OUR PROGRAM
The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Bad Check Division is pleased to announce that we provide, as a free service to the citizens of Christian County, the collection and prosecution of bad checks that have been passed in Christian County, Missouri. This service costs nothing to you the taxpayer, and all administrative costs associated with the collection of these bad checks are paid by the bad check writers.
Bad checks are bad for business, bad for the economy, and bad for the Christian County community. Bad checks cost our community thousands of dollars each year. A loss to a community merchant is a loss to the entire community. We are confident that with your help we can collect bad checks and successfully prosecute bad check writers. Please follow the instructions below to submit a bad check to our office.
HOW TO SUBMIT A BAD CHECK TO OUR OFFICE
Before you submit a bad check to this office for prosecution please read the following policy.
1. When a check has been returned to you from the bank for insufficient funds or because the account has been closed, try to collect the check by sending written notice to the check writer that the check did not clear and demand payment.
2. If you have not received payment within 30 days, bring or send by mail the original check, a copy of any letters demanding payment, and the Bad Check Form and Probable Cause Statement below. Send a completed Bad Check Form and PC Statement for EACH bad check submitted.
DOWNLOAD THE BAD CHECK REFERRAL FORM
DOWNLOAD BAD CHECK PC STATEMENT
3. This office will send a demand letter. Do not accept payment after the check has been sent to our office. By doing so you may compromise our collection efforts and criminal prosecution.
4. If this office does not receive payment within thirty days of the demand letter, we will then review the bad check to determine if criminal charges can be brought. You may be required to appear in court and testify.
5. When the office does receive payment, we will then forward the payment on to you.
SOME DO’S & DON’TS WHEN ACCEPTING CHECKS
* Identify the check writer by photographic I.D., preferably by their Missouri Driver’s License or Non-Driver I.D. Ensure that the photo matches the check writer.
* Take as much information about the individual passing the check as possible including social security number, current address, date of birth, and phone number.
* Make sure the check is filled out in your presence.
* Do not accept postdated checks.
* Do not accept two-party checks (where the check is made payable to someone other than the person or business accepting the check, such as payroll checks).
* Do not accept a “held check” where the check writer tells you that the funds will be deposited on a later date.
CONTACT US:
Bad Check Division
Christian County Prosecuting Attorney
102 W. Walnut, First Floor
Ozark, MO 65721
(417) 581-7915
Adrienne.Medvec@prosecutors.mo.gov
SEND BAD CHECKS TO:
Bad Check Division
Christian County Prosecuting Attorney
102 W. Walnut, First Floor
Ozark, MO 65721
Office Hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.