When my parked 2006 VW Passat was smashed in the rear by a driver, it was towed to VW of Bayside, located at 31 Watermill Lane, Great Neck, NY. When I went to pick up my car, I endorsed the insurance check to VW of Bayside and wrote a personal check for the balance. I was asked for my license as an identification to pick up my car but, in fact, they, without my knowing, called Certegy Payment at 1-800-770-3792 and told me my check was denied. Denied? There were sufficient funds and who the hell is Certegy? VW of Bayside told me they use an outside, third party service, Certegy, to decide whether or not to accept someone's personal checks. VW of Bayside had RELAYED my personal license and banking information to Certegy without my knowledge or permission. I asked to see the Manager, Valentine Nathan, or his Assistant Manager, both of whom were conveniently off premises. I spoke to Mr. Nathan by phone and when asked, he told me he DID NOT KNOW how Certegy obtained their information about my checking account or how it is that Certegy tells VW of Bayside to deny a check even when there are funds.
This is such a violation of privacy and clearly, an unethical, illegal practice because when I gave VW of Bayside my debit card, the funds were there. Trying to speak to a human being at Certegy is impossible. I am filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau, The Federal Trade Commission and any other entity who might stop people like Certegy and VW of Bayside from unfair, unscrupulous business acts.
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