How to Recover Bad Checks in Maryland

Writing or attempting to use a bad check in exchange for goods is considered a crime in Maryland. Bad checks are considered those that are not honored by the bank. This may be because no funds exist to pay for the check in the account, the account has been closed or the checks are stolen. A business or individual that has received a bad check can press charges and file due process through the Maryland District Commissioner. Doing this may let you recover payment and criminally punish the person responsible for the bad check.

• 1

  Determine if the check is actually bad. If a check is returned and payment is not received, the check may be bad. Signs of a bad check include missing information on the check itself such as a signature, bank information or the personal information of the person that gave you the check. A returned check saying "insufficient funds" or "account closed" is most likely check fraud.

• 2

  Wait at least 10 days before acting on the suspicion of a bad check. If the returned check was accidental, this will give time to the person who wrote the bad check to fix the problem. If the problem is not fixed, you can go forward with pressing charges. This applies to checks that were returned with "insufficient funds." Other reasons, such as "account closed," can be brought to authorities right away.

• 3

  Fill out a form to press charges against the writer of the bad check and bring it to the Maryland District Court Commissioner's office. This form is the "Application for Statement of Charges for Bad Check." It is also known as Form DC/CR44 (see Resources).

• 4

  Provide a statement to the Maryland District Court Commissioner that you believe your application for statement of a bad check is true. You will be sworn in for this statement. Lying while sworn in could lead to prosecution.

• 5

  Testify at trial. You will need to state all known facts and provide any documentation that you have as evidence. Winning at trial will gain you reparations for the bad check.