When a person receives a bad check, they are required by California Statutes to notify the check writer.  If the check writer resolves the check at this point, it is no longer an issue.

      However, if the check writer refuses to make restitution, the check can be turned over to this Check Enforcement Program.  Because this is a diversion program, there is a strong incentive for check writers to comply. The check writer now has two choices: to comply with the requirements of the Program or face possible prosecution.

     For the victim the process is easy:

      Victims submit the original check(s) attached to a completed Check Complaint Form. Multiple checks (from the same check writer) may be attached to the same form.

      From that point, the Program works directly with the check writer to obtain restitution. Besides paying the full amount of the check, the check writer is required to pay a service fee to the victim as well as pay the administrative cost of the program. Finally, they are required to complete a Check Writer’s Educational Course.

       If the check writer does not comply with the requirements of the Program, prosecution proceedings can begin. However, if the case cannot be successfully prosecuted, we will return the check to you for private collection or hold the check in an inactive status. If we receive additional information about the check writer, the check case can be re-activated and further investigation can take place.

 Benefits for the entire community

      While the primary goal of the program is returning more to businesses and individuals who have lost money to bad check crime, there are aspects of the program that help all of us.

     Check writers pay all the costs of the Program, so victims pay nothing. And no tax money goes to pay for this program. That means NO COST for merchants, taxpayers or local government.

 Fewer bad checks

      Another important goal of the Program is for fewer bad checks to be issued in the first place. Prevention is preferable to prosecution. Prevention takes several forms in the Check Enforcement Program.

      Click on those links to learn more about how we work to help merchants and other victims avoid accepting bad checks and how we work to help bad check offenders avoid writing them.