Bad Check Restitution Program of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office

From time to time, small businesses come across bounced checks.  The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has a Bad Check Restitution Program.  The program requires that the check be payed back and the check writer complete an educational course.  Details of the program can be found by following the link.

Here are the eligibility guidelines from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office Bad Check Restitution Program website, which is run by a third-party:

A check is Eligible if…

• The amount is no more than $2,500 (or multiple checks do not exceed this limit). There are no minimum dollar restrictions.
• It was received in San Bernardino County, deposited in a bank in exchange for goods or services and was presumed “good” at the time of acceptance.
• A “Courtesy Notice” was sent to check writer allowing 10 days to make the check good.
• A photo I.D. (driver’s license, military I.D., state identification card) was recorded at the time of transaction.
  

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, rent, or payroll check.
• The identity of the check writer is unknown.
• There is no amount, date or signature on the check.
• The check has not been processed by a bank.
• The check involves an “extension of credit” or was payment on an account.

There are other legal options to recover money owed by customers, depending on the situation.

The information you obtain at this blog is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established by reading or commenting on this blog. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

Copyright 2012 Michael Reiter Attorney at Law