Cold Check
Collection

Writing a bad check is a serious offense and the Anderson County Attorney’s Office is dedicated to holding individuals accountable for such actions.

There is no fee for those wishing to prosecute a bad check. This program helps local businesses recover financial losses caused by accepting bad checks.

What is a Cold Check?

A “cold check” is a check written for property or services that is not paid by the bank. A bank may dishonor a check for a number of reasons, but the most common reasons are if the account is closed or there is no account at all or if there are insufficient funds in the account to cover the check.

Received a Bad Check?

If you have received a bad check, please bring a copy to our office. We will send a letter to the person who wrote the check, and they will have 18 days from the date of the letter to make payment in a Cashier's Check or Money Order. The Anderson County Attorney’s Office will reimburse the merchant weekly for any funds collected. If the payment is not made within the 18-day period, criminal charges may be pursued.

Making a payment on a cold check?

If you are making a payment on a bad check, you can make a payment in the form of a Cashier's Check or Money Order. The Anderson County Attorney’s Office charges a $50 Merchant Fee and a $50 Service Fee. The Cashier's Check or Money Order needs to be addressed for the Anderson County Cold Check Collection.

Questions about Cold Check Collection?

Can I charge a Merchant Fee?

Merchants are permitted to charge a fee of up to $50.00 for the time spent dealing with bad checks. Be sure to inform the County Attorney’s Office of the fee you charge so we can collect it on your behalf. The fee must be posted in a visible location in your store.

What if the writer pays within the 18 days?

Do NOT accept payment from the check writer once you have brought the check into the County Attorney’s Office.

Can I bring a check from awhile ago?

Criminal charges on checks under $500 must be brought within one year after the date the check was passed. If you wait too long, we cannot prosecute the check.

THE SOONER THE BETTER!

What can I do to reduce the number of cold checks I receive?

Visit our web site frequently and train your employees to gather accurate information at time check is taken.

Click to see a list of recent writers

Need to Send Us a Cold Check?

You can submit copies of bad checks by bringing them to the office, mailing them, or emailing scanned copies to our office.

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