Century Cracking Down On Bad Check Writers

January 27, 2016

The Town of Century is cracking down on those that write bad checks for town services such as utility payments. The fee for bad checks will be increased to an amount between $25-$40, dependent on the amount of the check. And, under a new policy, the town will no longer accept checks from anyone that has written the town two bad checks in a 12 month period.

Comments

10 Responses to “Century Cracking Down On Bad Check Writers”

  1. Just Saying on January 30th, 2016 5:41 pm

    @ Banker,
    The bank closed my account. My paychecks were deposited twice a month. It would be hard to have zero or negative balance for any period of time. I had not bounced a check on my account either. They said it was a computer glitch, but they still refused to refund the money or waive the fees.

    @How it really works,
    I know what NSF stands for. I also know that they returned every single check marked NSF despite the fact that the funds were there and the checks should have been honored.
    The way things are supposed to happen and the way they actually DO HAPPEN are sadly not always the same!

  2. Citizen on January 27th, 2016 11:47 pm

    In Florida writing a worthless check is a first degree misdemeanor punishable for up to one year in prison and a $1000 fine. That not being hateful. It is the law.

  3. How it really works on January 27th, 2016 7:18 pm

    If an account was closed, the banks would not mark NSF on return items. Instead, they would mark “account closed”. NSF means strictly non sufficient funds.

  4. Avis on January 27th, 2016 6:18 pm

    No one is obligated to accept a check for payment. It’s kind of like a favor of convenience with a little bit of trust involved. Given the risk involved I’m surprised ANYBODY takes checks any more.

  5. Yancy R Zellers on January 27th, 2016 6:15 pm

    It’s always funny to read the comments. Most people are so quick to be all self righteous.”off with their heads” type thoughts are always present. My goodness. You don’t know the circustnces behind the checks. Most people wouldn’t write. A bad check knowingly. Stop being to hateful. That’s what is wrong with this world. No compassion for our fellow man unless it’s on your terms. Thank goodness Jesus didn’t give us grace on ” our terms”. I’m off my soap box now. Thanks

  6. banker on January 27th, 2016 4:36 pm

    Banks do not close accounts without good reason. Either you had a negative balance for 10 days or more, or had a ZERO balance for 30 days or more. Check kiting, excessive NSF occurrences or fraud are some more good reasons. So yes it is the check writers fault.

  7. Just Saying on January 27th, 2016 2:27 pm

    I recently had a problem with my bank. They closed my account without my knowledge. My paychecks are direct deposited. Every check that I had written was returned marked NSF, even though the funds were there. Then they charged me $35 for EACH ONE THEY RETURNED. Now I’m having to go around picking up checks that never should have been returned in the first place and pay each of the businesses $25-40 per check too!!! I’ve had to borrow money to cover them while the bank keeps my paycheck. Thank goodness my employer has stopped my direct deposit, but my point is that it’s not always the fault of the person who wrote the check. Don’t always be so quick to judge!

  8. Businessman on January 27th, 2016 1:02 pm

    If the town of Century is only doing this they are being extra nice. They could turn it over to the sheriff’s office and let them prosecute also. It is against the law to knowingly issue a worthless check. Service could be discontinued also. One should pay their own way on time for what they use.

  9. No Excuses on January 27th, 2016 11:21 am

    @ Sage 2: I agree. In fact, if you write enough bad checks, you’ll be arrested and tried for theft. However, I do know in this day and age that many people play the “beat the check to the bank game” and sometimes they lose. They may get paid on Friday, but pay the bill on Wednesday, hoping against hope that the check won’t get to the bank before they do on Friday. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s a better risk than having a utility cut off and then having to pay a reconnection fee as well as the back money that is owed. So, not all bad check writers are trying to steal – just trying to get by and pay their bills the best that they can. Personally, I like KNOWING the money if there if I write a check. Then, I don’t have to worry about it!

  10. Sage 2 on January 27th, 2016 9:47 am

    This amounts to nothing but theft/larceny. Thought: If the individual write a check that is returned for NSF, why would one think there would be $40 to cover the “bad check?”

    People know or should know what their bank balance is or at least close to the amount available. This is a premeditated petty theft, knowingly writing this transactional instrument.