As consumers try to use checks instead of credit or debit cards to keep a tighter rein on spending, more tales are surfacing about glitches that they face.
The posting on
this Money blog from a couple of weeks ago pointed out how Sears has changed its check approval system to TeleCheck, and some of the hiccups of its electronic clearing process that can happen.
The posting drew dozens of comments, some saying checks were outdated, others voicing concerns about the system and pointing out the practices of other retailers such as Walmart and Target.
Now, we've come across stories in other news sources, including
one from Philly.com, about a woman whose check was turned down by TeleCheck. They essentially used the system to run a credit check on her, and denied her purchase even though she had the funds. She ended up having to buy gift cards from Sears to pay for her emergency car repair.
And here's
another case from Minnesota in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about another check processor.
Do you have any experiences? Send them in to our Web site. — Bob Tiernan
