Watching my local news tonight, they reported that the gas in
The thing I noticed was the big sign they had that said “Credit Cards and Cash ONLY!”
As gas prices have soared more and more gas station owners are getting hit with more and more bad checks. People who are struggling and have to pay such high prices will sometimes try to “float” a check and this is resulting in an increase in bad check writing.
What can gas stations do to avoid getting bad checks?
- Don’t accept checks. Accepting checks is a privilege extended by you to your customer. It is not something you are required to do. You must protect your business.
- Don't let the check writer rush you.
- Don't take any check or person for granted, ALWAYS obtain proper ID.
- Don't accept prewritten personal checks. At least the signature should be written in your presence.
- Don't accept unsigned checks.
- Don't accept starter checks.
- Don't accept two party checks.
If you decide you will accept checks make sure to:
- Check that the name address and phone number imprinted.
- Accept checks with a current date only.
- Compare ID picture with that of the person cashing or writing the check.
- Make sure signature matches ID signature.
- Make sure phone number is a working phone.
- Ask for street address — no Post office boxes.
Writing a BAD CHECK is a crime in every state, and is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.
There are an estimated 450 million BAD CHECKS written every year. This includes checks written without sufficient funds or upon accounts that have been previously closed. Bad check laws do not apply when an individual stops payment on a check UNLESS it can be proven that the issuer of the check intended to stop the check when he presented the check for payment. Some states authorize the receiver of a bad check to collect a service charge to compensate for bank fees and/or cost incurred as a result of receiving and collecting on a bad check.
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