They’re making a list – and no, it’s not Santa Claus. But it does contain the names of checking accounts for bad credit, and you want to make sure you aren’t on it. If you are, it will be difficult for you to open a bank account anywhere, and, as you know, it’s almost impossible to live a normal life without a checking account.

And what will get you on that list of naughty people? If you’re guilty of doing shady or illegal banking operations, such as trying to cash bad checks, ignoring your bank fees, or defaulting on bank loan payments, then you will rapidly come to the attention of the powers that be. And of course if the bank has closed any of your accounts you can be sure you’ve been added to the list of bad banking customers. Now when you try to open a new account, even if at another bank, you will be denied that privilege. Caught! You’ve been added to the ChexSystems list.

ChexSystems is a powerful business whose clients are most banks. These banks have given ChexSystems their lists of bad banking customers which include business checking accounts for bad credit, checking accounts for bad credit with checks, and checking accounts for people with bad credit. If you’re on the ChexSystems lists, you probably won’t be able to open a bank account with any of their clients.

How to avoid ChexSystems? You must be a good little banking customer, and not issue checks that bounce, for one thing. It’s fairly easy to make this kind of mistake. Three obvious mistakes include:

1. Forgetting your bank balance,
2. Not allowing enough time for your deposits to clear, or
3. Innocently depositing a bad check given to you by someone else that eventually bounces.

To avoid those dire events, just keep accurate records of your account balance. Check your monthly account statements. Wait until deposits clear before spending them. Always make sure you have money in the bank to cover the check you are writing. If you’re not sure of what your balance is, call the bank!

Remember: deposits may take up to 7 business days to clear from the time you deposit the money. International checks can take up to two weeks to clear.

So if you want to avoid getting on the lists of checking accounts for bad credit, business checking accounts for bad credit, checking accounts for bad credit with checks or checking accounts for people with bad credit, you must find a bank that does not use ChexSystems. Or you can open an internet checking account for bad credit. There is always the prepaid debit card option, which is not always convenient.

Finally you can wait five years to pass without being naughty even once in that time!