Many of today's financial transactions are made with the touch of a button. But if a merchant makes a mistake, the customer could pay the consequences.

A customer accused of wrongdoing spoke with Consumer Champ Bill Clarke.

Tom Feist from Parker showed Call 7 for Help the threatening letters he received from TeleCheck.

"I've received two letters from them, threatening me. It's just extremely frustrating," said Feist.

The frustration started after his wife wrote a check for gas. He said the clerk ran the check through the TeleCheck system.

"He didn't give the check back to my wife. He kept the check, and then deposited the check, so we got billed twice for that transaction," said Feist.

Here's how the TeleCheck system is supposed to work. You write a check and the clerk runs it though a machine. The funds are transferred out of your account into the clerk's account electronically.

You get the check back as your receipt.

But this time, the gas station also cashed the check.

Once Feist caught the double billing, he ordered his bank to put a stop on the check.

"That's when the harassing telephone calls started from TeleCheck," said Feist.

The gas station has since gone out of business and TeleCheck is still demanding payment. Feist said he's tried to explain the case to TeleCheck's collection agency but to no avail.

So he turned to the media.

"So I actually copied several different organizations and you all responded," Feist said.

Call 7 for Help contacted TeleCheck. It said it regrets the inconvenience and has corrected the situation, but stands by its system and says Telecheck is highly accurate and its goal is to make paying by check easy.

Tom said he could never reach a TeleCheck supervisor or find an 800-number to contact the company.

So Call 7 for Help asked TeleCheck for a number consumers can call.

Call (877) 899-4544 to speak to a TeleCheck representative. Have your driver's license, checking account information, and a pen and paper available.

Other tips:

Regularly monitor payment records, bank accounts and bank statements to detect discrepancies.
Keep receipts of all transactions whether debit card, cash, credit card or check.
Contact your bank immediately if you have questions about a transaction involving your bank account.
Balance your checkbook monthly to catch unauthorized transactions and notify the bank immediately of any discrepancy