• I am always concerned about the negative impact of bad checks passed to local businesses. In an effort to combat this problem, I have organized a Bad Check Restitution Program to assist Wood County merchants to obtain full restitution. Please use the information provided to file a report with the Wood County District Attorney’s Office and guard against receiving bad checks in the future. If you have any questions feel free to call me or my staff and we will be glad to assist you.

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Hot Checks

The Hot Check/Check Fraud Division of the Wood County is managed by District Attorney’s Office. This division is responsible for investigation and prosecution of offenses of theft by check.

Cases that can be handled by the Hot Check/Check Fraud Division without the necessity for a police report are those cases where a person writes his or her own check in exchange for goods, services or cash, and in which the victim can identify that person. An investigation by the Hot Check/Check Fraud Division usually involves obtaining documents and analyzing them, interviewing witnesses by telephone or in person, and making attempts to collect restitution.

If you think that the check you were given is forged, you should contact the police agency for the jurisdiction in the area where you received the check. Because investigation of a forgery case requires resources in excess of those available with the Hot Check/Check Fraud Division, we are unable to accept direct complaints on forgery cases.

  • Make personal contact with the check writer, if you are unsuccessful send a demand letter providing the check writer ten (10) days to respond and remit payment. A Sample Demand Letter is included in the linked Merchant Packet.

    If you do not receive a response or payment from the check writer fill out the Crime Report Form included in the linked Merchant Packet, attach originals or legal copies of all checks (including the front and back of checks) and all supporting documents such as certified mail, return receipt or undelivered letter, notarized Affidavit of Service, copy of Demand Letter and either:

    Hand Deliver to:
    Wood County District Attorney
    100 Main Street, Suite 315
    Quitman, Texas 75783

    Mail To:
    Wood County District Attorney
    PO Box 689
    Quitman, Texas 75783

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  • The best way to reduce your losses is to avoid taking bad checks from the start. What follows is a recommended procedure for accepting checks:

    • Confirm the identity of the check writer.
      The most reliable form of I.D. is that which contains a photo (such as a valid driver’s license) which includes a physical description. Take the I.D. in hand and write the I.D. number, birth date, address and other descriptive data on the front of the check.
    • The signature should be legible and signed in the presence of the individual accepting the check.
      Do NOT accept previously signed checks. For a company check, it is vital that the signature is legible. If not, print the individual's name on the front of the check.
    • The complete address should be imprinted on the check.
      Require a street address, in addition to a P.O. Box number. Obtain a phone number as well.
    • Accept checks only written with today's date.
      Pre- or post-dated checks are not accepted in the Bad Check Restitution Program and cannot typically be criminally prosecuted. This restricts any recourse you may have against the check writer if your own collection attempts fail.
    • Make sure written amounts and numbers correspond.
      Banks will usually not honor checks with discrepancies between written amounts and numbers.

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  • A check is Eligible if...

    • The amount of the check(s) is more than $ 100.00.
    • It was received in Wood County, Texas, deposited in a bank in exchange for goods or services and presumed "good" at the time of acceptance.
    • A "Demand Notice" was sent to check writer allowing 20 days to remit payment.
    • A photo I.D. (driver's license, military I.D., state identification card) was recorded at the time of the transaction.

    A check is Ineligible if...

    • It is stolen or counterfeit. Report directly to the Wood County Sheriff’s Department or other appropriate law enforcement agency.
    • It is post-dated
    • Both parties knew there were insufficient funds at the time of the transaction.
    • It is a third-party, government issued, payroll or travelers check.
    • The identity of the check writer is unknown.
    • There is no amount, date, or signature on the check.
    • It has not been processed by a bank.

      Checks ineligible for the Wood County District Attorney Bad Check Restitution Program
      may be pursued via small claims court process, by a private collection agency or by the private attorney of your choice.

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