If your name has been put into the
ChexSystem you may be finding it hard to get a checking account or even write a
check. ChexSystem is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which allows you
to dispute claims against you. You have rights!
The first place you will want to visit
is www.chexhelp.com
and order a copy of your ChexSystems report. This will allow you to find
out what caused you to be placed on their system and will also give you a
Consumer ID number.
The next step on your journey to
checking freedom is to send ChexSystems a letter disputing the negative listing.
You need to make a copy of the letter for your files and send the original
letter Certified Mail. This will become a legal document. You will want
proof when it was sent out because ChexSystems is required to contact you in 30
days or delete the listing.
616. Civil liability for willful
noncompliance [15 U.S.C. § 1681n]
(a) In general. Any person who
willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this title with
respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum
of
(1) (A) any actual damages sustained by
the consumer as a result of the failure or damages of not less than $100 and not
more than $1,000; or
(b) in the case of liability of a
natural person for obtaining a consumer report under false pretenses or
knowingly without a permissible purpose, actual damages sustained by the
consumer as a result of the failure or $1,000, whichever is greater:
(2) such amount of punitive damages as
the court may allow; and
(3) in the case of any successful
action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action
together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the court.
(b) Civil liability for knowing
noncompliance. Any person who obtains a consumer report from a consumer
reporting agency under false pretenses or knowingly without a permissible
purpose shall be liable to the consumer reporting agency for actual damages
sustained by the consumer reporting agency or $1,000, whichever is greater.
(c) Attorney's fees. Upon a finding by
the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or other paper filed in
connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith or for
purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney's
fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading,
motion, or other paper.
§ 617. Civil liability for negligent
noncompliance [15 U.S.C. § 1681o]
(a) In general. Any person who is
negligent in failing to comply with any requirement imposed under this title
with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to
the sum of
(1) any actual damages sustained by the
consumer as a result of the failure;
(2) in the case of any successful
action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action
together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the court.
(b) Attorney's fees. On a finding by
the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or other paper filed in
connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith or for
purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney's
fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading,
motion, or other paper.