Denied a bank account and not sure why? It might have nothing to do with your credit score. Many banks use a screening tool called Early Warning Services to decide whether you’re eligible for an account.
Early Warning Services tracks your banking history and flags anything it sees as risky—like past overdrafts, unpaid fees, or suspected fraud. Sometimes, even a simple mistake can end up getting you blacklisted.
This guide breaks down exactly what Early Warning Services is, how it works, which banks use it, and what to do if it’s holding you back. If you’re stuck, there are ways to fight back and start banking again.
How Early Warning Services Works
If a bank has ever turned you down for a checking account, Early Warning Services might be the reason. Early Warning Services (EWS) is a consumer reporting agency used by major banks to screen applicants based on their past banking behavior—not their credit score.
EWS helps financial institutions identify potential fraud or risky account activity before allowing someone to open a new account. But the system isn’t perfect. You could get flagged for something as small as an unpaid bank fee or a bounced check.
Banks use this data to protect themselves, but it can also shut people out of basic financial services. That’s why it’s important to know how EWS works, what information it tracks, and how to fix errors if they show up on your report.
Which banks use Early Warning Services?
EWS is owned by several of the largest banks in the U.S., and those same banks rely on it to screen new account applicants. These include:
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Chase
- PNC Bank
- Truist
- U.S. Bank
- Wells Fargo
Some banks use EWS in combination with other services like ChexSystems or TeleCheck. Others may rely on EWS alone to make decisions about who can open a new bank account.
If you’ve been denied an account and weren’t told which system flagged you, it’s worth requesting a consumer report from all three.
What information does EWS collect?
EWS tracks your banking activity across financial institutions. It collects data related to your past checking and savings accounts, including both positive and negative history.
Here’s the type of information banks might see:
- Fraud alerts – Confirmed or suspected fraud, even if it wasn’t intentional
- Check issues – Altered, forged, or bounced checks
- Overdraft abuse – Repeated overdrafts or unpaid negative balances
- Identity verification – Problems verifying your identity or account ownership
- Closed accounts – Especially if they were closed with a negative balance
EWS looks for specific types of high-risk activity, including things like forgery, counterfeiting, paperhanging (writing checks on closed accounts), check kiting, and other signs of account abuse. Even if you weren’t aware something was considered fraud, it may still show up in your file.
EWS doesn’t review your credit report or credit score. But it does pull data from other banks and third-party sources, which means a mistake at one financial institution can affect your ability to bank elsewhere.
How EWS Can Affect Your Ability to Bank
If EWS has a negative record on you, your application for a new checking or savings account might get denied. In some cases, even an approved account can be closed later by another department at the bank—usually fraud prevention.
You could also run into issues with checks being rejected or payment services like Zelle being limited. That’s because EWS operates the Zelle Network too.
The worst part? Many people end up in the EWS database over something minor, like a fee they didn’t know they owed. Even small issues can cause big headaches later on.
Early Warning Services vs. ChexSystems vs. TeleCheck
EWS isn’t the only company that tracks your banking history. ChexSystems and TeleCheck also serve similar purposes—but each works a little differently.
Here’s how they compare:
- Early Warning Services: Owned by major banks, focuses on fraud and risk data. Also operates the Zelle Network.
- ChexSystems: The most widely used system. Tracks negative bank account activity and provides summaries to banks.
- TeleCheck: Focuses more on check-writing history and gives consumers a risk score based on past issues.
Some banks use just one of these services. Others use two or even all three. If you’re denied an account, find out which system was used so you can get the correct report and dispute any errors.
How to Get Your EWS Report
If you’ve been denied a bank account, you have the right to see what’s in your Early Warning Services report. Like credit reports, EWS consumer reports are regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and you’re entitled to one free copy per year.
To request your report:
- Visit the Early Warning Services website.
- Download and fill out the Identification Form.
- Submit it one of three ways:
- Online: Create an account and upload the form
- Mail:
Early Warning Services LLC
Attn: Consumer Services Department
16552 N. 90th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85260 - Fax: (480) 656-6850
You can also call their Consumer Services line at 1-800-325-7775 if you have questions. Once you receive your report, review it carefully for errors or outdated entries.
How to Dispute or Remove an EWS Listing
If you find inaccurate or outdated information in your report, you have the right to dispute it. This is the first step to getting a bank to reconsider your application.
To file a dispute with Early Warning Services:
- Gather key details:
- Your EWS Consumer ID (listed on your report)
- The account or entry you’re disputing
- A signed written explanation of why it’s incorrect
- Supporting documents (bank statements, payment confirmations, etc.)
- Submit your dispute using the same contact methods above.
- Wait up to 30 days for a response.
If the dispute is successful, EWS will remove or update the entry. If it’s denied, you can add a written rebuttal that will appear in your file. This won’t delete the record, but it allows you to tell your side of the story when future banks review your report.
How to Avoid EWS Problems in the Future
Getting flagged by EWS can make banking difficult, but there are steps you can take to avoid it going forward:
- Pay fees on time: Unpaid bank fees often trigger negative reports.
- Avoid overdrafts: Sign up for alerts or link to a backup account to reduce risk.
- Don’t abandon accounts: Always close accounts properly—even ones you’re no longer using.
- Verify deposits: If you get a suspicious check, don’t deposit it without confirming it’s legit.
- Protect your information: Shared logins or suspicious activity can trigger fraud alerts.
Building a positive history with your current bank can also help offset past issues.
Second Chance Banking Options
If EWS is blocking you from opening a regular account, you might qualify for a second chance checking account. These accounts are designed for people with past banking issues and often come with fewer features—but they give you a way back into the system.
Some second chance accounts come with monthly fees, while others may waive them after a few months of positive account activity. A few banks even offer an upgrade path to a standard account once you’ve reestablished trust.
Look for second chance checking accounts that offer:
- No minimum balance requirements
- Low or no monthly fees
- Mobile banking access
- The ability to rebuild your account history
You can also look into banks and credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems or Early Warning Services at all. These financial institutions may be more willing to approve your application, even if your banking history has a few blemishes.
Opening a second chance or non-reporting account won’t erase your EWS file, but it gives you a practical way to move forward while you dispute errors or wait for negative items to fall off your report.
Watch Out for EWS Scams
When you’re locked out of the banking system, scammers will try to take advantage of your situation. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Don’t pay for your EWS report: It’s free once a year. If a website tries to charge you, it’s a scam.
- Ignore fake debt collectors: EWS doesn’t collect money. If someone claims they’re collecting on behalf of EWS, they’re lying.
- Avoid companies promising fast fixes: No one can guarantee removal of negative items. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Only work directly with EWS or the bank that reported the information. And never hand over your personal data to an unverified third party.
Final Thoughts
Early Warning Services plays a big role in whether you can open a bank account—but most people don’t even know it exists until it’s too late. If your report contains errors, you have every right to dispute them and set the record straight.
Getting back into the banking system might take time, but it’s possible. Check your report, follow through on disputes, and use a second chance account if needed. The sooner you act, the sooner you can move forward.
