What do I do about bad checks?

When you receive a bad check from someone, you need to provide verification that the check was received in Somersworth. You must deposit the check into your bank despite the fact that it will not be covered.

The next step is to send the writer of the check a certified letter giving them fourteen days to make good on the check. Included in the letter should be your bank fees and a certified letter fee. There is no guarantee you will get these back. The letter should also state that you will only accept cash or a bank check.

If it is not taken care of within the fourteen-day period, you need to turn it over to the Somersworth Police Department. If you hear from the person and out a payment plan, the Police Department can no longer help if they fail to complete the payment plan, as it is a civil suit at that point.

When you come to the PD, you should bring the letter you sent, the certified mail card stating they received the letter, and the letter from the bank – all of these need to be original copies. The PD will then send their own letter to the person who wrote the check giving them another fourteen days to pay what they owe. If it is not paid, the PD will then obtain bank records to determine if this is a pattern. At this point, the case is handed over to an officer who contacts the person. If the money owed is still not paid within a reasonable amount of time, the officer issues an arrest warrant.