FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 27, 2013
Contact: Heather F. Williamson
Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
20 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176-2809
(703) 777-0242
CHECK ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM REACHES SEVEN YEAR MARK
MORE THAN A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS IN BAD CHECKS SUBMITTED
LEESBURG, VA – February 2013 marked the seven-year anniversary of Loudoun County’s Check Enforcement Program, which has recovered almost $270,000 in restitution and fees to victims of bad check writing. “The continued use of this Program by the local business is due to its consistency and effectiveness and we continue to meet our expectations of recovery for victims,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman of the program he initiated in February 2006.
The Check Enforcement Program gives merchants and other victims an effective, no-cost way to recover funds lost to bad checks while also training businesses to protect themselves against bad checks. It also incorporates an educational component, which helps educate offenders from passing bad checks in the future. “Currently, there are several hundred merchants across Loudoun County that are registered and participate with the program,” Plowman stated. While the annual number of checks has leveled off over the past few years as people turn more and more to other forms of electronic bill payment, the Program has still handled over a 3,400 checks during the seven year period.
The Check Enforcement Program offers bad check writers an opportunity to avoid the possibility of prosecution. To do this, they must fulfill all conditions of the program, which includes full restitution and payment of a victim fee to cover costs incurred as a result of the bad check. A small administrative fee is also assessed to ensure there is no expense to victims, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office or the taxpayers.
Additionally, numerous man hours and court time are reduced having to investigate and prosecute these matters. “Most citizens would be very surprised to learn the number of bad check cases that were being referred to law enforcement. These resources can be more properly directed toward more serious crimes that involve personal safety,” said Plowman. Should the program prove unsuccessful, prosecution remains an available alternative.
The Program deals with checks that were dishonored because of Insufficient Funds, Closed Account or No Account. Check forgeries, stolen checks or counterfeit checks should be referred to law enforcement immediately and are not accepted into the program. “All cases are screened first to make sure that they are an appropriate match for the program,” stated Plowman. “The deliberate thieves and those with significant and lengthy criminal histories still go to court.”
“The program is 100% voluntary and comes at no financial cost to the public or to local businesses,” continued Plowman. “It simply provides businesses with an additional option to assist them in recovering loss.”
To learn more about the Check Enforcement Program, or how your business can participate, please contact Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Perry at (703) 777-0242.
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