IDTheft - If Your Checks Are Rejected

What If My Checks are Rejected by a Merchant?

If your checks are rejected by a merchant, it may be because an identity thief is using the Magnetic Information Character Recognition (MICR) code (the numbers at the bottom of checks), your driver's license number, or another identification number. The merchant who rejects your check should give you its check verification company contact information so you can find out what information the thief is using. If you find that the thief is using your MICR code, ask your bank to close your checking account, and open a new one. If you discover that the thief is using your driver's license number or some other identification number, work with your DMV or other identification issuing agency to get new identification with new numbers. Once you have taken the appropriate steps, your checks should be accepted.

Note:
• The check verification company may or may not remove the information about the MICR code or the driver's license/identification number from its database because this information may help prevent the thief from continuing to commit fraud.

• If the checks are being passed on a new account, contact the bank to close the account. Also contact Chex Systems, Inc. to review your consumer report to make sure that no other bank accounts have been opened in your name.

• Dispute any bad checks passed in your name with merchants so they don't start any collections actions against you.

Home

Identity Theft Victims - Immediate Steps
◦ Placing A Fraud Alert
◦ Closing Accounts
◦ File A Report With The Police
◦ File A Complaint With The FTC

How Can Identity Theft Happen?
◦ How Can Someone Steal Your Identity
◦ Effects Of Identity Theft
◦ Are You a Victim of Identity Theft?
◦ Pretexting - How to Avoid It
◦ How Long Can The Effects Of Identity Theft Last?
◦ Using Of A Monitoring Service

Tips To Minimze Your Risk
◦ My personal information has been lost or stolen
◦ Minimizing Your Risk
◦ Trash And Mail
◦ Social Security Number
◦ The Computer And The Internet
◦ Active Duty Military Alert
◦ Identity Theft Insurance

Specific Problem Resolving
◦ Dealing With Specific Problems
◦ Bank Accounts and Fraudulent Withdrawals
◦ Fraudulent Electronic Withdrawals
◦ Fraudulent Checks
◦ If Your Checks Are Rejected
◦ Fraudulent New Accounts
◦ Bankruptcy Fraud
◦ Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports
◦ Consumer Reporting Company Obligations
◦ Credit Cards
◦ Criminal Violations
◦ Debt Collectors
◦ Investment Fraud
◦ Mail Theft
◦ Passport
◦ Phone Fraud
◦ Social Security Number Misuse
◦ Tax Fraud

Filing An Complaint With The FTC
◦ How Do You File A Complaint With The FTC
◦ How Does The FTC Use Your Information

Site Map