Each year merchants and
other businesses lose millions of dollars to worthless checks. Worthless checks
affect everyone, pushing the costs of goods and services higher. As you know,
they can be devastating to a business. Make no mistake, unlawfully issuing a
worthless check is a crime. In an effort to combat
the losses from bad checks I have organized a Check Enforcement Program. The
focus of the program is to assist merchants, but this pre-complaint diversion
program benefits everyone in our county. Our primary goal is to
assure FULL restitution for the victim - including any bank charges - without
adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system. Merchants and other
businesses in our county benefit from the program because they receive
restitution without paying any fees. The Program is FREE to all who participate. Eligible bad check
writers benefit from the opportunity to avoid traditional criminal prosecution
by completing an offender education course and making restitution (however, if
he or she fails to complete the program, formal prosecution may begin). Finally,
an improved economic climate in Cumberland County helps us all, businesses and
individuals alike. To take advantage of
this new program you need only register. It’s free and you will receive 100% of
any check we are successful in recovering - plus a fee to cover your bank
charges. If worthless checks are
a concern of your business, I encourage you to participate. Read through this
brochure to learn how this program can benefit you. There is a registration form
you can complete in just a few moments. Detach the form and return it. Just by registering you
will receive a packet of information and materials that can help reduce the
number of worthless checks you receive. I invite you to try the
Check Enforcement Program and help my office reduce this costly crime.
