If you’ve recently been denied a bank account or flagged for suspicious banking activity, it may be because of your Early Warning Report.
Most people are familiar with the credit bureaus- TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. But there’s another lesser-known player in the financial world that can cause major roadblocks for consumers – Early Warning Services.
While an Early Warning report is technically a type of consumer report, it doesn’t function like a credit report, and understanding it is key to protecting your banking future.
Unlike credit reports, which are more widely known and regulated, many consumers don’t even know this report exists until they’ve already been denied.
We explain what an Early Warning report is, how to get a copy of yours, how to dispute errors, and what steps you can take to get harmful information removed.
For a look at credit reporting errors, check out our practice page.
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What is an Early Warning Report?
An Early Warning Report is a consumer report used by financial institutions especially banks to evaluate your banking behavior.
Early Warning Services, the company that issues the report, was created by the same group behind peer-to-peer apps Zelle and Paze. This group is comprised of major banks, including PNC Bank, Truist, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, and Wells Fargo.
Unlike the credit bureaus – TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, Early Warning Services focuses exclusively on banking behavior, not credit usage. So, the Early Warning Report flags risky or suspicious banking activity like overdrafts, fraud, unpaid fees, or account misuse.
If you’ve had issues with a bank account, such as being closed for nonpayment or suspicious activity, that data might appear on your Early Warning Report. Your social security number, name, and banking history are all used to compile the report.
An Early Warning Report is considered a consumer report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) – meaning you have rights when it comes to accessing, disputing, and correcting the information it contains.
Unlike credit reports, an Early Warning Report typically contains only negative information – not your positive or routine banking activity.
How to Get Your Early Warning Report
Requesting your Early Warning Report is your legal right. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you’re entitled to one free copy every 12 months.
You can request your report directly through the Early Warning Services website, which includes a form you can submit online or by mail.
According to the website, there is no cost to complete your request but you’ll need to provide personally identifying information to receive it, including your:
- Social Security Number
- Your Name – First, Last, Middle, and Suffix
- Current Physical Address
- Mailing Address, if different from your current address
- Date of Birth
- Phone Number primary and alternate if applicable
- Copy of a government issued ID
If you’d prefer to request a copy by mail, send your request to:
Early Warning
5801 N. Pima Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Be sure to include the information mentioned above. Once your request is submitted, you should receive your report within a few weeks.
It’s a good idea to review it closely for errors or outdated information. If you’ve had past issues with a bank account, especially at institutions like Wells Fargo, Chase Bank, or PNC Bank – pay close attention to how that information is reported.
While you’re at it, consider requesting your reports from ChexSystems, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Each report gives a different perspective, and together they help you build a clearer picture of your overall financial profile.
How to Get Removed from Early Warning Services
Most people don’t discover Early Warning Services exists until they’re denied a new bank account. Unfortunately, by the time they check their report, the damage is already done.
If your Early Warning report contains negative information, getting it removed can restore your ability to bank, but removal doesn’t happen automatically- only under specific conditions.
To get information removed from your report, one of the following must happen:
- The data is proven to be inaccurate, incomplete, or fraudulent, through a formal dispute process
- The reporting bank voluntarily requests removal, often after resolving a dispute or correcting an error
- The information ages off naturally over time (typically after 5–7 years)
The only way to remove errors from your Early Warning report is to dispute them.
How to Dispute an Early Warning Report
Sometimes, your Early Warning report contains outdated, misleading, or entirely false information, especially in cases of fraud, identity theft, or mixed files.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute any incorrect information on your file. Here’s what you can do:
Step 1: Request Your EWS Report
Before you can dispute anything, you need to know what’s being reported. Request your consumer report directly from Early Warning Services. You can do this online or by mail. Visit their official website for the most up-to-date instructions.
Step 2: Review and Identify Errors
Go through the report line by line. Look for:
- Accounts you don’t recognize
- Paid-off debts still listed as unpaid
- Duplicate entries
- Fraud or identity theft–related activity
- Mixed files from someone with a similar name or SSN
Step 3: File Your Dispute
If you find an error, submit a written dispute to Early Warning Services. Be specific – explain the mistake and what you want them to do (e.g., delete or correct the item). Include documentation such as:
- Account statements or letters from the bank
- Settlement agreements
- Police reports for identity theft
- Screenshots or emails showing payment or account closure
You can also dispute directly with the reporting bank, which is often more effective. If the bank agrees there’s an error, they can instruct Early Warning Services to remove or update the record.
- For example, whether you’re dealing with a PNC dispute charge, filing a Chexsystem dispute, or trying to dispute Navy Federal Credit account information, the process is similar: gather evidence, submit your claim, and follow up.
Step 4: Follow Up and Track Results
Early Warning Services has 30 days to investigate your dispute. If the item is found to be inaccurate or unverifiable, it must be corrected or deleted. You’ll receive a letter with the results.
Keep copies of everything – dispute letters, responses, documentation. If your dispute is ignored or rejected without justification, you can escalate the issue by filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), or contacting a consumer protection attorney.
Bonus Tip: Check for Broader Issues
Errors in your Early Warning report may be part of a larger pattern. Consider requesting your consumer reports from:
- ChexSystems
- TransUnion
- Equifax
- Experian
If you’ve experienced fraud or identity theft, there could be inaccurate data across multiple reporting systems.
What to Expect After You Dispute or Request Removal
Once you’ve submitted a dispute or removal request, the waiting game begins. Early Warning Services is required to complete their investigation within 30 days of receiving your dispute. If the bank agrees that the information is wrong or has been resolved, the entry will be updated or removed.
You’ll typically get a written response detailing the outcome. If the dispute is successful, it may take a few weeks for the changes to show up. You can request another copy of your Early Warning Report to confirm the update.
It’s crucial to monitor your other consumer reports as well, especially ChexSystems and your credit scores with the credit bureaus.
These organizations sometimes share data, and a corrected error in one report doesn’t always carry over to the others.
An Early Warning Report can impact more than just your ability to open a checking account.
Some employers, government programs, and housing providers may consider your banking history in their decision-making processes. That’s why keeping your report accurate matters so much.
Do I Need Legal Help For Early Warning Report Errors
If your Early Warning Report is keeping you from opening accounts, getting housing, or advancing at work and disputes have failed, it may be time to seek legal support.
In some cases, you may be entitled to compensation if the errors in your report caused real harm. Legal help is especially valuable if your social security number was used fraudulently or if you’ve experienced multiple rejections despite providing evidence of errors.
Here are six signs it may be time to involve an attorney:
- You’ve disputed the report, and nothing has changed – despite providing documentation.
- You’re being denied accounts repeatedly due to the same error that hasn’t been corrected.
- You suspect identity theft or fraud and haven’t been able to get banks or agencies to take you seriously.
- You’ve lost a job, housing, or other opportunity due to your Early Warning Report.
- You’ve been emotionally or financially harmed by the continued fallout of inaccurate reporting.
- You’ve just straight-up been ignored. Not acknowledging, investigating, and responding to your dispute is unlawful.
At Consumer Justice Law Firm, our consumer protection attorneys help you understand your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Electronic Funds Transfer Act, and more. We hold financial institutions accountable.
GET JUSTICE! Fight for Fixes & Money
An Early Warning Report might seem like a minor detail, but it can have major consequences. From closed accounts to denied applications, this little-known report can stand between you and the financial stability you deserve.
Remember, this isn’t just about a single bank or a single mistake. It’s about ensuring your consumer reports reflect the truth. Whether it’s Early Warning Services, ChexSystems, TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian – stay informed, stay proactive, and don’t be afraid to fight for what’s rightfully yours.
Taking action now could be the difference between another bank rejection and a fresh start.
Consumer Justice Law Firm will help you reclaim your financial and credit identity.
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