Dishonored Check Information Exchange Service (DCIES)

Many consumers still prefer paying for airline tickets with a check instead of a credit card. Airlines that provide trouble-free check acceptance have an advantage over the competition, but increase their risk of accepting bad checks. ARINC solves this problem affordably with an easy-to-access, industry-standard database: the Dishonored Check Information Exchange Service (DCIES).

DCIES contains more than 145,000 records of bad checks written to airlines. Members record their bad-check experience using familiar airline industry-standard "update" messages. When accepting a check for payment, the member airline simply keys in the payee's driver's license number, bank account number, or both. A driver's license number editor helps spot forged or counterfeit licenses. DCIES then identifies bad-check writers—quickly and reliably.

No other service provides airlines with access to their own industry bad-check database using standard credit card message formats, making check acceptance as fast and easy as credit card authorization.

For additional protection, DCIES also offers optional access to TeleCheck's national check-verification database.

Key DCIES features include:

• Fast check verification—Provides fast and reliable responses
• Validated update messages—Immediately notifies members that a bad-check record has been properly entered
• Risk management—Monthly usage reports allow members to spot fraudulent trends and calculate DCIES effectiveness
• Industry supervision—The Air Transport Association Credit Panel determines DCIES overall direction and enhancements

Your computer reservation system probably already has a link to ARINC, so it's easy to get started with DCIES. Membership requires a simple one-year contract with ARINC and an agreement with other DCIES members to follow a common set of rules. The TeleCheck service requires a separate contract.

DCIES is available on a subscription basis for a flat fee, regardless of usage, or on a pro rata basis.