Citibank download creates many duplicate check numbers

ddlar

For the past few months when I download transctions into Quicken from Citibank (using Express Web Connect) there are dummy check numbers in the transactions (e.g., anything paid with Zelle gets check number 36, etc.). This is causing Quicken to ask if each transaction is a duplicate.

Is there any way to suppress this behavior in Quicken?

NotACPA

If you log into Citi's website, are the check numbers shown there?

ddlar

Citibank does not show any check number at all for most of these transactions. It is only showing check numbers for real checks. The transactions that are downloading with duplicate check numbers don't show any check number at all when I look at my statement or online.

ddlar

I also tried downloading a QFX file from Citibank. The duplicate check numbers are not in the downloaded file either.

UKR

The process to create a QFX file is different from what is being used to "screen scrape" new transaction data off a webpage.

Can you show us image snapshots of how such a Zelle transaction appears on your register on the Citi website as compared to other non-Zelle transactions? And how does this transaction look like in your Quicken account register, before you remove the check number?

Is it possible that there's a bad memorized entry in the Memorized Payee List which, when pulled up, causes the problem?

If might be best if you called Quicken Support on the phone during posted hours of operation and reported this problem. Let them do a screen share session with you to review the situation on your computer, to determine the nature of the problem and to figure out how to fix it. This may have to be escalated to a higher level support team.

How to attach image snapshots to Community posts

Can you please capture one or more images of the parts of your Quicken window showing the issue, sensitive information blacked out as necessary to protect your privacy, and attach the image(s) here?
How do I post a screenshot in the community from windows

How do I post a screenshot in the community from a mac

Please save images to files of file type PNG or JPG only. They're easier to work with than PDF files.

ddlar

The problem occurs with Zelle payments and all other electronic debits (but, not credits). These involve many payees. Every Zelle transaction has check number 36. Every, automatic debit (e.g., cc payments, utility payments, etc.) all have check number 1410065407.

What I see on the Citibank website is that all the enties with check number 1410065407 have a description that starts with "ACH Electronic Debit". This text does not appear in my Quicken register.

For the Zelle entries the online descriptions start with "Zelle Debit". That also does not appear in the Quicken register.

The memorized payee suggestion seemed like a good idea. But, I can't find any memorized payees or renaming rules that might be applicable to the entries that I spot checked. I tried searching memorized payees for "ACH" and "Zelle" and found nothing. Perhaps, I'm not looking at this correctly?

UKR

Thanks for providing more details.

You may have to request Citibank to change what they download to Quicken and/or report this as an issue to Quicken Support, for research and escalation to higher support levels. Maybe either Citi or Intuit (as the higher support level) can change how they parse ("screen scrape") the bank's webpage and ignore these transaction numbers in the downloads.

Until that changes you can turn off the "warn if a check number is reused" notification in Edit / Preferences / Notify.

ddlar

Thanks. I will poke around a bit longer, but if I still can't find anything I'll contact Quicken support. My thinking on this is that if it really is a Citibank issue there would be many reports about the issue in this forum. So, I still suspect it's something in my config.

cruiser227

Same for me with my Citi updates for the last few months(?). Zelle check # comes in with 34 (incoming Zelle) or 36 (outgoing Zelle). I also receive check # 1410065407 for a non Zelle outbound payment. True Citi transfers and bill pays have their correct check #.