This office may be able to assist you in recovering funds from a worthless check (often called a bad, bounced or dishonored check).  Before this office can assist you, you need to answer the following questions

A "yes" answer to any of the above questions indicates this office can not assist you.  Depending on the funds involved you should contact a small claims court or civil attorney on how to proceed.  If all of the above questions were answered "no", you should proceed as follows:

1.     Send the check writer a "Statutory Notice" letter advising them the check was not honored and that they have fifteen days to tender payment.  Complete the statutory letter on this website or copy the sample letter on the Worthless Check Complaint form.  Please see the bottom of this page under attachments to download the worthless check statutory notice letter.  You will need Adobe reader to view and print this document.  You can download this application here.

The check writer must pay you with cash, a money order, or a certified check.  Do not take another check from the check writer.  Also do not take a partial payment from the check writer.

2.     After 15 days have passed and if you have not received payment or if the letter is returned undeliverable, complete the Worthless Check Complaint form and submit it to this office.   Please see the bottom of this page under attachments to download the worthless check complaint form.  You will need Adobe reader to view and print this document.  You can download this application here.

Once a complaint has been filed with our office, all restitution payments must be coordinated by the State Attorney Worthless Check Recovery Program.  Should the check writer contact you to make payment, direct them to the State Attorney Worthless Check Recovery Program at (305) 292-3400  Ext. 3679.