Writing bad check – is it fraud? What are the consequences?

Yes, writing a bad check is a crime and the person can be charged a processing fee by the bank. Most of the times, it is $40 for each bad check. Besides, the creditors can also sue for writing such types of check and recover the damages along with the total amount. In some states, the damages can be as high as $1000

Jessica, I can understand how it looks at the other side of the table. It is pretty hard to accept especially when you understand what is in the mind of the customer. Does your job always need you to be in the front dealing with the customers?

:lol I couldn't sleep well on a bed that was worth more than my car! :D I will never go for writing bad check.

I'm in retail, and the store manager, so yes, I'm always in front with the customers.

What scares me about these girls, is who knows how many checks they have written! They could be bouncing these things all over town, not even realizing what kind of trouble they could be in.

Yes, the Russell Square is a fabulous bed! But she wouldnt be enjoying it from jail on the charge for writing bad check! And if I would have taken that check without approval, I would be in big trouble too.

LOL@ttthayden. I got lucky and WON my bed at a roll-out meeting. But I did pick the most expensive bed in the store. hehe

AS I unders tand it when a check is "Approved" it not approved as in "Yes! there is $4000 in that account" but more like "that the account holder does not have any out standing check with that particulary check service (commonly Tele-check, SCAN, or Chex Systems)."

The money for the check is not earmarked the way it is when you use your check card. Personally I would be more concerned if I was working in a store and someone tried to pay for something with a check card that was declined, and turned around and tried for writing bad check instead.

Yeah, we get real leary when people are like, "I'll just write a check.." I will always avoid writing bad check.

It's even more fishy when they are all about the check...We had one guy in here and he kept asking, "I can write a check right?" And he was declined.

Yes Check Fraud is a very serious crime. I have been learning about it in researching these payday loan co's. There is a world of difference between a post-dated check to a loan co and writting a live one to buy something.

There is always that writing bad check in mistake but those girls if they are writting many will be caught and prosecuted. Sad thing is many do not even know how much of a serious crime it is. Its the same as stealing.

Don't worry about the post-dated payday loan deals though. The check has to be written for the same day to be considered an offense in most states. Especially if it was written to payoff a loan. Some loan co's will tell you its fraud but its not.

JD, while I completely understand what you are saying - and agree wholeheartedly -- you might want to take into consideration that manhy people have already filed their income tax returns. I already filed, got and spent mine for this year LOL. I did it as soon as I got my W2 and I got back enough to pay for that bed LOL. I walked out with a check when I filed and the next day had the rest. They will also do direct deposit so there was a small chance that she knew it really was going to be in there on wednesday. Just a little something to think about.

I've always been too afraid to write a check if I didn't know the money was there...even if I know it is coming in soon! I'm a scaredy-cat for writing bad check :)

~Mary

LOL Mary, that's a GOOD thing honey!! I got caught like that a couple of times and it sure is nerve wracking!!

Hahaha, I won't even use my debit card as credit, if the money isn't there! I'm THAT much of a scaredy-cat! :)

~Mary