If you are on the list, it is important for you to know what ChexSystems is (and what they are not). ChexSystems is not a bank—they are a database company that acts as a consumer reporting agency (CRA), collecting data about banking customers. In particular, ChexSystems maintains a nationwide database of banking customers who have been reported for writing bad checks, defrauding banks, having unpaid bank debts, or having too many “non-sufficient funds” (NSF) items. ChexSystems tries to keep a low public profile (and they’ve done a pretty good job of it). ChexSystems does not have a company Web site, and it is relatively difficult to find information about them. – Non Chexsystems Banks

If you are on the ChexSystems list, you have three options.

* You can decide to live without a bank account, and pay the extra expenses and deal with the inconvenience of using Check Cashing stores, Money Orders, and using cash for most transactions.

* You can try to get off the ChexSystems list (which is not impossible, but can be confusing and difficult for most people).

* You can search around for a bank that doesn’t use ChexSystems and that will allow you to open an account even though you are on the ChexSystems list. Luckily, a number of Federally Insured Banks and credit unions do not use ChexSystems. Unfortunately, finding one can be like finding a needle in a haystack.