What is Early Warning Services (EWS)?

Early Warning Services (EWS) is a consumer reporting agency focused on bank account fraud and misuse. It collects data on negative account activity including accounts closed with unpaid overdrafts, fraudulent transactions, and accounts terminated for cause. When you apply to open a checking account, some banks check EWS in addition to (or instead of) ChexSystems.

EWS and ChexSystems are two separate systems that track similar information. Both exist to help banks screen out applicants with a history of account abuse. The main difference is ownership. ChexSystems is owned by eFunds and reports to the traditional credit bureau ecosystem. EWS is owned by a consortium of the largest U.S. banks: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Capital One, PNC, U.S. Bancorp, and Truist. Because EWS is run by the banks themselves, its data sharing is tighter within that network. A negative EWS record at Chase is likely to be visible to Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and the other owner banks faster than a ChexSystems hit would be.

The banks most likely to check EWS are the seven owner banks and their affiliated brands. If you have had an account closed for cause at one of those seven banks, opening a new account at another one of them carries a higher risk of denial than opening at an unaffiliated bank. Banks outside the owner network may check EWS selectively, but it is less common than ChexSystems in the broader market.

Like ChexSystems, EWS is subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This means you have the right to request a free copy of your EWS report once every 12 months. You can do this at earlywarning.com. If your report contains errors, you have the right to dispute them through the same FCRA process as any other consumer report. EWS is required to investigate and correct accurate records within a reasonable time. Negative EWS entries typically remain on your report for up to seven years from the date of the incident.

Opening a new account for a bonus does not automatically create an EWS record. EWS only reports negative outcomes. Using an account normally, earning a bonus, and closing cleanly after the hold period will not affect your EWS report. The check itself is a soft pull at most banks, meaning it does not affect your credit score. See the Chase Total Checking bonus page for notes on how Chase uses both EWS and ChexSystems in its approval process.