Santa Clara County
District Attorney
Bad Check Restitution Program
How to determine a check's
eligibility for the program.
A check is Eligible if...
- The amount is no more than $5,000 (or multiple checks not exceeding this limit). There are no minimum dollar restrictions.
- It was received in Santa Clara County, deposited in a bank in exchange for
goods or services and was presumed “good” at the time of acceptance. - A “Courtesy Notice” was sent to the check writer allowing 10 days to make check good.
- A photo I.D. (driver’s license or state identification card) was recorded at the time of transaction.
A check is Ineligible if...
- It is post-dated.
- Both parties knew there were insufficient funds at the time of transaction.
- It is a two-party, stop payment, credit card, equipment rent, or payroll check.
- The identity of the check writer is unknown.
- There is no amount, date or signature on the check.
- The check has not been processed by a bank.
- The numeric and written amounts on the check do not match.