Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Illinois

Re: Options for collection on a bounced check

I would send her a demand letter via certified mail and regular mail. In your letter explain that the check was returned NSF, that you incurred additional bank charges because of the NSF and demand immediate payment of the amount owed.

If the check as not been put through twice you could try to have your bank run it through again, but if it is returned NSF again then your bank will charge you additional fees.

In situations like this you have to decide what is more cost effective. You did not state how much the check is for and that is the main factor in collections. Remember you always have the option to file suit against the person but that will cost you filing fees and service fees. You will probably obtain a judgment against the individual but then you have to try to collect on the judgment and doing that will cost you additional funds with no promise of collecting the funds owed to you.

Your other option is to retain an attorney to see if he can write a letter and make a few phone calls to the person on your behalf. That might motivate the individual to pay the amount owed.

If you decide to retain an attorney please feel free to call my office and I will be willing to talk to you about this in greater detail.