These companies, which include Chex Systems and Early Warning Services, collect and report information about checking accounts you’ve had in the past. If you’ve had your account closed due to an unpaid negative balance, the bank or credit union would typically report this “involuntary closure” to a checking account reporting company. You may also be reported if you were suspected of fraudulent activity by the bank or credit union. Banks and credit unions often use reports from these companies to help decide whether to offer you a checking account and the type of checking account to offer you.

Tip:

Some banks and credit unions use additional information, such as information from your credit report, to determine whether or not to let you open a checking account.

Also, debts that come from negative closing balances are sometimes passed on to debt collectors, and those debt collectors might supply information to the big three consumer reporting companies that the debt is in collections. That would affect your credit report and score.

You have the right to know what information is in your report(s). Get more information about requesting a copy of your checking account report.

If you review your report and spot errors, you can file a dispute and then ask that the company correct the error. You should also dispute the inaccurate information directly with the bank, credit union, or merchant that first reported the information to the checking account reporting company. Get more information about disputing information found on your checking account report.

Tip:

If you’ve had difficulty opening or managing a checking account, see our consumer guides on choosing and managing checking accounts. You might also consider getting a prepaid card.

See our consumer guide to selecting a lower risk account
See our consumer guide to managing your checking account
See our consumer guide to checking account denials

GET HELP

• Submit a complaint

We’ll forward your issue to the company, give you a tracking number, and keep you updated on the status of your complaint.