A few weeks back, I had a check returned for NSF to a Grocery Store because there had been an unauthorized purchase by a different merchant which caused my checking account to have insufficient funds for the check. The check was redeposited a 2nd time less than a week later and cleared with no issues. I never heard from Telecheck or the Grocery Store and figured it was done and over with.

Yesterday I attempted to purchase groceries from Lowes foods and my check was declined. I immediately called Telecheck but was rerouted to TRS -- their debt collection department. I informed them that the check had already cleared my bank account and that I had no outstanding debts to Telecheck or any other merchant. They advised me that unless I paid the full amount of the check plus the 25.00 NSF fee, all future checks that I attempted to pay with would be declined. They also indicated that it would be at least 2 calendar weeks before their systems would be updated to show that the original check had been paid ... if it had indeed been paid. They were extremely rude and accusatory.

I was transferred back to Telecheck and spoke to 3 levels of supervisors. The 3rd finally advised me to fax a copy of my banking transactions that showed that the check had been paid to their resolution team and that would expedite the process of getting my "status" cleared. I did that.

I called Telecheck today and they indicated their "system" still showed the check as unpaid and there was no way to "speed up the process". I asked if I paid the "debt" directly to Telecheck, would they lift the "ban" on my checks. They said I would have to talk to their debt collection department. I was transferred back over there and asked if I paid the amount they said they owed, how long would it take to update in their system and when would my checks start being approved again. They indicated within 24 hours. At that point, I was faced with a choice -- pay Telecheck and get my check-writing priveleges restored within 24 hours OR wait 2 weeks to 30 days while they "researched" my claim that the check had indeed been paid and have all attempts at paying by check declined. I asked if I paid Telecheck, what would happen to the amount that had already been deducted from my bank account. They indicated it would be refunded "within 30 days". I basically felt like I had no choice but to pay Telecheck directly because they completely control my ability to pay by check. So I paid them 108 bucks (the original 89 for the NSF check that had already been paid + 25 bucks for the "NSF" fee). I asked them at least 4 times when Telecheck would update their system and start approving checks again and was assured all 4 times that it would be within 24 hours.

I believe that having Telecheck as both the approver and the debt collector is a conflict of interest. They basically blackmail and blacklist you into paying or you can count on never being able to write another check -- regardless of what account it is because they will continue to decline you. If you want to have your checks approved, pay them NOW... even if it has already been resubmitted and paid to the original merchant.

I strongly doubt I will ever see the original 90 bucks back. I was also told that I will have to "start over" by proving myself since I have already had an NSF -- that I would have to write a series of small checks (less than 89 bucks) and build up gradually.

I have submitted complaints to CFPB as well as the FTC... the major credit reporting agencies are NOT collection agencies... They do not approve or deny you credit... however Telecheck does approve or deny you the ability to pay by check. For individuals with limited credit options, this puts a disproportionate burden on them since they have no other option but to carry around vast amounts of cash to cover their purchases. If your debit card has been compromised, you have no way of getting additional cash on holidays and weekends.

How Telecheck can be allowed to function without ANY regard or oversight and how they can be permitted to blackmail and collect money multiple times for the same purchase is beyond me. I can't understand how they are permitted to operate with such an obvious lack of oversight, conflict of interest and absolute total power and control over consumer's ability to purchase goods and services.

I have sent an email to an attorney in my state to inquire about a class action suit against Telecheck but frankly, I do not remain optimistic. These complaints have been going on for over 6 years and nothing has changed.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go write a check for a 1 dollar pack of gum and see if Telecheck, in their extreme "beneficence" will allow my check to clear. I'll have to repeat that process for about 6 months before I'm actually able to buy a reasonable amount of groceries in one trip. However, here is my form of protest. I will be going to every store, fill up my cart and I will attempt to purchase by check. When it is declined, I will simply walk out of the store and leave the cart there. I'll be sure to put frozen foods and perishable products in the cart that will go to waste. I can only hope that if this happens enough to enough grocery stores and they start to incur a cost due to Telecheck declining checks, then perhaps they will rethink their reliance on Telecheck. I guess the question is whether Lowes Food and Food Lion would rather take a chance on my check clearing or having to quickly return everything to the freezer and cooler and/or throw out the merchandise because it has been sitting out too long. After they lose enough money through wasted food and effort due to Telecheck's arbitrary and onerous approval process, perhaps the cost of having to use Telecheck will outweigh the cost associated with wasted products and staff effort resulting from Telecheck denials.

I was denied while shopping at local Lowe's Food store. It was the weekend, so I asked the cashier for cash back. I don't know if he miskeyed in wrong information that caused my check to be flagged. I went to another store, and my check was denied again. When I called Telecheck, he said my bank had frozen my account. I waited until Monday morning, and went to my bank. The Vice president checked my account, which was active, in great standing, and plenty of funds. She said she had around 2 customers every month this happens to. She called telecheck, with me in her office. Telecheck girl said, the account was not valid. The vice president assured her it was. it took around 2 hours for telecheck to verify my information. she never would say why my account was flagged. We spoke to telechecks supervisor next for an answer. she would only repeat that all information was verified and correct now, but the checks could be red flagged again . So I don't know when or how long before it happens again. I got cash out to use, and got a debit card to use. will only use checks to pay for bills I mail off. my weekend was totally miserable, as I did not have cash on me, and could not buy one thing at the grocery store, or anywhere for that matter. spent several hours at the bank. Telecheck wanted my account and routing number to the checks, my name, address, phone#, and drivers license#. I'm going to have to look into lifelock or some other company for protection to identify theft now. why hasn't this company been banned, why do the merchants keep it. it is a terrible company that targets everyone. sooner or later.

I'm looking to join a class action against telecheck. Who are they to stop us from spending our money when we have funds available. They where sued and lost for doing this by lying about the reason for the denials. The Fair Trade commission won the suit for 3.5 million know we the consumer must force the merchant to enforce the law. Please give me a good atty name my email is sams.40@ hotmail.com

On Nov.29, 2015 I wrote a check for $325.51 to Sam's Club # 6431. My check was accepted electronically and given back to me along with my receipt of purchases.
On Dec. 10, 2015 I received a letter from Telecheck indicating, "that the above mentioned merchant (Sam's) uses Telecheck's Electronic Check Acceptance Service to process its check payments. To successfully convert a paper check to an electronic item, the banking numbers along the bottom of the check must be read with a special check reader, and that information must be accurately transmitted to telecheck to ensure a complete transaction. Unfortunately, the transaction you authorized at the above merchant location cannot be completed because the banking information was not read correctly by the check reader. Telecheck cannot successfully complete the transaction."
They then provide a telephone number to contact upon receipt of the letter. At this point I contacted my bank and verified that the check did indeed clear and Sam's received payment for the check amount ($325.51) They provided me with a copy of the bank transaction, and made a copy of the letter I received from Telecheck.
The letter continues with an "apology for any inconvenience this incomplete transaction may cause and hope I view this situation as an isolated incident, which does not reflect negatively on the merchant or on Telecheck. The Telecheck Electronic Check Acceptance Service is a safe and secure payment method and we hope you continue to select electronically converted checks as your preferred payment option."
This is obviously a scam and YES it does reflect NEGATIVELY on Telecheck, as my bank confirmed this fact.

TeleCheck denied my check at Walmart and embarrassed me for no reason! To date, I've written to them twice and still they cannot supply the reason why my check was denied except to say it is up to me to review my credit file. There IS NO negative info in my credit file! I have exceptional credit. I want to jump on the class-action lawsuit against TeleCheck too!

We're building a barn and we needed 4 stall feeders that are only sold at Tractor Supply. Unfortunately TSC typically only keeps one feeder in stock per store, and it can take up to a month for the feeders to come in on special order. So we decided to drive from store to store buying one feeder at a time. When we got to the fourth store (after driving a couple of hundred miles) our check for $179.99 was denied. Amidst annoyed and disapproving looks from the customers waiting behind us in line, I called our bank, who assured the TSC cashier that we had adequate funds in our account, but the cashier still did not have the authority to accept the check. Then I called Telecheck, who said we had suspicious/potentially fraudulent activity on our account. Although I could barely understand the Telecheck rep's heavy accent, I think he said our purchases exceeded Telecheck's authority to approve (whatever that means). We've spent far more than that at one time at TSC in the past, so we assumed it was because we'd made four separate purchases at four different TSC stores in a single day. We could see how that might raise a red flag, but we thought once we explained the situation and the cashier confirmed that the bank said there were sufficient funds, all would be well. Wrong! The Telecheck rep asked us for all kinds of information about our account, where we live, our phone number, the names on our account, etc. Then he said he would "update" our account information and we should not write any more checks for 7 days. Is he kidding? This is our farm account and we are running a business! What was going to happen in 7 days that couldn't happen right then? We don't write checks for the farm off our personal accounts, but we had no choice in this case, to avoid delaying the construction of our barn. I appreciate the merchants' need to be cautious, and I assume Telecheck does prevent some fraudulent checks, but once a customer proves the check is good, why can't Telecheck override the denial and let the check go through? This would enable merchants to protect themselves without running off their good customers. Why don't merchants put pressure on Telecheck to implement an override procedure requiring, for example, certain validating data and Telecheck supervisor authorization?

denied my check wanted me to give them permission to call my bank to see if there were enough funds in my bank to cover.the check. they hung up on me three times and when i asked the last name of the people i was taking to they said they werent allowed to give me their last name but yet im expected to give my bank checking numbers and tele number..i will join in a lawsuite with any one who can get it started .

On November 2, 2015 I wrote a check for $265.34 for purchases at Best Buy in Williston, VT and provided my drivers license as proof of identity. My check was denied by Telecheck and I was unable to make my purchase. The clerk at the Best Buy check out suggested that I "probably have insufficent funds" as a reason for the denial. NOT TRUE - I had about 10 times the amount of the check in my checking account. I spoke to the manager at Best Buy who advised me they could do nothing. From the store I contacted Telecheck through the number printed out on the back of my check when it was denied. I was told that my checks were being denied because "you have insufficient history of writing checks." They also told me that this was the fourth time I had been denied (I was denied paying by check while on vacation at a Best Buy in North Carolina in August, 2015, a check written to WalMart in North Carolina September 2015, and a check written to Marshalls in Williston, VT in September 2015.) This was the first time I was aware that I had been denied at the previous stores because at the time I was told that they couldn't process the checks because "our system is down."

After leaving Best Buy I went to my bank and asked them for assistance. They spoke to their Customer Service rep, who stated that yes, I had plenty of money in my account. The Customer Service rep contacted Telecheck using the same number I had used to contact them, and were told that I had a history of bounced checks and that was why they denied my check. That was completely untrue, and my bank confirmed that I had not bounced any checks, nor ever had a check presented and paid or denied for insufficient funds.

My bank suggested that I contact Telecheck again and request a letter in writing that outlines their rationale for denying my checks at the merchants listed about. This time I spoke to a woman, who spoke extremely fast and whom I had difficulty understanding. Like the first Telecheck employee she had a very difficult (for me) to understand Hispanic accent. I asked her several times to slow down her speech as I had difficulty understanding her. She became annoyed with me and continued to speak rapidly. I asked her repeatedly to send me written verification of their denial of my checks and their rationale for the denial. Rather than agree she asked me numerous questions: "you were denied because you do not have sufficient check writing history with us;" (to which I responded with the question, how many checks must I write before there is "sufficient history" and "how do I establish sufficient history when you continue to deny my checks as payment." Additional questions put to me: "Is this a new account?" (NO) "Has your bank been sold to another bank;" (NO) "What is your license number?" (I had already provide that three times throughout this contact). More repetitive questions followed. I again asked for the letter. The response was "take down this reference number." I wrote the reference letter and asked the purpose of this number? There was no response. I asked when I could expect my letter from Telecheck. The response was "the next time write your check for a smaller about." I again asked when I could expect the letter. This time the response was "in about 30 days." I stated that this was unacceptable, reiterated that it was my intention to send the letter to Best Buy Corporate office and the Better Business Bureau. I doubt I will ever receive a letter.

In an online search I found many, many complaints about Telecheck, all with similar experiences. Some consumers stated that they were charged $25.00 following a denial of their check for purchases that goes directly to Telecheck. I also learned that this company has a legal judgement against them for just this kind of behavior (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/01/telecheck-pay-35-million-fair-credit-reporting-act-violations). So exactly WHY is this outrageous behavior continuing? I cannot believe that merchants are happy with this. They are losing business because of it. I informed Best Buy today that as long as they continued to use Telecheck I would no longer make any purchase from them.

This company is ridiculous. Something needs to be done, I am going to complain to the BBB, and the Attorney General. Hopefully I can get something done. I am 50 years old. I have been writing checks at the grocery store for years. I had an issue with my checking account in august 2015. It was my fault. To make a long story short I have a check returned for 105.00. I took care of the issue right away, the check got sent through again and it was fine, I paid the 30.00 because it was my fault, I'm human and I admit my mistake. Nobody had to call me on the phone or send me letters, as soon as I saw it was an issue I called everyone and took care of it right away. I have since gone to the grocery store and wrote two checks, small amounts one was 30 something and one was 40 something. I went last night because I needed a few things and the total was 118 and change. They denied my check. I felt like a complete ass. I called the 800 which I agree is unbelievable and you know what their reasoning was for denying my check. "Because it fell out of the guidelines of what they allow for me to write a check".......really....what THEY ALLOW. I am 50 years old. I have never had issue writing a check, I screwed up 1 time....just once, and I fixed the issues and now I have to be allowed to write a check in the amount of 118.00 It doesn't matter I pay my rent by check every month without an issue etc. On top of all that, they never send you a letter explaining any of this. So you never know until you make a complete fool out of yourself. They should be sued and please add me to the list because I want to make sure something is done about them.

We opened a new checking account 3 months ago, there had been fraudulent activity regarding our old account. The first check 2 weeks after opening the account went to the supermarket that I've been patronizing for 20 plus years and the check was declined, but the debit card was approved!!! They are linked to the same bank!! If there was a lack of credit history why accept my debit card? Second time, no problem, third time a problem and when you call the 800# it's like putting your head in a vice!! WTF!! I am behind angry with these morons and there needs to be a solution to this issue.........Is there a lawsuit? if so, sign me up and if there is a fee I'll write a check!

Telecheck did not present my check for payment to my bank, they flagged it after it was approved by the store. Then sent to TRS collection agency. My bank sent a document stating that my account is and always has Bee in good standing and active. This has been going on for three years. I want and need this to stop. It not only effects my personal account, but our business account as well.

Please add me to the class action lawsuit against telecheck. My email address is [email protected]. I am tired of telecheck telling me I can not spend my money.

I would also like to be in on the class action lawsuit against telecheck. My email address is [email protected] and I have also had it with this company telling me I can't spend my money.

I work at the Colorado Springs State Bank a branch of Herring Bank our main bank is located in Amarillo Texas but our branch is in Colorado Springs Colorado several of the Colorado customers are being declined at various merchants. As the Colorado customers order new checks we are having them put the main banks routing number on them. I do not know if thsi is the cause of declines but these customers are good customers and should not be declined. I would like a Telecheck rep to call me so we can figure out how to solve this problem. Today a customer was declined at Bed Bath and Beyond and also American Eagle

My name is Marge Davis with the Colorado Springs State Bank

ph. 719-473-2000 on MST 8 am to 5 pm

Thank you

Wrote a check to Sleep Country USA for more than $1500. It was denied based on information from Telecheck. They said it did not fit their security parameters since they had no information on me. I then used a credit card to complete the purchase. I was so upset that I later returned to the store and cancelled the order. To add insult to injury, I had to listen to a lecture by a Telecheck customer service rep. about writing a lot of small checks to build up my profile. How many people write a lot of checks these days? Also, all my future checks will go through the same scrutiny. Don't write a check to any store using Telecheck.




any store using Telecheck.

For the second time today, my check was declined in a grocery store - once last year and again today. When we called we were told it was declined because I had never written a check through TeleCheck. My question is - how can I get approval from TeleCheck for my check written to a grocery store if I've never used TeleCheck before? This problem seems impossible to understand.

Apple Computers uses Telecheck as a check guarantee company.
If you are a new small business, Telecheck does not have your company loaded in their system.
Apple had me get on a phone call with Telecheck to identify the reasons for their rejection of a perfectly good check.
Telecheck made the same claim that others on this board have posted... "you have no history."
Excuse me?
But who the hell are you to talk with me about my new small business history?
You have no position in the relationship between me and Apple other than what Apple Executives are permitting you to take.
Then, I do some research while the Telecheck people keep me on the phone for 20 minutes.
Telecheck just agreed to a $3.5 million settlement for violations of FCRA rules.
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/01/telecheck-pay-35-million-fair-credit-reporting-act-violations

Quoting the US federal attorney complaint:
"The FCRA requires that, when a consumer attempts to pay by check at a merchant
that uses TeleCheck, and TeleCheck does not authorize the check, the merchant must provide the
consumer with a notice that, inter alia, (1) states that its decision not to accept the consumer’s
check was based on information that TeleCheck provided; (2) provides TeleCheck’s contact
information; (3) advises the consumer that they have a right to obtain a free copy of the
information TeleCheck has on file about them; and (4) advises the consumer that they are
entitled to dispute the accuracy of the information that TeleCheck has furnished about them. See
section 615(a) of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681m(a)."

A copy of the federal Dept. of Justice complaint is published by the US DOJ here:
http://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cases/140116telecheckcmpt.pdf

I was having problems with CVS and Giant vis a vis having Telecheck deny my checks initially, then I have to call and literally beg to have it accepted. Twice it had to do with a needed prescription. I had the same problem at Giant, but the first check was accepted, but the check for food right before Easter was denied! And this after they had accepted all my other checks, after much cajoling. (nothing 'bounced')

I had more than enough money in my checking account.

I keep hearing the same spiel: Not enough activity on your account (so I started to write more checks). Or, don't take this personally, it's not about credit rating or your bank balance, it is a formula to calculate risk. What does THAT mean? I am at the mercy of a FORMULA!

I am going to pursue this legally because it had been embarrassing and literally humiliating each time I have entered a CVS or Giant (which I will no longer patronize - regardless whether I have my card or cash. No problem with my local Safeway, or other stores. I suggest that others cease to purchase from stores using telecheck - perhaps we should compile a list?

This is just plain discriminatory against honest consumers.

Last night I went to the Rite Aid in Hickory. I wrote a check for $53 (Ihave thousands in account, don't bounce checks, have over draft protection, excellent credit, stable employment, and a current security clearance) The check was rejected by Telecheck - in front of about 25 other consumers..how humiliating. I received a slip of paper that states "they are taking this adverse action ..."
REALLY???? You are admitting to taking an ADVERSE ACTION against me?? Oh goodie...I called Telecheck.. the explaination was - it's not based on credit history, check writing history, checking account balance...in other words..your abiity to pay huh?? Is it because I am short? is it the Jewish last name?? Why would Rite Aid do business with a company that has sooo many complaints.. and trades on INACURRATE information???? My only conclusion here is... Rite Aid must NOT WANT CASH. Maybe they are looking to shed all but the credit card customers... Otherwise they wouldn't endorse these arbitrary and capricious practices. Many stores have the check processing abilities that verify balances, thus enabling them to provide good customer service. I smell something VERY fishy about this whole situation.

Lesson learned..I will only do business with stores who actually want customers.. Oh, and as far as law suits are concerned.. I see punitive damages..Defamation of Character

My check was declined for no reason. I have never had a check declined or had a check bounce. My credit score is over 750. I was embarrassed as if I had commmitted a crime. This practice of telecheck declining checks for no known reason. Is it becaus I live in Detroit or .. is it because I'm african american. Take your guess.. because it certainy wasn't because I was a high risk customer.

Why would anyone with a debit card use a check in this day and age? If you have issues with check companies blame all the crooks who caused businesses to have to protect themselves.

My wife and I moved from Indiana to Pennsylvania, secured a home loan with very high credit rating. We are both 65 years old and have been writing checks all our adult lives. Neither of us have had any trouble with credit, or checking accounts, until...Telecheck! Suddenly, merchants are denying our personal checks, on accounts with a local bank, who holds our mortgage and will readily vouch for us! But, that's of no importance as Telecheck says, "You do not fit our guidelines". I asked what "guidelines". They said, "You don't have enough history writing checks. We can't validate your check without more history on you". HUH?...
Telecheck added, before hanging up on me for the 4th time; "You just write more checks and pretty soon we'll be able to approve you." DOUBLE HUH?...
If they won't allow me to use my checks, how am I to develop a new record of writing checks on my new account? TRIPLE HUH?...
I've informed my bank's manager about this, filed a complaint with the Houston TX Better Business Bureau (home town of Telecheck) and begun to seek legal advise. Telecheck is not benign. It is a cancer, or virus, dedicated only to the destruction of it's host economy and personal/private commerce. I will do no business with any merchant, or service provider, who relies on Telecheck! And I'm seeking means to make my protest as loud, and broad, as possible. If there is a Class Action Suit, I'll join gladly. If not, I'll come back to let you all know if I'm able to get one started. Thanks! I really need to vent [email protected]

Telecheck declined our check yesterday March 20, 2012 at a Meijers store... I was humiliated because the money was in my account, and Telecheck told me that there were fraudulent checks wrote in my name on an account from my bank that closed in 2010!!! Telecheck... had demanded they could only talk to me... and they wanted me to fax them photo copies of not only my ID but my husbands license as well when we questioned why and that we wanted to run it by a lawyer first they then gave us a PO box number for the lawyer to check out... Okay NO!!! I called my bank there was no other account closed at my bank in my name. I don't know what Telecheck is trying to pull, so I contacted Meijer and the BBB. I am not a threat when it comes to writing bad checks I can't afford bad check fees so I know where my money is... sadly telecheck is shoddy in their practices and the companies that use them don't seem to mind losing business. I won't shop at Meijer anymore I do know that it was as humilating as I would think having a credit card refused. Sad day when an honest person can't write a check.

Attempted to pay for my $104 purchase at Wal-Mart with my personal check which was declined. This account had a several thousand dollar balance. I ended up using my debit card tied to the same account and of course it was accepted. I called Telecheck and after providing all the info she requested, I was told that somehow my check routing $'s and my account # got linked to someone else and she would correct it, but advised me not to try another check for 3 days until the computer system could update itself!

I drove 50 miles from my small town to that WalMart... what if I did not have a debit card or credit card to use in place of a personal check? I would have to drive home without my purchase, thats what would happen!! In the end I got my merchandise, but only after being humiliated in front of a long line of customers behind me. I am still burned about it!

There are so many merchants and service providers including doctors that use Telechex so if you have an issue with one of them, you won't be able to use a check at another merchant that also uses Telechex. What's worse is that if there is a problem, the merchant or provider more than likely will NOT be able to help you and you have deal with Telechex (and their collection agency, TRS Recovery) yourself. Even if it isn't your fault.

Here's my story. I went to my doctor and gave them my co-pay. The clerk put it through the Telechex machine twice and my checking account was debited twice. So I went to the bank and they could see that the same check number posted two times. They credited me the $30. Next thing I know, I'm getting calls from a collection agency, not even a week later, demanding that I pay them the $30 that the bank credited me!!! The calls are from an automated voice and the phone number given, when you call it, directs you on how to pay them on their website. Then there is another number you call for the collection agency. Thankfully, I got someone at the collection agency to look into it and I faxed her information from the bank showing the double payment. As of this writing, it hasn't been resolved and I keep getting the same automated voice call and letters. I tried to get someone at the doctor's office to help, but my account there shows I am paid in full and they have no record of my account being in default, obviously, because they received their $30 co-payment with the first time the check went through. They were not aware of the double posting and had no way of clearing it out because Telechex is the one showing the stop payment on the second, duplicate payment.

The most recent letter I received tells me I owe all these collection fees on top of owing for the second payment and my check will not be honored at any merchant that uses Telechex. Furthermore, my name and account information has been reported to the "reporting agencies" as well. Lovely.

Obviously, Telechex's system is so automated that there is no way to see when a check was put through twice and they can't even be bothered to pay a rep to take phone calls or hire a clerk to double check problems. Nobody called me from Telechex when the second check was credited back to my account. They sent me right to a collection agency.

Telechex certainly doesn't care about the consumer and really, why should they, because their customer is the merchant or provider. I for one, will NOT be doing business with any merchant or provider that uses Telechex. Oh wait, I can't because they already banned me from their system.