BEWARE-TARGET STORES-among others

[JesseBelle]

Just a heads up!!

I have P.O.A. on all my Moms accounts. I have been handling all her business and writing her checks for 7 years now!! I purchased (past tense now) some of her groceries at least twice a week at Target!! I went in tonight to get some things for her and the check was declined!! They gave me a number and a courtesy phone to call. The company CERTEGY (remember this name), said it was not declined due to insufficient funds or credit rating, but that they did not have any info on record to allow a check that large!! WTH!! They "offered" to send me a form to fill out for one of their "Gold Cards" and then after they got a history from me on the checking account they would allow Target to accept my check!! The history on her accounts dated back to the 1950's!! She is a retired vice-president of one of the banks!! Needless to say, I went ballistic on the jerk on the phone and then demanded the manager!! The manager knew the check was good and that I was a very regular customer on her account as well as mine!! He said he had no authority to over-ride this company!! Several people from Target Customer Service got on the phone with CERTEGY (remember this name) and explained that they have absolutely no problem taking any of my checks!! I tried 2 different accounts of hers and 2 of mine...no go!! I asked the jerk on the phone what exactly his company was for since they are not one of the 3 credit reporting agencies and all he could say is "Ma'am, I will be glad to send you the form to fill out to get approved." We all kept asking why Target needed his companies approval to accept a check from a known customer!! He could not give an answer as to what his company does!!
The manager kept apologizing and finally called the corporate office!! They have no control over what CERTEGY (remember this name) approves or does not approve!!
Well I do have control and I am going to use it to it's fullest extent!! Tomorrow. 10/09/2006, I am going to all 4 banks and then I am going to find out what other companies use their "services" and I am sending them a copy of this post and inform them that I will never spend another cent in their stores as long as they use this company!! I am also posting this post on every message board and blog I can find and let people know what awaits them!!

If you are the curious type here is a bit of info:
CERTEGY (remember this name)
P.O. Box 30046
Tampa, Florida 33630-3046
1-800-831-7764

Feel free to mention this event to anyone you please!!

[katlnhats]

Hi,
Wow.. that's weird. Did you ever find out just exactly what CERTEGY is?

Good luck,

Kat

[katlnhats]

Got it, take a look:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

It's a specialty check and credit card reporting service, and it's worldwide.

Kat

[JesseBelle]

Apparently they verify checks not based on the writers reputation, but on the amount of the check?? Huh?? I went to their website and it is full of mumbo-jumbo financial options for businesses.
I have been writing checks in this town for over 40 years!! No hot checks ever to worry about, so what difference does the amount make? This is not the largest check I've ever written by any means.

[katlnhats]

Hi Jesse,
Apparently the parent company of Target, and I don't know who that is, but it looks like they've put a cap on how large of a check anyone can write - maybe due to the fact that it's getting close to the holidays? I do think it's strange that the Target employees and Manager didn't seem to "know" about their new rule.
I don't think it's got anything to do with you, personally, but it did personally impact you. Who knows who else is using them? That's something to think about, and it wouldn't be your bank, it'd be any wholesale/retail place, especially a chain, that you shop at, or I/anyone shops at.
I looked quickly at their site, too and it looks like a site for businesses to use that, instead of making their own rules as to how high of a check they'll take, this company is in charge of the authorisations now. I still wonder "who else" is using them, I doubt it's just Target.
Might be a good idea to give Target's Corporate a call? Just a thought...and good luck!

Kat (who thinks the whole thing stinks!)

[JesseBelle]

Thanks Kat. I did call both companies and got absolutely nowhere at all. Certegy is ****-bent on getting all my personal info that is none of their business. This not not the largest check I've ever written to Target by any means. My banks said they have no control, but were very sympathetic and concerned.
Home Depot, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Lowes were a few of the others that use them that I found in various searches this morning. I'd love to find a complete list.

[katlnhats]

Hi,

I bet it's a lot bigger list than that and I bet that stupid company Certigy won't release the list, though it "should" be public record somewhere, even though they want your personal info. That's ridiculous. Looks like a sign of (bad) things to come though. I don't have any limit on the amount I can write my checks up to as well, and when my Dad was sick, also had POA for him.... but that was several years ago and nobody was using this "company", and it looks like lots of places are now, but you know what?
It seems like it ought to be the stores individual responsibility as there's apparently a limit on how much (or what amount) will pass this companys approval and they should have it posted, that they don't, isn't right. How are you,... we or anyone supposed to know for what amount we can write a check for?
That same company is also doing credit cards... geez, ridiculous! Good luck, this stinks, I know as when you're POA, you want to get into a store, get what you're supposed to get, and get out, not be told your check is not accepted. I wouldn't give them my personal info either... Sorry this happened to you, heck, it'll probably happen to me one of these days!!!!! I'll let ya know if it does!
Kat

[JesseBelle]

Good morning Kat. They have resolved the problem and in MY favor. After 9 hours on the phone Monday and numerous bouts of foul language I finally was connected to a very nice lady who is the supervisor over all the staff. She tried to explain that the purchases were at the end of the business day, a large amount and that sends up a red flag! Well heck, if I work until 1 hour before they close naturally my shopping is done in that time frame. That is the same time I am usually in the store. Nothing new there or the amount. I did get numerous apologies and now have 5-star gold rating and did not give any info or fill out their silly forms.
They also scan for Lowes. If I had come home and my water heater had malfunctioned and spewed water all over the house (again), I would have headed to Lowes for a water heater, lumber, flashing, solder materials, rent a shop vac/water sucker, etc. The cost of that would have been way more than the amount at Target. Do you have any idea how ballistic I would have been at not being allowed to repair my home? I guarantee, I would have had the police called. And most likely been carted off in a straight jacket.
The Certegy company used to be Experion. She explained that they bought them out and this is one of their many services.
It did not help matters that all the reps I was connected with have a huge language barrier. If you represent American companies and deal with the public, speak English that is semi-intelligable.
Somewhere among the numerous listings in Google are references to the many compaines they scan for. If I can get a few free minutes, I will make a list and post it.
Target officials explained that they have NO control over this company at all. Well sure they do!! Use a company who looks at the customers good/bad writing history rather than some silly program to worry about the time of day it is. Target and Certegy both told me that the closer it gets to the holidays, the more strict they become.
This Santa is making a list and checking it twice and will not patronize any retailers using this ridiculous outfit.
Okay, I'm off my soap box now!!

[katlnhats]

Originally Posted by JesseBelle

Good morning Kat. They have resolved the problem and in MY favor. After 9 hours on the phone Monday and numerous bouts of foul language I finally was connected to a very nice lady who is the supervisor over all the staff. She tried to explain that the purchases were at the end of the business day, a large amount and that sends up a red flag! Well heck, if I work until 1 hour before they close naturally my shopping is done in that time frame. That is the same time I am usually in the store. Nothing new there or the amount. I did get numerous apologies and now have 5-star gold rating and did not give any info or fill out their silly forms.
They also scan for Lowes. If I had come home and my water heater had malfunctioned and spewed water all over the house (again), I would have headed to Lowes for a water heater, lumber, flashing, solder materials, rent a shop vac/water sucker, etc. The cost of that would have been way more than the amount at Target. Do you have any idea how ballistic I would have been at not being allowed to repair my home? I guarantee, I would have had the police called. And most likely been carted off in a straight jacket.
The Certegy company used to be Experion. She explained that they bought them out and this is one of their many services.
It did not help matters that all the reps I was connected with have a huge language barrier. If you represent American companies and deal with the public, speak English that is semi-intelligable.
Somewhere among the numerous listings in Google are references to the many compaines they scan for. If I can get a few free minutes, I will make a list and post it.
Target officials explained that they have NO control over this company at all. Well sure they do!! Use a company who looks at the customers good/bad writing history rather than some silly program to worry about the time of day it is. Target and Certegy both told me that the closer it gets to the holidays, the more strict they become.
This Santa is making a list and checking it twice and will not patronize any retailers using this ridiculous outfit.
Okay, I'm off my soap box now!!

Hi Jesse,
Wow, NINE hours on the phone? I don't blame you, I'd have done the same thing.. what am I "talking" about? Since this seems to now be the NORM, I probably will be doing it! Total and complete BS. I'm glad you got somewhere, and I think that these companys that are obviously "paying" this scam company ought to dump it!
It shouldn't matter what in heck time you went into and out of the store... geez. Lowes too? Then Home Depot too, I'd bet.
If they "really" wanted your personal info, there are any number of places they can get it, right on the 'net. I know as before we moved in here, we had our name on a waiting list for another place who wanted a background and credit check done. And we did it ourselves (as they didn't), right on the computer, printed it out and brought it to them. Scam... total scam.

Grrrr, I am still furious!

Kat

[miniaturesmom]

Sunday we went to Staples to purchase a camera. First of all the store did not have the camera and had a hard time finding a store which had one. Let me guess, did we put an ad without having the proper merchandise on hand? which I do believe is a switch and bait gimmick against the law in Florida. When they finally located a camera we decided to go ahead and pay for it even though we would not receive the camera for a few days. The total amount was $826.56. That is when the **** started. My check was declined and after putting a fuss we were given a little piece of paper with Certegy's name and number to call. We put the camera on our Visa and called Certegy the next day. Our check was declined due to the fact that the check number was out of sequence. You see my husband ran out of checks and used the next available packet in the box. For that we were totally humiliated in front of everyone and it was busy that day.
First of all Staples was holding on to my Driver's license and my husband was right there with his. The girl at Staples was talking to them on the phone and all they would have had to say is why is your check out of sequence and we could have shown them the other check book which my husband had at the time. But no we were given this little card and looked at as if we had just robbed a major bank.
After talking to Certegy and getting nowhere we asked for a supervisor Kenya who basically shrugged us away. When my husband asked for her supervisor she told us that it was past 5PM in Arkansas and she was the highest form in the supervisor dept. Well after that wonderful conversation I decided to Google "complaints with Certegy" and hit the jackpot. Wow is this a company from **** or what. They all say the same crap, embarassed, humiliated and even a CEO's wife got hit. Please dear God let a lawyer's wife get this treatment and this will be taken care of real fast. I am now looking for a class action suit. I want to join! I am going to file a complaint with the Florida Dept of Consumer Affairs and the Attorney General of Florida. And Staples is going to get it also. And today I am going to Staples and demand a refund on the whole thing. As far as Staples is concerned I will never step foot in that store again. They chose to use this sham of a company and so be it.

Joyce Paris

[kdm2273]

We had the same problem TWICE at Babies R Us when we bought baby furniture. We were not given anybody to call and were treated like criminals! I was furious, after all furniture is expensive and we were paying the balance which was about $400 - that's not a huge check in a store for furniture! I do my best not to shop there, but there aren't a lot of options for baby furniture here because I want to see what I'm buying and most stores you order sight unseen!

Anyway, when we spoke with the manager, she basically told us that she didn't care and would not help us. So I try to tell everybody not to shop at Babies R Us.

[puhpow66]

Originally Posted by JesseBelle

Just a heads up!!

I have P.O.A. on all my Moms accounts. I have been handling all her business and writing her checks for 7 years now!! I purchased (past tense now) some of her groceries at least twice a week at Target!! I went in tonight to get some things for her and the check was declined!! They gave me a number and a courtesy phone to call. The company CERTEGY (remember this name), said it was not declined due to insufficient funds or credit rating, but that they did not have any info on record to allow a check that large!! WTH!! They "offered" to send me a form to fill out for one of their "Gold Cards" and then after they got a history from me on the checking account they would allow Target to accept my check!! The history on her accounts dated back to the 1950's!! She is a retired vice-president of one of the banks!! Needless to say, I went ballistic on the jerk on the phone and then demanded the manager!! The manager knew the check was good and that I was a very regular customer on her account as well as mine!! He said he had no authority to over-ride this company!! Several people from Target Customer Service got on the phone with CERTEGY (remember this name) and explained that they have absolutely no problem taking any of my checks!! I tried 2 different accounts of hers and 2 of mine...no go!! I asked the jerk on the phone what exactly his company was for since they are not one of the 3 credit reporting agencies and all he could say is "Ma'am, I will be glad to send you the form to fill out to get approved." We all kept asking why Target needed his companies approval to accept a check from a known customer!! He could not give an answer as to what his company does!!
The manager kept apologizing and finally called the corporate office!! They have no control over what CERTEGY (remember this name) approves or does not approve!!
Well I do have control and I am going to use it to it's fullest extent!! Tomorrow. 10/09/2006, I am going to all 4 banks and then I am going to find out what other companies use their "services" and I am sending them a copy of this post and inform them that I will never spend another cent in their stores as long as they use this company!! I am also posting this post on every message board and blog I can find and let people know what awaits them!!

If you are the curious type here is a bit of info:
CERTEGY (remember this name)
P.O. Box 30046
Tampa, Florida 33630-3046
1-800-831-7764

Feel free to mention this event to anyone you please!!

I had a similar thing happen to me only it was Sears Automotive and Tire Center. I was in the processing of purchasing a set of 4 tires for my parents vehicle. I had significantly more than enough money in my account to cover the price of the tires (w/a check), but Sears would not accept my check because of CERTEGY. Even after I conferenced in my bank with CERTEGY, they still denied accepting the check. Unfortunately, they had already removed ALL 4 tires off the car and off the rims. Subsequently, I bought tires somewhere else and told CERTEGY what to do with their approval.

Many companies, i.e. Target, Sears, etc., use CERTEGY and other companies like it. CERTEGY is a company that is hired by i.e. Target, Sears, etc., for
check guaranty and self-risk check management programs for personal and business check acceptance.

Personally, as with the 3 credit bureaus whom can either make your life easy or completely ruin it, CERTEGY and all check cashing companies alike should all be PUT OUT OF BUSINESS!!!