Since 2002, CertifiChecks, Inc. operated and managed the Ann Arbor Gold program offered by the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce. Under the program, our members and others purchased Ann Arbor Gold certificates that could be used like cash at local businesses. On February 26, 2009, CertifiChecks announced it was ceasing operations in anticipation of a bankruptcy filing, which it made in Ohio on April 13, 2009 as a prelude to complete liquidation. The result is that many of those who purchased Ann Arbor Gold certificates cannot use them and whose only option may be to make a claim in the bankruptcy proceeding.
Although CertifiChecks remains the only party legally responsible for the value of unredeemed certificates it issued, the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce has decided to use its own funds to provide relief to those who purchased certain Ann Arbor Gold certificates. Accordingly, beginning on May 1, 2009 at 9am and ending at 5pm, Eastern time, on July 15, 2009, the Chamber will redeem the face amount of CertifiChecks certificates that bear the “ Ann Arbor Gold” logo and an issue date of February 26, 2008 through February 26, 2009. Subject to the same restrictions, the Chamber will also redeem CertifiChecks Ann Arbor Gold certificates from merchants who received them as payment from customers at any time after February 26, 2008 that were not accepted for deposit and returned to the merchant.
Holders of certificates issued under the name of any organization other than the Chamber or that bear an issue date before February 26, 2008, or who fail to redeem their certificates with the Chamber in the manner prescribed below by 5pm, Eastern time on July 15, 2009, are not eligible for any payment from the Chamber and will likely have no recourse other than filing a proof of claim with the Federal Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Ohio.
To be eligible for certificate redemption, certificate holders MUST follow these steps:
1) Download the Redemption Form from the Chamber website at www.annarborchamber.org. If you do not have Internet access or access to a printer, please contact the Chamber office at 734.665.4433. The Chamber will fax or mail a copy of the Redemption Form to you. The Redemption Form also includes instructions on how to obtain your redemption payment.
2) Complete the first page of the Redemption Form and return it to the Chamber only by mail, fax or email for receipt no later than 5pm, Eastern Time, on July 15, 2009. The Chamber will not be responsible for CertifiChecks issued in the name of any other organization or for out of date certificates.
3) The Chamber will notify those certificate holders who have properly satisfied the requirements for redemption when their redemption payment will be available for pick-up at the Chamber offices.
4) After receiving that notice, you may retrieve your redemption payment only in person at the Chamber’s office at 115 West Huron Street, 3rd floor, at any time on or before July 31, 2009 and during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm. In order to receive your redemption payment, you must:
a. present proper identification;
b. surrender your original, qualifying certificates; and
c. sign the receipt included as part of the Redemption Form.
The Chamber will not issue any redemption payments after the close of business on July 31, 2009.
The Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce worked diligently to gather information about this unfortunate development and determined this was the best course of action for our members and other participants in the Ann Arbor Gold program. We apologize for any inconvenience this situation has caused all participants in the Ann Arbor Gold program.
The ann arbor area chamber of commerce is a 1,400-member community non-profit organization that actively facilitates, educates, and advocates on behalf of its members through our services and programs. Chamber member offerings include numerous networking opportunities and events, educational seminars, leadership development, member-to-member discounts and access to health insurance.
