Check paid 2nd time trying to collect bounce fee? Certegy

Terrell

Every state is different in exactly how much a company can charge you in submitting a bounced check. Not only do you have to pay your financial institutions NSF fee (if there was one), but you will also have to pay the company a NSF fee if they charge one. Usually these are added after trying to submit it twice, and sent to collections, but since the check cleared the second time there was no need for collections. The NSF fee that Dillards is charging is allowed, but perhaps can be disputed by calling their customer service number.

Regards-
Mike

it also depends on how the bank is instructed to handle the merchants checks... some instruct their bank to automaticall try and clear a check twice.. some say only once, then they get the check back ( at this point htey cahrge an NSF fee)and then they or their CA tries to redeposit. Certegy has been known to redeposit before notifying. They have also had problems clearing accounts and even bankruptcies

I'd also like to add that merchants do not need to notify the writer of the check before submitting a second time, since the law permits checks to be submitted twice before the financial institution cancels the check.

I do believe though that the collection agency is supposed to unless you haave agreed to otherwise by writing a check (one of those notices posted at a register stating that by giving them a check your agreeing to certain terms

The checks won't even arrive to the collection agency until after the merchant runs the check through twice. They'll usually attempt their own in house collection by making a telphone call (or 2) and telling you the total of the amount due (with the added NSF fees) and asking you to come pick up the check. Usually then, if no contact is made, will the collection agency contact you.

If I were to receive a check from a friend for cookies, and it bounced, my financial institution automatically asks me if I'd like to run it through in a week. I do not need to contact the writer of the check, because the funds are already suppose to be there.

Mikey, some merchants do not run it through twice. More and more are subscribing to check verification companies like certegy that handle stuff after it bounces once. they usually have some notice posted near the register that says by tendering a check, you are agreeing to electronic representment. Some even state that they can add a fee witht he representment. usually this occcurs in the form of an ACH withdrawl and not an electronic check. There are however many permutations. Also there is nothing stopping someone from presenting a check more than twice, (although most institutions punch a whole in the check one they get it the second time... This is even changing with the move to electronic check processing.

Terrell, the good thing is that your check has been paid to the merchant. Likely you owe the check fee as well and $25 is a reasonable and typical amount. I personally would pay it and be done with it unless you feel that something fishy is up.. such as Dillards put the check through twice but certegy is trying to collect the fee. Also check your dates, if the date on the certegy letter (the date showing the fee incurred is after the second time the check cleared you may have a good argument. Also, if you did not receive a notice of dishonorment form either certegy or Dillards, you may not owe the fee, depending on your state's bounced check law.

[quote=JJ]Certegy has been known to redeposit before notifying[/quote]

JJ-

I was just stating that a company does not need to notify the writer of the check prior to its second submission. The funds are already suppose to be there, and no contact is needed.

Thanks Mikey and I was not trying to take issue with what you said, just trying to further the amount of info about it.. sorry its the teacher (former college prof in me)

I had a check declined by Lowe's due to info by Certegy. I have never ever bounced a check and for once in my life have enough $$. It appears that they don't have my Credit Union in their data bank (according to the Credit Union) In want to use the Credit Union for a special remodeling job - to track expenses. Anyone else had problems with Certegy?

they can be quite difficult

I actually think Certegy is just their to give everyone a hard time. large percentage of the time I think they lie about why a check has been declined and strangely enough I havent figured out why its them collecting the fee's on something another company should be doing, this company is actually to the point now where it just needs to be shutdown.

I just had a loan company take money from my account that I just opened up 1.5 years ago and they claim I had owed them money from September 2004. How do handle this?