Understanding and Correcting Errors on Your TeleCheck Report

Maintaining accurate accounting of your checking account will prevent bounced checks.

TeleCheck is a service that maintains a database that allows participating merchants to screen checks written by their customers. The database contains over 50 million records, and was designed to help merchants avoid the financial liability of accepting checks from bad check writers. The individuals who have a TeleCheck report range from those who intentionally wrote fraudulent checks, to those who just had a temporary case of money mismanagement. The information contained in your TeleCheck report can result in your inability to write checks for goods and services. The good news is that there are steps you can take to remove, or correct, information contained in your TeleCheck record.

How to Clean My TeleCheck History

Step 1

When you call TeleCheck, have your driver's license and account information handy.

Contact TeleCheck, by calling 1-800-366-2425, and find out what information exists on your TeleCheck report.

Step 2

Contact the merchant that reported you to TeleCheck. If the information reported was accurate, you may be able to work out a payment arrangement with the merchant in order to get the information removed. If the information reported by the merchant is incorrect, contact TeleCheck and dispute the information.

Step 3

Once you have paid the merchant the amount of the check, plus any additional fees, your record will be cleared from TeleCheck.

Step 4

If the merchant has inaccurately reported information, or if you suspect identity theft or fraud, dispute the information on your report. You can dispute information by visiting the TeleCheck website at www.TeleCheck.com, and clicking on the "How to Report Check Fraud" tab on the right side of the homepage.

Step 5

TeleCheck will issue a free copy of your TeleCheck record annually. Contact TeleCheck at 1-800-366-2425, or visit the website at www.TeleCheck.com, to request a copy.

Tip

Under the provisions outlined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have a right to a free copy of your consumer information within 60 days of check refusal.