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Kokua Line
Question: My request for a checking account was recently rejected. The bank clerk said it was because in checking my records, I had history of being a bad risk because of a problem with a previous checking account. The bank said it checked with a national data bank. I didn't know such a data bank existed. Are there data banks that keep information on bad check writers? How long is a person's record kept on file? How can I contest or clear my record? Banks check
you out before
account opensAnswer: You didn't say which bank rejected your application. So we queried several financial institutions to find out what their policies are.
Carole Tang, Bank of Hawaii marketing communications administrator, said when a person wants to open a checking account, the bank contacts consumer reporting agencies such as Uni-Check and ChexSystems. "They have information on bounced checks that have not been paid," she said. "Based on the information received from these agencies, the bank can either accept or decline the checking account application.
"Under state and federal laws the individual has the right to obtain a free copy of their consumer report from the agency if the request is made within 60 days of their receipt of the bank's declination notice. They also can dispute the accuracy of any information contained in their consumer report by directly contacting the agency. The consumer reporting agency -- and not the bank or merchant -- determines the length of time a bad code remains on its system."
Paula Halvorson, spokeswoman for First Hawaiian Bank, said her bank also uses Uni-Check. "This is done to protect the bank from fraud and high-risk customers, which are costly to the bank and to consumers," she said. "If Uni-Check tells us that the applicant has a negative credit report rating, we refer them to contact Uni-Check directly. Uni-Check does not disclose the reason or details of the negative rating to anyone but the person themselves, so the bank does not have access to that information."
American Savings Bank also relies on Uni-Check and ChexSystems services, said Kim Yatomi, bank spokeswoman. When a consumer's request for a checking account is rejected, they are told to call either ChexSystems or Uni-Check for the reason, Yatomi said.
Inquiries to ChexSystems can be made by calling 1-800-428-9623, or Uni-Check at 524-2030. Uni-Check says once a customer's obligation is paid and it receives a confirmation from the client, the black mark is removed.
Q: Why are the street lights on the Pali Highway on the Kailua side of the tunnel not working? The journey made on the two-lane stretch just past the hairpin turn is made even more precarious because of the darkness. This situation has existed for at least one month.
A: A transformer malfunction is causing the problem, said Marilyn Kali, transportation department spokeswoman. A new one has been ordered from the mainland, but even with "expedited delivery," it will be at least 10 to 11 weeks before it gets here. "We just can't get it here any faster," Kali said.
Medal banquet and parade
There will be a $3 fee to park at the Honolulu Convention Center for the 10 a.m. Aug. 27 luncheon honoring Hawaii's newest Medal of Honor recipients. Banquet tickets are $35. Call Kim Mills at 545-4329. On Next Saturday, a motorcade-parade honoring the soldiers will be held beginning at 9 a.m. in Chinatown and ending at Kapiolani Park. The marching portion will be on Kalakaua Avenue.
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com