In general, in the U. S., a check for less than $200 written on an account containing insufficient funds is a misdemeanor.  To get local police to seriously investigate anything less than a felony is usually wishful thinking in today's atmosphere.  If the "hot" check passer is from another state, the U. S. Supreme Court basically prohibits extradition in the case of a misdemeanor.

The following tips are provided to assist retailers who must handle checks:

(1) Look at the check number; 90% of all "hot" checks passed in the U. S. are numbered from 101 to 150.  The low number, of course, indicates a new account.
(2) Since some professionals request new accounts with checks starting with higher numbers (i.e. starting at 700 or higher above), 65% of the checks manufactured now show the date the account was opened.  Normally this is shown discreetly over the signature section and shows the month and year the account was opened.  Therefore, if you are presented with check number 803, but 798 is indicated in small numbers over the signature, you will know the account was opened in July of 1998.

(1) All legitimate checks have a minimum of one perforated edge.  (The exception here is U. S. Government checks.)  Perforation machines are extremely expensive and most counterfeiters simply use paper cutters.  Therefore, never accept checks which have four smooth edges.¹
(2) All legitimate checks are magnetically numbered.  These numbers will not shine or reflect light, they are 100% dull.  Therefore, never cash checks bearing numbers which reflect light like the regular printing does.
(3) There are two bracketed digits within the account numbers or checks or these two digits appear as the first two in the number at the bottom of the checks. These numbers (01 - 12) reflect Federal Reserve Zones.  Basically, the lower numbers are eastern cities, while the higher numbers are the west coast numbers.  Therefore, never cash a check which shows high numbered bracketed numbers if the check is drawn on an eastern account.  The Federal Reserve System can provide zone numbers and the locations covered upon request.
(4) The company name on the check (or money order) means little if it is counterfeit or is a copy.  Check for standard copy paper by smearing the ink.  A legitimately printed check will not smear.
Note: U. S. Government checks always indicate the reason for the issue.  The person cashing the check should always read the reason for the check and insure it is consistent with the person cashing the check.  (I.E. teenagers cashing pension checks, etc.)

(1) Drivers' licenses can be copied, altered and falsified.  Generally, however, this can be detected if the license is removed from a wallet or a plastic cover.
(2) Look at the picture on the license and confirm the individual you are cashing the check for is the person whose picture is on the license.
(3) Be sure the license is current.  The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled that expired licenses, used as check cashing identification, cannot be used for I.D. when seeking recourse.  Therefore, you have no case against a person who cashed a bad check if the only I.D. checked was an expired license.
(4) Always initial the check as to your identity when checking I.D.  If proper I.D. is recorded on the but you cannot prove who cashed the check, you have no case.
(5) never write a drivers' license number or other identifying data on the back of a check.  The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled all digits of the license (or other identification) must be legible if the check is to be used in prosecution.  By the time a bad check is returned to you, there may be as many as ten to fifteen stamps across the back, making the critical information illegible.

The application of the preceding tips will not prevent all check problems suffered by the retailer, but should minimize the exposure to a more reasonable level.

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1. Subsequent to the first publication of this article, inexpensive computer programs have become readily available for printing slick personalized checks on laser and ink jet printers using low cost unperforated check stock.  When presented with checks of this type, I would suggest that extra caution be used.  The best protection here is to know the customer. . . . RHS