IACCE Responds:  CertifiChecks Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy   

IACCE would like to alert all the chambers in Illinois that CertifiChecks has filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy as of Thursday, February 26, 2009.  Certifichecks is a company used by many chambers as the vehicle for community-wide gift programs.   EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, NO CHAMBER MEMBER SHOULD ACCEPT ANY CERTIFICHECK GIFT CERTIFICATE. 

More information to come - Check back to http://www.iacce.org/certifichecks.php for updated info as we get it.

ACCE Responds:  Check out the American Chamber of Commerce Executive's Sample Documents for Chambers to use in responding. 

From CertifiChecks web site - http://www.certifichecks.com/-

Due to an extremely difficult economic environment, CertifiChecks, Inc., has ceased operations, effective immediately.

CertifiChecks will no longer administer gift certificate programs.

CertifiChecks gift certificate sales have been halted.

CertifiChecks is in the process of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Dayton, Ohio.

Do not deposit CertifiChecks gift certificates in the bank as they will be returned.

Merchants: Please remove all door and register decals.

If you have CertifiChecks gift certificates which you would like to submit for potential reimbursement, please remit to the address listed below.


CertifiChecks, Inc.
Attn: Redemption Dept.
PO Box 13603
Dayton, Ohio 45413

Respectfully,
The CertifiChecks Team

Advice from the Indiana Chamber Executives

If you have not done so, notify Board members immediately of the announcement made by Certifichecks to cease operations effective February 26.  Establish an executive board meeting within the next few days to discuss options that you have to try and recover any potential loss and to determine next steps. You’All need to decide what the Board wants you to do with outstanding checks, whether to stand behind them, redeem them for cash value, etc.

Draft an announcement for your executive board to approve to notify membership that shares the following information:

1. the national company many Chambers had contracted with to provide the gift certificate program for members announced on February 26th that they had ceased operation immediately, and was filing for bankruptcy.  The company’s sudden statement is available on the Internet at www.certifichecks.com. 

2. many chambers in Indiana and across the U.S. were using this program.

3. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, NO CHAMBER MEMBER SHOULD ACCEPT ANY CERTIFICHECK GIFT CERTIFICATE

4. Chamber staff members are attempting to determine the amount of purchased gift certificates that have not been used

5. Share that your exec board is scheduled to meet this week to discuss what the options are on behalf of the membership to try and recover any potential losses that members, their employees and fellow citizens may incur as the result of Certifichecks sudden and unexpected bankruptcy.

6. Close with a positive statement, such as, “for the past ____years, the Certificheck program had provided a way for us to drive business to our membership. Last year, more than $______ in gift certificates from the company were purchased for use only with our chamber member businesses. We deeply regret any inconvenience that this sudden announcement may cause, and pledge to do all that we can to protect our membership and to rectify the local situation to the best of our ability.

7. Close by stating that you will keep members informed as additional information is available to you.

**Do you have a recommendation for another resource IACCE can bring you?  E-mail the IACCE office at info@iacce.org and let us know what you think!