Never accept a check without checking the ID of the person signing the check. Always be sure to compare the signature and picture ID of the check writer to the person offering the check as payment. Never allow the check writer to tell you their ID number, but observe it yourself and record it carefully. If you file a complaint with the Worthless Check Division, you will be required to swear that the person who stood before you was the same person whose ID number you recorded.
Many banks have reduced their losses to worthless checks by asking check cashers to provide a thumbprint when cashing a check. The print is inkless and the equipment is inexpensive and readily available from several vendors. You can contact your bank for the names of the companies providing such products.
Be aware of the following high-risk checks:
- Temporary checks. Checks that are not personalized are often at risk. They do not have the account owner’s name printed on each checks.
- Low-numbered checks. Nine of ten worthless checks bear numbers lower than 300.
- A check writer presents an ID other than a driver’s license. Beware of checks offered by check writers who present for identification passports, green cards, student ID’s, and military ID’s.
- Non-local checks. Non-local check writers are much harder to identify and prosecute. Out-of-state bank records are almost impossible for us to get.
- Non-residence address on the check. A post office box printed on a check rather than a residence has been shown to be a risk factor.
- Illegible signature on the check. A sloppy signature may be an attempt to prevent easy comparison with the signature on the ID.
- Multiple checks. Multiple checks drawn on the same account or by the same check writer in the same day allows the check writer to steal as much as possible before you find out the checks are worthless.
- Pre-signed checks. You cannot swear the check writer signed the check and nobody can prove the signatory knew the amount for which the check would be written.
- Incorporated business checks are filed as a civil matter in the jurisdiction where the incorporated business is located.