Local Radar

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Worthless Check Program well underway

web posted July 25, 2006

COUNTY – The Worthless Check Program is up and running in Edgefield County and the checks have already been coming in, Edgefield County Clerk of Court Shirley Newby said Monday. The hassles of trying to collect a bad check in the past placed all the legwork and paperwork on those who received the bad check. Not any more. Now all it takes is a simple trip to the Clerk of Court’s Office, fill out a form, and the Solicitor’s Office does the rest.

The program, which was first pitched to the Edgefield County Council back in June, has been a huge success in Lexington County where Solicitor Donnie Myers said since the program has been in effect in Lexington County they have received 13,151 checks and have collect $1,789,045.59. Of that money $918,791.59 was to repay the bad checks and $211,665.00 in service charges, paid to the victims. The $658,589 remaining went to the program and the county. “There is no cost to the public for the service,” Mr. Myers said.

In order for a bad check to be eligible for the program it must be deposited into your account within ten days of it being written and then be returned due to insufficient funds or a closed account.

The forms for entering a bad check into the program are available at the Clerk of Court’s Office. Shirley Newby, Clerk of Court, said the Solicitor’s Office picks the checks up twice a week from her office. “(The Solicitor’s Office) signs a form when they pick the checks up so we have a record,” she said.

Once a check enters the program the cost of the check goes up, way up. Under the program, the person issuing the bad check has to pay the amount of the check plus the $30 return check fee, which is given to the victim. In addition, the person issuing the check also has to pay a $50 fee to the program and $41 to the county, even if a warrant is not issued. That simple $10 bad check will cost you $131 to clear it up. Of course, Judge Carpenter explains that the Magistrarte's Office does not charge for warrants unless the person is found guilty, under the law when used by individuals, not the program.

Mr. Myers stated to the County Council the stiffer penalties are there to help prevent bad checks from being issued in the first place. He also noted that not all bad checks should be entered into the program. As an example, if a loyal customer just made an error in their addition or subtraction it would be best for the customer and the business owner to work things out.

For more information you may contact the Clerk of Court's Office at 803-637-4080 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.
 

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