Early Warning Services is a new check verification reporting agency that is very similar to ChexSystems. Since changing their name from Primary Payment Systems, Early Warning Services (also called EWS) is becoming one of the most used check verification/bank fraud detection companies around. While ChexSystems is still the most widely used, EWS is coming on strong and is poised to become the reporting agency of choice.
So What Should You Know About Early Warning Services
This company was formed by several banks to provide a more strategic and more secure bank fraud and checking account verification company. This company is well funded and owned by Bank of America, BB&T Corporation, JPMorgan Chase, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and now Capital One. They also have very close ties to the Deluxe Corporation (check suypplier).
Early Warning Services is considered a credit reporting agency just like ChexSystems. You are allowed access to your EWS report and are also allow to dispute any negatives found on your report. To get a copy of your report, you should call 800-325-7775. The report is currently free, but this could change at any time.
When requesting your report you will be asked for certain information. I would not provide more than the following as this is all that they would need. Do not volunteer information, but provide the following if asked.
- name
- address
- social security number
- drivers license number
- current address
- previous address(es) if you have moved in the last 5 years.
If asked about employment, phone number, bank accounts, etc I would answer very vaguely and provide none of this information. If they ask about a phone number, you dont have one. Ask about a job, your unemployed. Anyways you get the idea. They do not need this information and are only digging for date to be used for their business as well as possible sales to 3rd party companies.
Keep in mind that your goal is to protect your privacy and personal information.
