Most people become aware of ChexSystems after being denied the opportunity to open a bank account. Others may find out they have been blacklisted by ChexSystems when trying to pay for a purchase at a retailer. Either way, it’s pretty much the worst time to discover you’ve been unfavorably tagged by ChexSystems.
Disputing your “ChexSystems Disclosure Report” (that’s what ChexSystems calls it) can seem like a daunting task. Luckily, the process is pretty straightforward. As long as you follow the correct steps outlined here, ChexSystems must respond to your dispute in a timely manner (set forth by federal law) to resolve the problem. And they must respond in a very EXACTING way. This is where knowing the rules and the procedures will be a great advantage to you.
To learn more about the ChexSystems dispute process, see our post How To Get Out of ChexSystems.
- These letters are samples only and you will need to tailor them according to the circumstances of your case. If you are disputing with both ChexSystems and the bank, you will need to create separate letters for each and address them to the appropriate recipient.
- When sending letters to credit reporting agencies such as ChexSystems, always include a photocopy of your driver’s license, state-issued ID, or U.S. passport and a copy of your social security card, pay stub, W-2, or a recent utility bill. Only 2 forms of ID are required. As long as you have your name at the close of the letter, there is no requirement that you sign it.
1. Request for Verification, round 1
This is the first letter you will send to ChexSystems to initiate your dispute.
Your Name
Address
City, State Zip
SSN: 000-00-0000 | DOB: Month/Day/Year | Consumer ID: 00000000
ChexSystems, Inc.
7805 Hudson Rd., Ste. 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
To Whom It May Concern:
According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 609 (a)(1)(A), you are required by federal law to verify – through the physical verification of the original signed consumer contract – any and all accounts you post on a ChexSystems report. Otherwise, anyone paying for your reporting services could fax, mail, or email in a fraudulent account.
I demand to see the Verifiable Proof (an original consumer contract with my signature on it) you have on file of the account listed below. Your failure to positively verify this account has hurt my ability to obtain banking services. Under the FCRA, unverified accounts must be removed and if you are unable to provide me a copy of the verifiable proof, you must remove the account listed below.
Please verify the following account or remove it immediately.
EXAMPLE 1: Account Closed by Bank
Source of Information: Insert source from your report
Reported For: Insert issue from your report
EXAMPLE 2: Unpaid Check
Payee: Insert Merchant Name
Amount of Check: Insert Amount of Check
Sincerely,
Your Name
2. Request for Verification, round 2
Use this letter if your initial dispute results in a generic “verification” of the negative item and ChexSystems is not able to provide copies of the documents with your signature.
Your Name
Address
City, State Zip
SSN: 000-00-0000 | DOB: Month/Day/Year | Consumer ID: 00000000
ChexSystems, Inc.
7805 Hudson Rd., Ste. 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
To Whom It May Concern:
Please be advised this is my SECOND WRITTEN REQUEST. The unverified item listed below remains on my ChexSystems report in violation of Federal Law. You are required under the FCRA to have a copy of the original source documentation on file to verify that this information is mine and is correct. In the results of your first investigation, you stated in writing that you “verified” that these items are being “reported correctly”.
I demand to know who verified these accounts, and the method of verification. Please also be advised that a verbal confirmation from {name of bank} does not suffice as proof of validation. If this matter is not resolved within the next fifteen (15) business days, I will take further steps to preserve my rights.
I am hereby exercising my right under FCRA 611 (a)(7) to request a complete description of all methods used to investigate my aforementioned dispute. Again let me repeat, you have NOT provided me a copy of ANY original documentation required under Section 609 (a)(1)(A) and Section 611 (a)(1)(A) (a consumer contract with my signature on it).
The law is very clear as to the civil liability and the remedy available to me for “negligent noncompliance” (Section 617) if you fail to comply.
Please verify the following account or remove it immediately.
EXAMPLE 1: Account Closed by Bank
Source of Information: Insert source from your report
Reported For: Insert issue from your report
EXAMPLE 2: Unpaid Check
Payee: Insert Merchant Name
Amount of Check: Insert Amount of Check
Sincerely,
Your Name
3. Request for Verification, round 3
You are now 90-100 days into your dispute. Stay strong, because ChexSystems is showing you their very best stall tactics. Stay motivated and keep sending the dispute letters. Customize the template, as needed.
Your Name
Address
City, State Zip
SSN: 000-00-0000 | DOB: Month/Day/Year | Consumer ID: 00000000
ChexSystems, Inc.
7805 Hudson Rd., Ste. 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
To Whom It May Concern:
Please be advised this is my THIRD WRITTEN REQUEST. The unverified item listed below remains on my ChexSystems report in violation of Federal Law. You are required under the FCRA to have a copy of the original source documentation on file to verify that this information is mine and is correct. In the results of your first investigation, you stated in writing that you “verified” that these items are being “reported correctly”.
I demand to know who verified these accounts, and the method of verification. Please also be advised that a verbal confirmation from {name of bank} does not suffice as proof of validation. If this matter is not resolved within the next fifteen (15) business days, I will take further steps to preserve my rights.
I am hereby exercising my right under FCRA 611 (a)(7) to request a complete description of all methods used to investigate my aforementioned dispute. Again let me repeat, you have NOT provided me a copy of ANY original documentation required under Section 609 (a)(1)(A) and Section 611 (a)(1)(A) (a consumer contract with my signature on it).
The law is very clear as to the civil liability and the remedy available to me for “negligent noncompliance” (Section 617) if you fail to comply.
Please verify the following account or remove it immediately.
EXAMPLE 1: Account Closed by Bank
Source of Information: Insert source from your report
Reported For: Insert issue from your report
EXAMPLE 2: Unpaid Check
Payee: Insert Merchant Name
Amount of Check: Insert Amount of Check
Sincerely,
Your Name
4. Demand for Removal Letter
You will send this letter to ChexSystems or the bank if you do not receive a response to your Request for Verification letter within 30 days (21 days for Maine residents). If ChexSystems does not respond to you within 30 days of receiving your dispute letter, it is legally obligated to remove the negative record from your report.
You will send this letter to ChexSystems or the bank if you do not receive a response to your Request for Validation letter within 30 days (21 days for Maine residents). If ChexSystems does not respond to you within 30 days of receiving your dispute letter, it is legally obligated to remove the negative record from your report.
You can read a summary of your consumer rights under the FCRA, which will serve you well in your case as well as if you decide to take legal action.
Date
Your Name
Address
City, State Zip
SSN: 000-00-0000 | DOB: Month/Day/Year | Consumer ID: 00000000
ChexSystems, Inc.
7805 Hudson Rd., Ste. 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
Fax: (602) 659-2197
In a letter dated [date of the first letter], I requested that you correct the following information in my ChexSystems report:
EXAMPLE 1: Account Closed by Bank
Source of Information: Insert source from your report
Reported For: Insert issue from your report
EXAMPLE 2: Unpaid Check
Payee: Insert Merchant Name
Amount of Check: Insert Amount of Check
To date, I have not received confirmation that you have done so. As thirty (30) days have now passed, this letter is my formal demand that this item be removed from the ChexSystems database. Please note that your failure to do so violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Please immediately send confirmation of the deletion to the address above. If I do not hear from you within ten (10) business days, I am prepared to take legal action to remedy the situation.
Sincerely,
Your Name
