Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Minnesota

Civil and Criminal penalty for small NSF check

I received a phone call this evening from a man who said he was from a law firm that was collecting a debt for a bad check I had written in Oct. 2002. The check was for $5 to a fast food joint. I was told that this was my last chance to pay before criminal action was to be taken. I was told there was a civil penalty of $100 and some other fees. All told, $140. He demanded payment now and offered $20 off the civil penalty to pay today. If I declined, he said I would be subject to a $500 criminal fee and would be responsible for legal fees. This was the first time I'd even heard of the debt and it was written from an account that I no longer have. Am I really responsible for this debt? I understand the check value and a $30 service charge is usually tacked on, but am i really on the hook for the rest of it. The guy on the phone was awfully pushy and made me believe something was not right. Any help would be appreciated!


Asked on 7/22/04, 9:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Anderson Anderson Business Law LLC

Re: Civil and Criminal penalty for small NSF check

you may have an action for the firm"s violation of the fair debt collection practices act> i hope you retained the firm"s name and number> call me for more information

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Answered on 7/22/04, 10:11 pm


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