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!
1 Answer from Attorneys
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