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While most large companies will run bad checks back through the bank a second time, you probably don't want to incur multiple bank charges for the same check if you are a small business owner or just an individual or organization who is the recipient of a bad check. Contact the person by phone and follow up with an email if you have their address. When you contact the check writer, give him or her a deadline to resolve the problem, usually a week or two. Ask the person to contact you if the deadline isn't convenient and to make arrangements to resolve the issue. If the check writer does not respond within the deadline, send him a letter via certified mail that you will be contacting his local police department, since writing bad checks is considered theft. If you don't hear from the check writer after the first or maybe second contact, ask your attorney to draft a more formal letter and have it delivered via certified mail. Only accept cash from the bad check writer to cover the check and your returned check fee so you don't have to worry about more bank charges if a check bounces again or if you run a credit card. They will handle collections on bad checks for you. Their fees are a legitimate business expense and they take the hassle and embarrassment of dealing with bad check writers out of your hands. You can set up these services so bad checks go directly from your bank to the check recovery service. They will then begin electronic collection of the bad check and send you a report. You usually get 100 percent of the check value and can even get rebates to help you cover your bank charges, depending on your contract with the service. Check recovery service providers include Global Check Recovery, Fiserv, and Check Recovery Systems.
Contact the check writer directly as soon as a check is returned to you. Keep a record of the date and time you contact the check writer. Subscribe to a check recovery service.