1. The transaction in which the worthless check was presented must have taken place in TUSCALOOSA COUNTY , ALABAMA . A worthless check mailed from another locale (including another state) may be referred to the WCU if it was mailed or delivered to Tuscaloosa County .
   
   
2. All worthless checks MUST be referred to the Worthless Check Unit no later than ONE YEAR from the date the check is dated and/or was presented.
   
   
3. In order to file a complaint with the Worthless Check Unit, the check(s) in question should be stamped either " INSUFFICIENT FUNDS" (NSF) or "CLOSED ACCOUNT" (also "NO ACCOUNT FOUND").
   
   
4. The check must be written for a thing of value.
   
   
5. If a partial payment has been accepted by the victim, the Worthless Check
   Unit CANNOT accept the check in question for prosecution.

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1. If the worthless check is stamped INSUFFICIENT FUNDS *, Alabama Law requires you to send a Statutory Notice to the person who signed the check. The letter must be mailed to the address printed on the check or the address given at the time of issuance . THE LETTER MUST BE SENT VIA CERTIFIED MAIL (RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) VIA THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.
   *If the check in question is stamped CLOSED ACCOUNT , you are NOT required to send a statutory notice, although you may do so if you wish.



2. You MUST give the check writer ten (10) full business days from the date they receive the letter (as indicated on the return receipt/green card) to make the check good. If the check writer has failed to clear the matter after that period, you may file a complaint with this office. Note that in the event the statutory notice is returned to you by the Post Office for any reason ("unclaimed," "attempted not known", or "moved and left no forwarding order" for example), you may immediately refer the check to the Worthless Check Unit.
   
   
3. Once you are prepared to file a worthless check complaint with our office, you will need to bring the following item(s) to the Worthless Check Unit:
   
   
   
A) The ORIGINAL CHECK
B) The Certified Mail Return Receipt ("green card") OR
The undelivered Statutory Notice.*
* If you are turning over a "Closed Account" check, only the check
itself is required


4. When you arrive at the Worthless Check Unit, you will be required to fill out a few items of paperwork. The first of these forms is the Intake Document . You may choose to have the form(s) filled out prior to your visit to our office.
   
   
5. Once you have completed the proper paperwork, you will then be directed to the Warrant Magistrate at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse where a misdemeanor arrest warrant will be sworn out for the check writer in question. From that point on, the Worthless Check Unit will handle the matter and no further action is required of you unless your testimony is needed in court .

1. When accepting a check, run your finger along all sides of the check. Most genuine checks have at least one side with perforations (some have as many as three sides perforated). A bogus check is usually smooth on all sides. The only genuine checks which are smooth on all sides are U.S. Government checks and some state checks.
   
   
2. Note the print quality of the check. Bogus checks frequently are printed on home computers and the print quality rarely meets the standard of genuine checks. Also note whether or not the color of the check is permanent. A check that smudges will likely be counterfeit.
   
   
3. Always note the presence (or absence) of the standard security features on a check. Features such as watermarks and micro printing are generally not present on bogus checks.
   
   
4. Note the check number. Low numbers indicate that the account is relatively new and may be more suspect than a long established account. Also be wary of counter checks since there is no quick way to verify that the account holder name that is handwritten on the check corresponds to the actual account holder.
   
   
5. Check the date of the check to insure that it is accurate. Do not accept a post- dated check (for example, the check is presented on June 1 st but is actually dated for June 15 th ). Also, do not accept a check when the issuer requests that you hold it until a specified date or if he/she tells you there is not enough money in the account to cover the check. Accepting such a check will preclude you from later filing a criminal complaint with the Worthless Check Unit.
   
   
6. Be wary of individuals passing an inordinate number checks in a single day or over a short period of time. It may not be unusual for a legitimate customer to visit a store more than once a day. However, we frequently handle cases where suspiciously high numbers of worthless or forged checks are passed at a single store (or various locations of the same business) in a short period of time. An example would be an individual who negotiates 6 or 7 checks in a single day at an area convenience store. Such activity should draw the attention of the cashiers and manager. Remember that most banks will verify over the phone if a checking account is A) open and B) if the account contains ample funds to cover a given check.
   
   
7. Most importantly of all, you should obtain the check writer's personal ID Information. Ask to see a valid driver's license or state identification card (in Alabama , ID card numbers begin with the letter "I"). Make sure that the picture on the ID matches the person presenting the check.
   
   
A favorite trick of check forgers is to claim that the account holder is a friend or relative who has given him/her permission to negotiate the check. While this may be true in some cases, you should consider rejecting the check if you are unable to verify the individual's claim.


Another tactic check forgers employ is to claim to have left their driver's license or ID at home or in the car. Unless the individual is personally known to you, you should consider rejecting the check.



8. Record all pertinent information from the ID card or driver's license on the check.Include the driver's license or ID card number, the state of issue, date of birth, social security number (if present), race, sex, and finally expiration date. Once the information is recorded, the clerk should initial the check to indicate that he or she actually looked at an ID and verified that the person presenting the check matched the photo on the ID.
   
   
Be aware that many checks have some ID information (typically a driver's license number) printed on them already. While this is convenient, you should still ask to see a valid ID and record the information described above.



9. Make sure that all contact information (name, address, and phone number) on the front of the check is correct and legible. Frequently, a business check will be referred to our office where the individual's name is not printed on the check and the signature is illegible. By obtaining the full name and ID information from the person presenting the check, delays can be avoided if the check is later returned to you. Also make sure that any new address handwritten on the check by the customer is both legible and complete.