Bounced checks?
 

Somebody wrote me a check that bounced and when I called the person and requested they make good on it, they hung up on me. If I go to their bank and request payment for the bounced check, will they do it? What are the rules governing this?

If the check bounced probably they don't have enough money to cover in the bank. I don't know which state you are from but just call the attorney general's office and ask them about it. In some state person can go to jail for that. But I don't think anyway you can make their bank pay for it.

call the county Sheriff they'll make it good.

most states have a bounced check statute that provides for 2x or 3x damages. Probably have to send him notice by letter.

You can try cashing it at the bank it is drawn on. Maybe you'll get lucky on the 1st or 15th of the month. If he has funds and the signatures match, they have to honor it.

If you do get lucky and cash it, it'll screw his account up even more, since he wasn't counting on you actually getting those funds. The poor bastard will probably bounce some more.

Depending on the amount, it may be more trouble than it's worth.

Good advice. Have used this tactic successfully in the past, although I've used the 2nd or the 16th to make sure the paycheck is deposited but other checks haven't beaten me to the motherload yet.

Some states have different rules regarding the amount of the check, and wether the written bad check is a misdemeanor or a felony.

Or, just show up with a bunch of burly guys and have the writer pay you in cash.

Or, go to his/her car, and get the approximate $ amount in parts off of it :D

No advice here, sorry, just how I approach personal checks; Many times over the years I've accepted personal checks from strangers - some local, some not. Each time, I've told the buyer not to bother with the check if it was no good - that if they needed what I was selling so bad as to steal for it, I'd rather just give it to them. I've never received a bad check (though I did have one guy suddenly change his mind on the puchase, and leave). Haven't offended anyone yet - they've all seemed to appreciate (or at least understand) my candor.

How about small claims Court? Get a judgment and attach his wages. People who write bad checks should have better phone mannners. Just a thought.
Paul
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98 E300

More than likely, yours wasn't the only bad check passed during the period, and you are probably one of several who have called for a resolution...not condoning his/her reaction, but after the mortgage lender, car note, utilities, consumer debt, etc. called, you are probably small potatoes at this point.

All previous posts were on target. It will take time, but you SHOULD pursue the matter and get your money...maybe you can screw up his/her day for all the time and effort you had to put forth to get your funds.

Put the banks phone number on speed dial, and call every day several times a day. It will take a while, but you will get your money. Don't let the check out of your hands. If the check was returned NSF you can call the bank as many times as you want. I once collected on several bad checks from the same person at one time. I had been calling the bank three times a day for two months. Some of these checks were almost two years old. This is better the getting a judgement because you can't squeeze blood from a turnip. These folks are good at hiding assets. Good luck.

CJ, I don't know where you are located, so I do not know the banking rules in your area but "catching" the funds in thier is the most direct method. Keep calling until the bank says it is good and then get down there asap. Here the bank will charge you a $5 fee to issue a certified bank check for the funds. I think most checks will not be honored after 120 days so if you can't get to it in that time, file with your local DA. Here you have to show that you tried to contact via certified mail before charges are filed and then collecting can take forever especially if they work out a $10 a month deal with the court. You can check availabilty before you accept in the future. Good luck, hope it was not for too much.

Would you mind if I asked what the amount was for?

If its $15, i think your SOL, if its $1500 then its most likly worth persuing

Not trying to offend, just asking
~Nate