Bad Check Crime Report

The Chesterfield Township Police Department accepts crime reports involving dishonored checks issued for goods or services within the township. Under Michigan law, writing a check with knowledge that funds are insufficient to cover it may be a criminal act. Before filing a report, you must first attempt to collect the funds through normal means.

The report form is the Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney's Bad Check Crime Report, which feeds the county Bad Check Restitution Program. The program seeks full restitution for victims, meaning the face value of the checks plus reasonable returned item charges, but it is a prosecuting agency and cannot guarantee recovery. If restitution is not received, the report is evaluated for criminal prosecution.

Some matters are civil rather than criminal and are not eligible for the program. If the check was post-dated when accepted, involved a two-party check, was payment on an account, was held or delayed at the check writer's request, or involved an extension of credit, contact the small claims court instead. Once a report is filed, do not accept restitution directly from the check writer.

What You Will Need

• Send a Statutory Certified Notice to the check writer by U.S. Certified Mail before filing. A sample notice is on the back of the form, and the writer has five days from receipt to pay in full.
• The original dishonored check or a clear, legible copy, plus any additional checks listed on a separate form.
• The certified mail return receipt or the undelivered letter, and a copy of the notice you sent.
• Bank returned item notices showing the check was returned unpaid, including any fees charged.
• The check writer's full name as written on the check, address, and driver's license or other identification, and how you obtained it.
• Your name or firm name, address, phone number and the address where the check was accepted if different.
• A description of the goods or services provided and the name of the person who accepted the check.
• Any correspondence with the check writer and documentation of repayment demands you have made.

How to Submit