and they let me open a savings account while I was getting this crap cleared up.
Most credit unions will open the door for you if you are a member of a certain group. For instance I am in an internet group HAL PC here in Houston. They also have a relationship with a credit union. If you have a small at home business, you can apply for a commercial account. Also try smaller banks. The insitutional ones are not so great.
It is 5 years according to Chex literature (for what that's worth). I have a 4+ years listed account. The rep told me just last week that it falls off in 5 years.
