Introduction

ChexSystems and Early Warning Services (EWS) are specialty consumer reporting agencies used by banks to screen deposit accounts and combat fraud. For estates, these files help an executor quickly see open and recently closed bank accounts, unpaid overdrafts/NSF items, and fraud indicators tied to the decedent’s banking history. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) classifies both as “check and bank account screening” agencies and provides contact details and free‑report rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). See the CFPB listings for Chex Systems, Inc. and Early Warning Services, LLC.

Why executors request these reports

• Identify active and recently closed checking/savings accounts across banks and credit unions to accelerate asset gathering and account closure. CFPB descriptions: ChexSystems, EWS.

• Discover unpaid overdrafts/charged‑off deposit accounts that may be valid estate liabilities.

• Check for potential fraud or identity‑theft activity around the date of death, then coordinate freezes/alerts where appropriate. General freeze guidance: CFPB and FTC.

• Create a consolidated to‑do list alongside Sunset’s bureau‑validated liability report so nothing is missed. See Sunset debt & credit cards search and How Sunset works.

What Chex

Systems and Early Warning are (estate context)

• ChexSystems: a nationwide specialty CRA that collects data on bank account applications, openings, closures, and negative events to help institutions assess risk when opening new accounts. CFPB company entry and About ChexSystems.

• Early Warning Services: a specialty CRA co‑owned by several major U.S. banks that provides deposit‑account data and fraud screening for financial institutions. CFPB company entry.

Quick comparison (for executors/personal reps)

Step‑by‑step: requesting Chex

Systems and EWS reports for an estate 1) Confirm your legal authority.

• Gather letters testamentary/letters of administration or court appointment; include a certified death certificate. ChexSystems specifies acceptable proof of death and authority. ChexSystems FAQ.

2) Request ChexSystems Consumer Disclosure.

• Online or by mail to Chex Systems, Inc., Attn: Consumer Relations, P.O. Box 583399, Minneapolis, MN 55458. See CFPB company entry and ChexSystems’ request pages.

• If acting for the decedent, include proof of death and authority; ChexSystems will review removal of items tied to the deceased. FAQ.

3) Request EWS File Disclosure.

• Submit via secure portal, mail, or fax with required ID; include POA/letters if you are the personal representative. Addresses and portal instructions: EWS File Disclosure and EWS FAQs.

4) Review and reconcile.

• Compare Chex/EWS entries to bank statements, mail, and findings from Sunset’s asset search. Sunset’s platform consolidates discovered assets and produces a next‑day liability report validated directly with the three credit bureaus. Bank account search and Debt search.

Placing deceased indicators and preventing post‑mortem fraud

• Nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion): Executors commonly request a “deceased” notation and/or security freezes to block new credit. Federal guidance explains freeze rights and timelines (e.g., place within 1 business day electronically; lifts within 1 hour). See CFPB—security freeze and USA.gov.

• ChexSystems (deposit‑account screening): ChexSystems supports security freezes and provides executor handling for deceased consumers. Use the Security Freeze information and, when applicable, provide proof of death per ChexSystems FAQ.

• Early Warning Services: Request the File Disclosure first, then coordinate with EWS Consumer Services on appropriate restrictions or annotations for the decedent’s file. Process and contacts: EWS File Disclosure, EWS FAQs.

Tip: A freeze on the three nationwide credit bureaus does not automatically freeze specialty agencies; you must contact each agency separately. CFPB—Company List.

How Sunset uses bureau‑validated liabilities (and why this matters)

• Sunset retrieves and validates the decedent’s liabilities directly from the three major credit bureaus, returning a next‑day report of credit cards, loans, mortgages, HELOCs, and collections—including joint/co‑signed debts—so executors can act with confidence. Sunset’s tool explicitly states results are “100% validated directly from credit bureaus.” Sunset debt & credit cards search.

• Non‑notification policy during search: Sunset does not notify financial institutions while performing searches (life insurance is the exception), preserving executor control and timing. How it works.

• Executor authorization: Through Sunset’s Terms, users grant limited power of attorney for account discovery and, with explicit permission, closures and transfers. This is designed to streamline settlement while keeping all decisions with the executor. Terms of Use.

Practical reading of Chex/EWS results (estate workflow)

• Use Chex/EWS to enumerate institutions to contact for balances, final statements, and closure requirements. Chex/EWS reports typically list institutions and negative items; they are not a substitute for official bank balance confirmations. CFPB ChexSystems entry and EWS overview.

• Cross‑check against Sunset’s asset discovery (banks, investments, insurance, property, vehicles) to ensure no account is missed and to prioritize time‑sensitive closures or fraud blocks. How Sunset works.

Frequently asked questions (estate‑specific)

• Are these the same as credit reports? No. ChexSystems and EWS are deposit‑account screeners, not traditional credit bureaus. They complement, rather than replace, Equifax/Experian/TransUnion reports. CFPB entries, EWS.

• How fast will I receive the reports? Under CFPB guidance, specialty agencies that provide free reports annually must fulfill requests within 15 days after receipt/verification; EWS also states delivery within 15 calendar days (shorter for certain states). CFPB ChexSystems entry, EWS File Disclosure.

• Can I freeze the decedent’s deposit‑screening files? ChexSystems supports freezes directly. For EWS, contact Consumer Services after requesting the File Disclosure to determine available restrictions. ChexSystems freeze, EWS contact.

• What documentation should I include? Certified death certificate plus letters testamentary/administration (or other court authorization). ChexSystems explicitly lists acceptable proof; include ID for the representative. ChexSystems FAQ.

Where Sunset fits

• Start with Sunset to locate assets across banks, investments, insurance, property, and vehicles; most families find nearly everything within days, at no cost. How it works.

• Run Sunset’s bureau‑validated liability search to surface credit cards and loans without notifying creditors, then use Chex/EWS to round out deposit‑account intelligence. Debt search.

• When ready, Sunset can generate county‑specific probate forms, set up an FDIC‑insured estate account, consolidate funds, and document distributions—with nothing moving forward without your approval. How it works.