The primary goal
– and the primary activity – of the Check Enforcement Program is to recover
money lost to bad check crime. It is very important that the bad checks referred
to the Program meet basic requirements. The Program Guidelines, a publication
that is part of the Bad Check Protection Kit, explains those requirements in
detail.
Once a check is accepted into the Program we
contact the check writer by letter and phone. The check writer is required to
complete the requirements of the Program that include:
·
Pay full restitution of the bad check(s)
·
Pay a victim fee to cover any additional fees the victim has incurred
·
Pay a Program administrative fee
·
Complete an Educational Course to help them get their finances under control and
avoid future bad checks
If all the requirements are met, the writer
avoids prosecution. However, if the check writer does not comply with the
Program requirements, he or she faces possible prosecution that could result in
a criminal record.
Returning Recovered Funds
The Program returns all money obtained for the
victim. Any amount that is recovered is sent
within seven days of the Program receiving restitution from the check writer.
The Program returns 100% of the amount recovered
on behalf of the victim. Again, it costs nothing to participate in the program.
Bad check writers pay the entire cost of the Program.