BAD CHECK RESTITUTION PROGRAM
On this page you will find the following information:
A MESSAGE FROM RONALD J. SCHAFER, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY:
"As your Prosecuting Attorney, I'm ALWAYS concerned about the negative impact of bad checks passed to local businesses. Millions of dollars are lost every year by merchants as a result of this ongoing problem. Bad checks affect everyone in terms of higher consumer costs that must be passed on to offset losses, and increased taxes to cover the additional costs for law enforcement and prosecution.
In an effort to combat this problem, I have organized the BAD CHECK RESTITUTION PROGRAM to assist local merchants with bad check losses. The primary goal of the program is to obtain full restitution for the victim without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system.
First time bad check offenders are given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by attending a mandatory intervention class, in addition to paying restitution. All of this is accomplished without any cost to the taxpayers.
Your interest and participation in this special program will benefit all law-abiding citizens and help your buisness improve its bottom line!"
CUTTING YOUR LOSSES IS AS EASY AS 1-2-3
1. Make personal contact with the check writer. If you are unsuccessful, send a statutory certified notice. The check writer has 5 days to repsond and remit payment.
2. If you do not hear from the check writer or receive payment, contact the Bad Check Restitution Program at 1-866-382-9303 for a crime report or visit our website at www.checkprogram.com/ioniacountymi
3. Fill out the crime report, keep copies and attach originals of all checks and notification documents, such as the return receipts and bank notices, and mail to:
Ionia County Prosecuting Attorney
Bad Check Restitution Program
P.O. Box 505
Ionia, MI 48846-0505
or call the Mercharnt Care Hotline at 1-866-382-9303
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The Ionia County Prosecuting Attorney's Bad Check Restitution Program Works because:
- Bad check reports are easy to file, and follow-up action is prompt.
- Upon recovery, 100% of the face value of the check is returned to the merchant.
- There is no minimum dollar restriction on bad check
- Offenders must complete an educational class at their own expense.
- The program operates at no cost to the coutny or taxpayers.
A CHECK IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM IF:
- The amount is no more than $2,500.00 (or multiple checks do not exceed this limit). There are no minimum dollar restricitons.
- The check was received in Ionia County, deposited in a bank in exchange for goods or services and was presumed "good" at the time of acceptance.
- A "Statutory Certified Notice" was sent to the check writer allowing 5 days to make the check good.
- It is submitted to the program within 90 days from the date on the check. If you have a backlog of checks and are filing with our program for the first time, we will accept check no later than 10 months from the check date.
- A photo I.D. (driver's licenses or state identification card) was recorded at the time of transaction.
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A CHECK IS INELIGIBLE IF:
- It is post-dated.
- Both parties knew there were insufficient funds at the time of transaction.
- It is a two-party, government, credit card, payroll, or rent check.
- There is no amount, date, or signature on the check.
- The check has not been processed by a bank
- The numeric and written amounts on the check do not match.
- The check involves an "extension of credit" or was payment on an account.
Checks ineligible for the Ionia County Prosectuing Attorney Bad Check Restitituion Program may be pursued bia the Small Claims Court process or by a private collection agency.
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CHECK ACCEPTANCE TIPS:
- Institute a check acceptance policy. A clearly posted policy for your employees and customers can reduce your losses.
- Accept checks written only with today's date. Post-dated checks are civil matters and are not accepted in the Ionia County Prosecuting Attorney Bad Check Restitution Program.
- Trust your instincts! If something doesn't seem right, ask questions or ask for another form of payment. You are not obligated to accept a check.
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