Check Payment Denied

[ShyGirl]

I went into Macy's on Saturday and tried to pay for a $250+ purchase with a check. Only to have it declined. I ended up paying with a credit card.

I was stomping mad because I know I have a terrific credit rating.

When I looked into the issue, Macy's uses a consumer reporting agency (Certegy) for check authorizations.

Apparently, some type of profiling in Certegy's computers, flagged my transaction as a possible case of Identity Theft/Fraud.

My question is, if that's the case, why did they accept my credit card for payment?

Could it be because the recovery of the lost $$ shifts from Macy's to the credit card company, when I use a credit card vs a personal check?

:shrug:

 

[Pete]

I went into Macy's on Saturday and tried to pay for a $250+ purchase with a check. Only to have it declined. I ended up paying with a credit card.

I was stomping mad because I know I have a terrific credit rating.

When I looked into the issue, Macy's uses a consumer reporting agency (Certegy) for check authorizations.

Apparently, some type of profiling in Certegy's computers, flagged my transaction as a possible case of Identity Theft/Fraud.

My question is, if that's the case, why did they accept my credit card for payment?

Could it be because the recovery of the lost $$ shifts from Macy's to the credit card company, when I use a credit card vs a personal check?

:shrug:

Ed Zachary

 

[DawnK]

But did they ask for ID when you presented your check or your CC?

 

[ShyGirl]

Photo ID

They asked for a photo id when I tried to pay by check.

They didn't even look at the back of my credit card which has my signature and "PLEASE ASK FOR ID".

 

[desertrat]

I went into Macy's on Saturday and tried to pay for a $250+ purchase with a check. Only to have it declined. I ended up paying with a credit card.

I was stomping mad because I know I have a terrific credit rating.

When I looked into the issue, Macy's uses a consumer reporting agency (Certegy) for check authorizations.

Apparently, some type of profiling in Certegy's computers, flagged my transaction as a possible case of Identity Theft/Fraud.

My question is, if that's the case, why did they accept my credit card for payment?

Could it be because the recovery of the lost $$ shifts from Macy's to the credit card company, when I use a credit card vs a personal check?

:shrug:

My guess.

 

[itsbob]

I went into Macy's on Saturday and tried to pay for a $250+ purchase with a check. Only to have it declined. I ended up paying with a credit card.

I was stomping mad because I know I have a terrific credit rating.

When I looked into the issue, Macy's uses a consumer reporting agency (Certegy) for check authorizations.

Apparently, some type of profiling in Certegy's computers, flagged my transaction as a possible case of Identity Theft/Fraud.

My question is, if that's the case, why did they accept my credit card for payment?

Could it be because the recovery of the lost $$ shifts from Macy's to the credit card company, when I use a credit card vs a personal check?

:shrug:

Were you wearing a doo-rag at the time??

 

[julz20684]

Were you wearing a doo-rag at the time??

 

[RoseRed]

I have your jacket.

 

[wileyCoyote]

Why didn't...

I went into Macy's on Saturday and tried to pay for a $250+ purchase with a check. Only to have it declined. I ended up paying with a credit card.

I was stomping mad because I know I have a terrific credit rating.

When I looked into the issue, Macy's uses a consumer reporting agency (Certegy) for check authorizations.

Apparently, some type of profiling in Certegy's computers, flagged my transaction as a possible case of Identity Theft/Fraud.

My question is, if that's the case, why did they accept my credit card for payment?

Could it be because the recovery of the lost $$ shifts from Macy's to the credit card company, when I use a credit card vs a personal check?

:shrug:

.. you use your check/ATM card?

 

[crabcake]

I tried to write a check in a department store once and had it declined for a similiar reason ... only to find out that it was because it was a low check number (it was drawn on a new account), and they were kicking back any check with a number under some certain threshold.

I use my debit card for everything anymore ... if I can't pay cash, I don't need it.

 

[StrwberryKisses]

I tried to write a check in a department store once and had it declined for a similiar reason ... only to find out that it was because it was a low check number (it was drawn on a new account), and they were kicking back any check with a number under some certain threshold.

I use my debit card for everything anymore ... if I can't pay cash, I don't need it.

I totally agree. I hate writing Checks.

 

[ShyGirl]

.. you use your check/ATM card?

No, I wrote out a paper check.

Just a word of caution about check cards: A buddy of mine had an assignment overseas and was using his check card to pay his hotel bill. The hotel accidently charged multiple times for the transaction and it drained the person's bank account. The person notified the hotel and called the bank over here in the US. The bank saw the transactions, was just starting to investigate and reported that suddenly all evidence of the transactions just disappeared.

Check cards give people direct access to the money in your bank account, with little to no protections.

 

[johnjrval424]

...Check cards give people direct access to the money in your bank account, with little to no protections.

Nope, not true. As long as it is a "VISA" debit card, it affords you the same protection as a VISA credit card, including liability protection under Federal Law (you aren't responsible for charges except the first $50).

Been there, done that. My bank (Bank of America) refunded the money instantly pending the outcome of their investigation into my claim. Obviously, I prevailed.