PROCEDURE FOR TAKING A CHECK:

It is important that you or your company establish a set policy for all employees to follow when accepting all checks. It is vital that you stress to your employees the importance of this policy. If your company has a set policy for all customers then no one customer should have any reason to feel that they are being treated unfairly. It is a good idea to have a checklist for all cashiers so that they may follow it. It should include the following:

 1. IS THE CHECK DATED TODAY?

Checks must be dated the same day they are given. Post-dated checks cannot normally be prosecuted under Hot Check Statutes.

 2. RECORD THE ID. THAT IS BEING USED.

Record on the check the type of ID and ID numbers as well as the initials of the clerk taking the check. This information should be printed on the front of the check and it should be legible.

 3. DO WRITTEN AMOUNTS & NUMBERS CORRESPOND?

Banks will not honor checks with discrepancies.

 4. CAN YOU CONFIRM THE IDENTITY OF THE CHECK WRITER?

Every kind of ID can be forged. The most reliable I.D.'s are those that show a physical description with photos, etc. If you are suspicious, ask the check writer to hand you the license and while it is in your hand, ask his/her address, social security number and/or birth date. If it is not his/her license, he/she may be caught off guard and give the wrong information.

 5. IS THE ADDRESS ON THE CHECK COMPLETE?

Require a permanent street address - not a P.O. Box number. This facilitates collection and prosecution of the check if that becomes necessary.

 6. IS THE SIGNATURE LEGIBLE?

Do NOT accept checks previously signed. Make sure all checks are signed in your presence. In the case of company checks, it is vital that the signature is legible. If not, ask the individual what his/her name is and note that on the check. Ideally, all signatures should be compared with the signature on a valid Arkansas driver's license.

7. BANK LOCATION

Is the check drawn on an out-of-state bank? If so, this may have an effect on any collections and prosecution efforts.

7. AGE OF CHECK

Please note the age of the check. We cannot prosecute checks more than one year old.

Driving Directions:

From Interstate 540: Take Exit 3 and turn right on Highway 59/4th Street. Go approximately 4 blocks and turn left on Drennan Street. Turn right on 3rd Street and we are on the left side of 3rd Street. 

Email: jbrown@co.crawford.ar.us