Ideas for Merchants & Individuals on Accepting Checks
Following the procedures outlined below may help to keep you or your business from accepting a check that may never get paid.
- Always ask to see an ID.
- Write ID info on the check. If possible, include an ID number (i.e. a Texas driver’s license number), Date of Birth, and contact info.
- Be sure identification info matches information on the check. If not, write down correct info.
- Do not agree to hold a check or accept a post-dated check.
- Take checks to the bank within 30 days of the date it is written.
- Have clerks initial checks they accept.
- Turn checks over to our office promptly. The sooner we get them, the less likely the writer’s information will have changed.
- When accepting business checks, print the check signer’s name legibly on the check.
Problematic Checks
The following is a list of problematic situations that make prosecution difficult. Our office cannot prosecute checks passed outside of McLennan County.
- Rent or lease agreement payments
- Out of state checks
- Third party checks
- Stop payments
- Business Checks with no name recorded
- Temporary Checks
- Payments on Account or on a previously existing debt
- Post-dated checks