posted October 09, 2006 03:30 PM            

I have P.O.A. on all my Moms accounts. I have been handling all her business and writing her checks for 7 years now!! I purchased (past tense now) some of her groceries at least twice a week at Target!! I went in tonight to get some things for her and the check was declined!! They gave me a number and a courtesy phone to call. The company CERTEGY (remember this name), said it was not declined due to insufficient funds or credit rating, but that they did not have any info on record to allow a check that large!! WTH!! They "offered" to send me a form to fill out for one of their "Gold Cards" and then after they got a history from me on the checking account they would allow Target to accept my check!! The history on her accounts dated back to the 1950's!! She is a retired vice-president of one of the banks!! Needless to say, I went ballistic on the jerk on the phone and then demanded the manager!! The manager knew the check was good and that I was a very regular customer on her account as well as mine!! He said he had no authority to over-ride this company!! Several people from Target Customer Service got on the phone with CERTEGY (remember this name) and explained that they have absolutely no problem taking any of my checks!! I tried 2 different accounts of hers and 2 of mine...no go!! I asked the jerk on the phone what exactly his company was for since they are not one of the 3 credit reporting agencies and all he could say is "Ma'am, I will be glad to send you the form to fill out to get approved." We all kept asking why Target needed his companies approval to accept a check from a known customer!! He could not give an answer as to what his company does!!
The manager kept apologizing and finally called the corporate office!! They have no control over what CERTEGY (remember this name) approves or does not approve!!
Well I do have control and I am going to use it to it's fullest extent!! Tomorrow. 10/09/2006, I am going to all 4 banks and then I am going to find out what other companies use their "services" and I am sending them a copy of this post and inform them that I will never spend another cent in their stores as long as they use this company!! I am also posting this post on every message board and blog I can find and let people know what awaits them!!

If you are the curious type here is a bit of info:
CERTEGY (remember this name)
P.O. Box 30046
Tampa, Florida 33630-3046
1-800-831-7764