You probably already know about the credit bureaus – the organizations that report credit scores. So you know the credit bureaus collect and share private credit information about you. You might not know about an entirely separate organization that also collects and shares information about you. It’s called Early Warning Services (EWS). Its name summons the likeness of public alert systems for hazardous weather. It’s not that.
Instead of providing reports on credit card and loan payments, however, EWS collects and reports information on checking and savings account histories. Read on to find out everything you need to know about this consumer-reporting system.
What Is EWS?
EWS was created by major banks including Wells Fargo, Capital One, BB&T, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America to prevent fraud and reduce risk. Whereas companies such as ChexSystems and TeleCheck focus on keeping records of people who mismanage bank accounts with overdrafts or write checks on closed accounts, EWS focuses on fraudulent activity. Its database tracks consumers’ negative interactions with banks, as well as activities such as bank fraud, forgery, check kiting, check alteration, and counterfeiting.
How Does Early Warning Services Affect Consumers?
Consumers can end up unintentionally committing fraud and never be aware of it. Consider this example: a family member gives you a check and you deposit it into your checking account. Unfortunately, the check is returned because that family member doesn’t have the funds in her account.
Now your bank may choose to report that transaction to EWS. It’s only much later when you attempt to open a new bank account that you find you have a negative notation and are unable to open the account.
Find Out What’s in Your Early Warning Services Report
Here’s what your EWS report includes:
- Your name, address, phone number(s), date of birth, and Social Security number
- Checking and savings account information, including bank names, account opening and closing dates, balances, account history, and banking activity
- A list of companies that recently requested your EWS report
When you apply for a bank account, banks that use Early Warning Services might deny the application if they find negative information in your EWS records.
Consumer Protection Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Similar to the credit bureaus, EWS is subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), an important consumer law enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, a government consumer protection agency. The FCRA protects consumer rights by allowing you to review your report and dispute incorrect items.
Order your free copy of your EWS report by downloading an identification form on the EWS website or by contacting the company by phone at 800-325-7775, by fax at 480-656-6850, or by mail at:
Early Warning Services, LLC
16552 North 90th Street, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Fill out the form, sign it and mail it with a copy of a government-issued ID.
When you receive your report, check it for inaccuracies. Typical errors include incorrect personal information and amounts owed. Your report might even show accounts that you never opened if you’re an unwitting victim of identity theft. If your EWS report doesn’t have much detail, you might need to dig deeper to find out why something led to a denial of opening a new bank account.
How to Dispute an Item on Your EWS Report
If you find any errors, dispute them directly with the bank. File a dispute with EWS, too, following the instructions on the report.
First, gather the following information:
- Your Consumer ID Number from the EWS report
- A complete description of the item you are disputing. For example, include the routing and account numbers for bank accounts with incorrect information
- A detailed explanation of the dispute, explaining how and why the information is incorrect
- Copies of all supporting evidence and documents
Then, follow these steps to complete the report and file your dispute:
- Provide the previously mentioned information.
- Create and sign a separate dispute sheet for each erroneous item.
- Mail, fax or upload the forms.
If EWS denies your dispute and refuses to remove the contested information, exercise your consumer rights by sending a rebuttal statement to add to your file.
The Best Second Chance Bank Accounts Near Me
Unfortunately, most major banks don’t offer second chance checking, but many community banks and credit unions have them under various names, such as Opportunity Checking and Fresh Start Checking.
Our editorial staff regularly updates the list of banks offering second chance checking in every state. Here’s an overview of these accounts and where you can find them at branches in your area.
