
The Program, Step-by-Step
- Make personal contact with the check writer. If you are unsuccessful, send a courtesy notice via U.S. Certified Mail including a return receipt. The check writer has 10 days to respond and remit payment.
- If you do not hear from the check writer or receive payment, contact the Bad Check Restitution Program at 1-855-211-0578 or visit the website at http://www.checkprogram.com/monroecountypa.
- Fill out the crime report, keep copies and attach originals or legal copies of all checks and notification documents, such as return receipts and bank notices, and mail to the Bad Check Restitution Program at:
Monroe County District Attorney
Bad Check Restitution Program
Post Office Box 113
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 118360
Why it Works
- Bad check reports are easy to file and follow up action is prompt.
- Upon recovery, 100% of the face value of the check is returned to the victim.
- There is no minimum dollar restriction on a bad check.
- Offenders must complete an educational class at their expense.
- The program operates at no cost to the county or taxpayers.
A check is ELIGIBLE if:
- The amount is not more than $5,000 (or multiple checks don’t exceed this limit). There are no minimum dollar restrictions.
- The check was received in Monroe County, deposited in a bank in exchange for goods or services, and was presumed “good” at the time of acceptance.
- A “Courtesy Notice” was sent to the check writer via U.S. Certified Mail including return receipt , allowing 10 days to make the check good.
- A photo I.D. (driver’s license or state identification card) was recorded at the time of the transaction.
A check is INELIGIBLE if:
- It is post-dated.
- Both parties knew there were insufficient funds at the time of the transactions.
- It is a two-party, stop payment, or payroll check.
- The identity of the check writer is unknown.
- There is no amount, date, or signature on the check.
- The numeric and written amounts on the check do not match.
- The check has not been processed by a bank.