As a result, all sales of CertifiChecks have halted and customers possessing them cannot use them in commissaries at this time.
The company Web site, www.certifichecks.com, announced effective Feb. 26 that it will "no longer administer gift certificate programs" and further advised customers with CertifiChecks to "submit for potential reimbursement" to the following address: CertifiChecks, Inc., Attn: Redemption Dept., 1435 Shoup Mill Road, Dayton, Ohio, 45414.
"What has happened to CertifiChecks is similar to what is going on today with many businesses being adversely affected by the current economic downturn," said Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA's director and chief executive officer. "Unfortunately, in this case the situation directly affects commissary customers."
"I regret the impact this is likely to have on our customers," he added. "However, as an appropriated fund entity, in accordance with federal law we can no longer accept these certificates at this time. We are, however, looking for an alternative solution to fulfill our customers' requests for commissary gift certificates."
DeCA entered into a business agreement with CertifiChecks, Inc., in September 2002 to provide gift certificates redeemable in commissaries in denominations ranging from $5 to $100. Anyone could purchase the certificate but only authorized customers could use them. Purchasers could obtain them in commissaries, by phone, or online for a fee of $4.95 that went to CertifiChecks for the cost of printing, mailing and handling of up to 20 certificates per order. DeCA received no income from its agreement with CertifiChecks, Inc.