I have been getting calls like that for over a month. Even if I answer it is always a recorded message from some Law firm. They don't say who they want to talk to just that we have 2 days to call back about a serious matter before it escalates. If it is that sreious then they should know a name and address and contact us by mail.   Was of time scammers!!!!

saying their suing me and its about a order to appear summons from a company from urg

I hope you have read the other posts and do as suggested which is call the Depew NY police and report them, file a complaint with your attorney general and the NYS attorney general, get a lawyer and sue them. They have filed so many federal laws and possible your state laws as well.  Upstate Management Services is not a company in good standing they are theifs.  Please do your part and file complaints.

I received a call from upstate debt management regarding my mother. They claimed my mother went into a payday loan 2 years ago with a younger man they were assuming was my brother. They said my mother was being charged with check fraud and if i did not tell them how to get in touch with her i was going to be subpoenaed in her place. They also claimed since i was listed as a reference that i was involved somehow. None of my family had even been to the county in question in over 4 years. They did however also ask if I wanted to pay the debt with a credit card. I argued because I knew my mother was too sick to travel two years ago she's been on enough oxygen to bring back the dead for 3 years. And the only way I was able to review this elusive tape was to go to court. They also told me it was impossible to go into a payday loan office with someone else's information to receive a loan. SCAM I hope so and I hope karma comes back around for what theyre doing to my family and your parents

This company is a rip off scam. They are not legitimate. The owners are former felons operating behind the scenes trying to appear legitimate. They all were previously convicted and did time for telemarketing fraud now they are trying to rip off people collecting on out of statute debt and unverified purchased debt. They have no authority to sue and no standing. They are violating laws and need to be stopped. hire a lawyer, report them to the A.G. and check out this information on one of there top collectors,  Mr. Suppa
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1437061.html

you have no idea what you are talking about Miles. I know for me, this was a settled debt years ago, I have been contacted every apx 2 yrs since. They use illegal tactics, they are not above the law so this is a mute point. And they are owned by a scum bag who was convicted of telemarketing theft of elderly and also has several tax liens. And so if your paying higher taxes (Iol public debt has nothing to do with taxes) it would be because of scum like this company. Go back to work and continue to hassle people and when the feds come a knocking at this business again then you can pay dearly.

You must work for them? This company has been trying to collect a payday loan I took out over 5 yrs ago before I became permanently disabled. In AZ they no longer allow Payday loans and do not consider them check fraud as for the party agreed to take a bad check at time of transaction. They consider it gambling basically and so if they lost they lost. And a couple of years ago shut down these preditors or the poor and underpaid for good. Still have auto loans, but no check loans. Several other states also do not consider check fraud so look it up. I personally settled with this company over 4 yrs ago and about every 2 yrs they attempt to collect the full amount and seem to not have records of my settlement and being ill I have no clue. They are scum. Also this should be a written contract law, not check fraud and in states to states it has a statute of limitaions. In AZ 6 yrs Idaho 5 etc. I did file a complaint with the Attorney General, US and NY State and as far as I knew they had been fined by the government and shut down, must have gotten the license back. Scum bags.

these guys are scum bags. report them to the attorney general's office as well as the depew police.  My lawyer did. criminal laws do not apply in a check written to the first party. You scums are collecting on purchased charged off debt and have no authority to pursue any civil or criminal remedies on a returned check.  Additionally, in order to pursue civil or criminal remedies one must formally protest the check within the applicable statue of limitations and only the PAYOR has the right to protest, not some dried up poop on the street third rate debt collector from Buffalo and especially one who is a former convicted felony who went to jail for telemareketing fraud.  If i ever talk to Mr. Suppa at your company or anyone form your company again be warned the calls are being recorded.  Get a real job. and tell Mr Suppa to pay his bills.  My lawyer ran a check on you scums... you have outstanding federal liens you owe.  How would you feel if the feds harassed you like you pieces of dried turds harass me and my wife.  They said i was going to be arrested and sued for a debt that isnt even mine plus come to find out its out of statute.  I spoke to a Mr. Suppa who told me he was a lawyer.  I did a search on him and found out he isnt a lawyer at all in fact he's an ex felon.  Went to jail for telephone sweepstake fraud of old ladies.  I also did a court record search on this guy and found out he has all kinds of federal tax liens against him.  REPORT THIS COMPANY to your attorney general and give them this link.... he will get his and if you want to see what he looks like, he even has a t.v. show so he can screw even more people.  this company has harassed me and my wife beyond reason.  He and his company need to be held accountable

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22955735.html

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1437061.html

www.johnsuppa.com/testimonials.htm

Get your laws straight P. Jane (i assume you're an employee of this scum of the earth company) criminal laws do not apply in a check written to the first party. You scums are collecting on purchased charged off debt and have no authority to pursue any civil or criminal remedies on a returned check.  Additionally, in order to pursue civil or criminal remedies one must formally protest the check within the applicable statue of limitations and only the PAYOR has the right to protest, not some dried up poop on the street third rate debt collector from Buffalo and especially one who is a former convicted felony who went to jail for telemareketing fraud.  If i ever talk to Mr. Suppa at your company or anyone form your company again be warned the calls are being recorded.  Get a real job. and tell Mr Suppa to pay his bills.  My lawyer ran a check on you scums... you have outstanding federal liens you owe.  How would you feel if the feds harassed you like you pieces of dried turds harass me and my wife.

Always hilarious to see a lot of people pop up in these "Debt Collector" threads with their sob stories about how they didn't pay, and now the sky is falling, or they did pay, and now life is good forever.  If they know who the "Debt Collectors" are, then why the heck are they looking their phone number up on the internet?  No, any such statement is clearly an attempt by the scammers to add legitimacy to their scheme.  And then they come in to shout at everyone in such a professional manner about how we're all scum.  Who do you think you're fooling?  Is your business model built 100% around intimidating the elderly, the timid and the mentally

Here's the thing.  I deal with the world in cash.  100% cash only, for years and years.  I have no debt.  I have no credit cards.  I have a checking account that I use only for Rent and Utilities, and a debit card I use for online purchases.  I am completely insanely OCD about not owing money to anyone for anything.  And I know for sure that the alleged charges are BS because they wouldn't actually tell me what the amount they were trying to collect was, or what company allegedly sent me to collections in the first place.  When I pressed the agent about this startling lack of details, and refused to just cough up credit card info over the phone, he became abusive, started calling me a thief and a scumbag, started swearing, and threatened to call the police to my house.  I offered to verify the address they allegedly have on file, because I'd welcome a conversation with the police on this matter.  He started making up a fake address based on my cellphone area code - I've had the same cell number since College, but have lived in another state since 2002.  When I pointed that out, he hung up.

they are not a scam, you are debtors. you owe everybody money and look for reasons not to pay. you would rather try to sue somebody than to pay your bills. collection agencies wouldn't have to call around the country, your relatives, or your place of employment if you just paid your bills or returned a call from the people. you guys laugh about how you don't call back, the scam going on here is that scum bags are making honest people such as myself pay higher taxes. i hope all of you get sued and have wages garnished....then you can start a blog about that. then i will laugh

These people were very briefly calling me.  I told them my friend in the state attorneys office gave me a list of all the laws they had broken.  They hung up before I got to number 3.  Now I call them just for fun.  I begin with, "please be aware that this conversation is being recorded."  They can't hang up fast enough.  I have filed complaints with the FTC and my state attorney, and I have given a copy of a voicemail, in which the caller says he represents the county where I live, to the AG's office.  These people are 100%  phony.  They don't have the ability to do any of the things they threaten to do, and they're breaking the law just by threatening you with them.  I urge anyone being harrassed by this outfit to turn the tables on them.  Call them and let them know that you know what they're doing is illegal.  The calls will stop immediately.  Then file complaints.  Then call and mess with them just like they messed with you.  They are an unlicensed, fly by night debt collector, changing names to stay one step ahead of lawsuits and law enforcement.  They have no power at all.  None.  You have all the power.  Go get em'!

The company changed its name to Upstate Dept Management.  Here is the contact information:

Upstate Debt Management
Stephan Scott, Managing Partner
2116 George Urban Blvd
Depew, NY 14043
716.748.6236

The Depew Policy Department suggests that anyone receiving abusive phone calls from them contact their local police department and file a complaint as well as the state's attorney.  Make a copy of the call and voice message.  Once the complaint is filed the Depew Policy Department can become involved.  The DPD does not want criminals in their town.  You may also file with the federal government.  In some cases you may receive monies for this abuse..

These people are the worst kind of people, scam artists! If you don't believe me google their fake law firm Brown Andrews and Scott, that should be enough proof to never send money to them!! Be smart think before you act! They use fear as a tactic to get you to pay quickly without thinking!  This is America! We have no debtor prison/jail. The act of threatening a person with jail time if they don't pay a debt is in fact a crime itself!

Sec. 392.301.  THREATS OR COERCION.  (a)  In debt collection, a debt collector may not use threats, coercion, or attempts to coerce that employ any of the following practices:
(1)  using or threatening to use violence or other criminal means to cause harm to a person or property of a person;
(2)  accusing falsely or threatening to accuse falsely a person of fraud or any other crime;
(3)  representing or threatening to represent to any person other than the consumer that a consumer is wilfully refusing to pay a nondisputed consumer debt when the debt is in dispute and the consumer has notified in writing the debt collector of the dispute;

(4)  threatening to sell or assign to another the obligation of the consumer and falsely representing that the result of the sale or assignment would be that the consumer would lose a defense to the consumer debt or would be subject to illegal collection attempts;
(5)  threatening that the debtor will be arrested for nonpayment of a consumer debt without proper court proceedings;
(6)  threatening to file a charge, complaint, or criminal action against a debtor when the debtor has not violated a criminal law;
(7)  threatening that nonpayment of a consumer debt will result in the seizure, repossession, or sale of the person's property without proper court proceedings;  or
(8)  threatening to take an action prohibited by law.
(b)  Subsection (a) does not prevent a debt collector from:
(1)  informing a debtor that the debtor may be arrested after proper court proceedings if the debtor has violated a criminal law of this state;
(2)  threatening to institute civil lawsuits or other judicial proceedings to collect a consumer debt;  or
(3)  exercising or threatening to exercise a statutory or contractual right of seizure, repossession, or sale that does not require court proceedings.
You can find the full list here: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/fi/htm/fi.392.htm

Not paying a payday loan is not the same as bouncing a check, Most states have stipulation that explain any post dated checks (checks written for a future date) cannot be considered fraudulent under the rule of criminal law because at the time you wrote it you intended on having the money at the date that was written on the check so you had no Mens Rea or criminal mind when you wrote the check (that is needed for every criminal case)- so no they cannot hit you in criminal court only in civil court.
What they are doing  however, is highly illegal and can be punishable up to 20 years for violating federal debt collection laws.

This is a debt collection company at 5140 main st buffalo ny. I would contact your states attorney general and the NY attorney general. What they are doing is in violation of usc 15 1692. Some attorney generals office offer online complaint forms. New Yorks has to be done on a form but can be faxed the same day.

Nice fake message STEVE. Check this out if you read steves message.

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-716-748-6273


kinda funny huh?

DO NOT PAY THESE SCAMMERS ANYTHING!!!!!!!

And "Steve Watters" is now "Ellen G":
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-716-748-6273

Shill all the way.....

I just got a call from them on my husbands cell phone...#888-588-3429...I believe this is a SCAM...I don't own any BILLS...I pay everything off MONTHLY...I have a HIGH CREDIT SCORE...Just checked my credit report...THESE PEOPLE ARE A SCAM...I've never ever done anything wrong...I always take care of my business before DUE DATES...I will report these people to the police dept and find out what else I can do for them to not call me about these scams...

These people every one is referring to call me every day never a person just a recording they leave messages on my answering machine

they call me every day are they a real company or not

Wow! I got the same message as all of YOU! In particular it was identical to Nate's, 2 Mar 2011.

However, ? I Returned the Call! It sounded Real! Of course, they were closed? I left a message (regrettably).

Then, I thought, let me pull it up on the I? and see where they are located! I typed in the name of the Law office? and my querry showed this 888-?? number! Then I read All of these similar / identical notes?

And, I realized, Susan, who sounded really, Real ? was nothing more than a Computer Generated, "SUSAN"!!!

I am very happy that this service is here?!!!

If someone knows, how I should best handle the returned call ? please click on Reply, to my post!

Thanks Yall

They've called us impersonating law enforcement agencies, even to the point of using their phone numbers when they call.

They keep calling my number and leaving messages also.  I answered one and told them they had the wrong number but they keep leaving threating messages about legal action and if I want them to report I am cooperative to call by 7pm.  I don't know who M.Hendricks is, how do I get them to stop calling me?   Today a Miss Andrews left like the 10th message.

I keep receiving calls from different numbers pertaining to the same thing,, A"BAD CHECK" and it is to my parents phone number I dont know what to do anymore this number called and didn't give a name this time but it was from Brown Andrews and Scott first it was a man last night and today it was Ms. Andrews.. Its to the point that you can't answer the phone with out someone trying to scare you. I'm almost of the verge of crying because I don't know how to make them stop.

Yea, I got this number called me, they never said my name, but threatened to sue.  If their a scam, then they need to be reported and stopped.  Find even if they are for real, very poor way of doing their collections, I don't know who they are.  Enough of these scams.  Report, Report, next time, I'll keep the message and phone the police to report them, with information.

My undera age child has received numerous calls from this number.  They are looking for someone who passed bad checks.  I have called them several times and explained to them not to call my child's number again.  The last time I called they yelled at me, stating they did not have that number in their system.  I tried to explaine that we just received a call from them and they said they couldn't find the number and then hung up on me.  I have since reported them to the Federal Trade Commission and The Federal Communications Commission

Have been getting this call saying I have claims against me..it is a scam..

Received a second call today. Hadn't received one for a couple weeks after telling them off. Today they gave me the same line of crud and asked me if I was aware of it. I told him Yes, I am from the last time you called. Said,  I WILL have my attorney contact you as I know this to be a scam to steal money AND I have reported you to the FBI and the FTC. He all of a sudden couldn't hear me and kept saying hello, hello, then hung up. And Yes, I did report him to the FTC. After work I'm going to look into contacting the FBI and report to the FTC again with this new number. This is the second time they've called and a different number from last time. Last time they called from 209-812-2277.

Why they still calling my job.

National Check Fraud Center

Bad Check Laws by States
Bad checks, also known as NSF checks, bounced checks, rubber checks, insufficient checks, bogus checks, etc., can be a big problem for an individual or for any size company. There are both civil and criminal penalties for this unlawful act, although it is much more costly and difficult to prove a criminal case. Always consider your goal: to recover the money or punish the check writer?


Civil Penalties by State.
Criminal Penalties by State.

Payments for COD or preexisting debt:
In most cases, NSF checks are not considered under the bad check law if they are used to pay an antecedent debt. Therefore, if a debtor gives a debtor an NSF check to pay a note payment or to pay an invoice that is on account, the act generally does not fall within the bad check law. However, if the debtor provides a creditor with a NSF check for a COD order, then that act does fall within the bad check laws.


Postdated Checks:
Section 3-104(2)(b) of the UCC, defines a check as "a draft drawn on a bank and payable on demand." A postdated check, since it is not payable on demand, does not satisfy this demand. Consequently, it has generally been held by most states that the giving of a post-dated check does not constitute a present fraud nor is it within the scope of the bad check laws.


Who is the guilty party?
The guilty party of a fraudulent check is usually the person who signed the check, but it could also be the person who fraudulently passed it on, or even a third party who endorsed and passed the check on to another.

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Civil Penalties by States

The following information may be out of date when you read this. Check with your state statutes for current law.

Alabama. Greater of $10 or actual bank charges.

Alaska. The bidder may recover damages in an amount equal to $100 or treble the amount, whichever is greater, except that damages recovered under bad check law may not exceed the amount of the check by more than $1000.

Arizona. Twice the amount of the check or $50, whichever is greater, costs of suit, reasonable attorneys' fees.

Arkansas. Amount due, service charge not to exceed $10. On stop payment, 15 days following written demand to drawer's last known address, holder may collect fee not to exceed $15; failure to make restitution and pay collection fee will result in liability of twice the amount of check but in no event less than $50.

California. Amount due, damages of treble the amount so owing, but in no case less than $100 or more than $1, 500. [Civil Code § 1719(a)(2) ]

Colorado. Treble the amount of such check and in no case less than $100, including reasonable fees.

Connecticut. Amount of check plus lessor of: if no bank account - $750 or amount of check; or if insufficient funds - $400 or amount of check. Statutory form of notice must be sent at least two times. Statute does not apply to certain consumer services.

Delaware. Amount due, costs of suit, protest fees.

District of Columbia. Amount due, protest fees.

Florida. In event of failure to make payment within 30 days after demand, treble amount owed in addition to the amount owed together with bank and court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, not less than $50 and no more than $2,500. If payment is made in 30 days, a service charge of $10 or 5% of face amount of check, whichever is greater, can be added. In stop payment action, reimbursement for actual travel expenses to holder or agent for filing papers, and for traveling and providing witnesses to an from proceeding.

Georgia. Upon 30 days following certified written demand by payee to maker, the maker shall be liable to the payee for damages of double the amount owing on the check not to exceed $500 and service charge not to exceed $15.

Hawaii. Amount due, costs of suit, protest fees.

Idaho. $100 or treble the amount of the check, whichever is greater, but not more than $500 greater than the amount of the check.

Illinois. Treble amount of check but not less than $100 nor more than $500 plus attorney's fees and court costs.

Indiana. Treble amount of check not to exceed $500 plus amount of check, attorneys' fees of not less than $100 and interest at 18% per annum.

Iowa. Treble amount of dishonored check but not to exceed amount of check plus $500.

Kansas. Giver of worthless check is liable for the amount of the check plus an amount equal to the greater of the following: (a) treble the amount of the check, but not exceeding the amount of the check by more than $500; or (b) $100.

Louisiana. Drawer of dishonored check who fails to pay 30 days after written demand delivered by certified or registered mail is liable for damages in twice the amount owing but not less than $100 plus attorneys's fees and court costs. Payee may charge service charge not to exceed $15 or 5% of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater. District Attorney can collect fees for issuance of worthless check, depending on amount of check.

Maine. Amount due, court costs, service costs, collection costs, processing charges can be recovered only if statutory notice given, or payment within 10 days of notice.

Maryland. Amount due, $15 fee, and amount up to two times the amount of the check, but not more than $1,000. Holder may claim damages 30 days after mailing notice of dishonor to last known address of maker or drawer.

Massachusetts. Amount due, costs of suit, protest fees.

Minnesota. Amount due, $100 penalty, interest (at judgment rate), reasonable attorneys' fees if amount of check over $1,250, $15 service charge.

Mississippi. Amount due plus additional damages of 100% on checks up to $25,000, 50% (not to exceed $50 or fall below $25) on checks on $25 to $200, and 25% on checks over $200.

Missouri. Greater of treble face amount owed or $100. Damages should not exceed $500.

Montana. Service charge plus the greater of $100.00, or three times the amount of the check, but not to exceeed the value of the check by more than $500.00. (MCA 27-1-717.)

Nebraska. Amount due, costs, protest fees.

Nevada. Amount due, protest fees treble amount of check but not less than $100 nor more than $500.

New Hampshire. Amount due, interest, court costs, reasonable costs of collection, and $10 per day (maximum is $50). If check issued to city or town, amount due, $15 fee plus protest, bank, and legal fees; if issued to state agency, amount due, $5 fee plus protest and bank fees.

New Jersey. Face amount of the check, attorney fees, court costs, costs of mailing a demand for payment, and damages in an amount equal to $100.00 or triple the amount of the check, whichever is greater, but not to exceed $500.00.

New Mexico. Amount due, costs of suit, protest fees.

New York. Face value of check, plus two times amount of check up to $750.

North Carolina. Thirty days after written demand, lesser of $500 or treble amount owing on check, but not less than $100.

North Dakota. Amount due, collection fees not to exceed $10, and $100 or treble amount of check, whichever is less.

Ohio. The greater of $200 or three times the amount of check and attorney fees (no maximum).

Oregon. When maker fails to tender amount due after written demand made by payee, payee may recover damages in an amount equal to $100 or treble amount of the amount for which the check, draft or order is drawn, whichever is greater, provided the amount is not greater than $500 over the due amount.

Pennsylvania. Upon written demand from payee following conviction for passing a bad check and failure to make restitution, the payee upon obtaining civil judgment is entitled to an amount equal to $100 or treble the amount for which the check is drawn, whichever is greater, not to exceed by more than $500 the value of the check.

Rhode Island. Amount of check plus fee of $25, plus amount up to treble amount of check but not less than $200 or more than $1,000.

South Carolina. In addition to other fines, issuer shall pay all reasonable court costs, not to exceed $20 and if payment not made within 30 days, issuer shall pay amount of check and damages, of the lesser of $500 or treble the amount of the check.

Tennessee. Treble amount of check, but not to exceed $500.

Utah. Amount due, interest and costs of collection, court costs, reasonable attorneys' fees.

Vermont. Court costs, amount of check, attorneys' fees, damage in amount of $50.

Virginia. Lesser of $100 or three times amount of check.

Washington. Lesser of amount of check or interest at 12%, and cost of collection not to exceed $40. If court action necessary after 15 days, lesser of reasonable attorneys' fees and treble face of check or $100.

West Virginia. Amount due, service charge not to exceed $10.

Wisconsin. amount of check plus actual damages and exemplary damages not to exceed treble face amount of check.

Wyoming. Amount due as well as damages equal to the cost of collection plus reasonable attorneys' fees.



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Criminal Penalties by States

The following information may be out of date when you read this. Check state statutes for current laws.

Alabama. Check of $500 or more, fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5000 or imprisonment up to 3 years, or both; under $500 check, fine depends on amount and offense. Court shall also order restitution to plaintiff; defendant shall pay court costs if convicted.

Alaska. Issuing check for $25,000 or more, maximum fine of $50,000, imprisonment up to 10 years, or both, Issuing check for $500 or more, up to $25,000, maximum fine of $50,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. Issuing check for $50 or more, up to $500, maximum of $5000, imprisonment up to one year, or both. Issuing check under $50, maximum fine of $1000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both.

Arizona. Up to six months in jail or up to $300 or both if under $25; up to five years in state prison or up to one year in county jail or up to $500 fine or both if between $25 and $100; up to five years in state prison if over $100 or if no account.

Arkansas. Checks of $200 or less for 1st conviction fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500 or imprisonment up to 30 days or both; 2nd offense fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1000 or imprisonment up to 90 days or both; 3rd and subsequent offenses fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2000 or imprisonment up to one year or both.
When more than one check is involved and such checks were drawn within 90 days of each other and each is an amount less than $200, the amount of such separate checks may be added together to arrive at and be punishable under the $200 or more amount to which this category refers.

Checks for $500 involve a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment up to 10 years or both.


California. Where amount is less than $200 and is first offense, up to one year in county jail.

Colorado. Misdemeanor - imprisonment in county jail for not less than three months nor more than 12 months or by fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 or both.
Felony - imprisonment in state penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than 5 years or by fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $15,000 or both. If twice previously convicted, punishment is imprisonment in state penitentiary for not less than one year and not more than 10 years or fine of not less than $2,000 nor more than $30,000 or both.


Connecticut. Up to $1,000 fine or one year in jail or both.

Delaware. Misdemeanor - up to 2 years in jail, $1,000 fine, or both. Person who issued check must make restitution to person to whom check was issued. Felony - up to seven years and such fine as court may order.

District of Columbia. Up to three years imprisonment and $3,000 fine or both.

Florida. Felony - up to 5 years in prison or $1,000 fine. Misdemeanor - up to $300 or six months in jail.

Georgia. Check for less than $100, fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months or both. check for $100 or more but less than $300, fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months or both. Upon conviction defendant required to make restitution of the amount of the check together with all costs, which are presumed to be $20.
When more than one check is involved and such checks were drawn within 90 days of one another and each is in an amount less than $100, the amounts of such separate checks may be added together to arrive at and be punishable as above.

Check for $500 or more; a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for up to three years, or both.


Hawaii. Up to one year in jail or $1,000 fine or both.

Idaho. Fine or imprisonment or both as follows: If under $50, 1st offense - $300 and six months; 2nd offense - $1000 and one year; 3rd offense, or if amount in excess of $50 - $5,000 and three years.

Illinois. Up to $500 fine or up to one year in jail, or both.

Indiana. Up to $5,000 fine or up to one year in jail, or both.

Iowa. Up to $100 fine or 30 days in jail for misdemeanor. Up to seven years in penitentiary, or one year in jail or up to $500 fine, or both, for felony.

Kansas. Up to $2,500 fine or up to one year in jail or both. Up to $5,000 fine or one to five years in jail or both.

Kentucky. Up to $500 fine. One year in penitentiary for a misdemeanor. Felony punishable by imprisonment from one to five years and a fine of not more than $10,000, or double the offender's gain from commission of the crime, whichever is greater.

Louisiana. Check for under $100, imprisonment for not more than 6 months or fine of not more than $500 or both. A third or more such conviction, fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 2 years or both. Check for $100 or more and less than $500, imprisonment for not more than 2 years or fine of not more than $2,000 or both. Check for $500 or more, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or fine of not more than $3,000 or both. In addition, the court may order as part of the sentence restitution of the amount of the bad check plus reasonable attorneys fees.

Maine. Up to $1,000 fine or 11 months in jail, or both.

Maryland. Misdemeanor - maximum fine $100 or imprisonment up to 60 days or both. Felony - maximum fine of $1,000, imprisonment up to 15 years, or both.

Massachusetts. Up to $300 fine or one year in jail. Up to $600 fine and up to 2 years in jail or up to 5 years in penitentiary.

Michigan. Up to $250 fine or six months in jail. Up to $500 fine or one year in jail.

Mississippi. Checks under $100 - a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not less than five days nor more than six months or both. Upon conviction of second offense for check less than $100 a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not less than 30 days nor more than one year. For the third offense a felony regardless of amount involved, imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a term of not less than one year nor more than five years. For a check of more than $100, deemed a felony, punishment of fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for a term of not more than three years or both.

Missouri. Up to $500 fine or six months in jail or both. Up to $1,000 fine or one year in jail or both. In addition prosecutor can collect fee of $5 for checks less than $10, $10 for checks - $10 - $100 and $25 for check of $100 or more.

Montana. Check amount under $500.00=Up to $500 fine or six months in jail, or both. Check amount over $500.00=Up to $50,000 fine or 10 years in penitentiary or both. (MCA 45-6-316.)

Nebraska. Obtaining property worth: More than $1,000 - Class III felony. More than $300 but less than $1,000 - class IV felony. Less than $75 - class II misdemeanor; 2nd offense - class IV felony. Issuing or passing a check of any amount - class II misdemeanor.

Nevada. Up to six months in county jail or $500 fine, or both. State prison of one to 10 years or $10,000 fine or both.

New Hampshire. Up to $200 fine or up to one year in jail, or both.

New Jersey. Up to $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail or both.

New Mexico. Up to $1000 fine or 30 days in jail, or both. One to 3 years in jail, or up to $1,000, or both.

New York. Up to three months in jail, or up to $500, or up to double the amount of the drawer's gain from the commission of the offense.

North Carolina. $50 - $500 or up to six months in jail. If check is less than $50 - $50 fine or up to 30 days in jail. Over three convictions, up to one year. If check drawn on non-existent account, fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 2 years or both. If check drawn on account closed by drawer prior to time check drawn, fine not to exceed $400 or imprisonment for not more than 5 months or both.

North Dakota. $25 - $250 fine, or up to 3 months in county jail, or both. If no account - fine up to $500 and one year in jail.

Ohio. Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in jail, $1,000 fine, or both. Felon: Up to 5 years, $2,500 fine, or both.

Oklahoma. Up to one year imprisonment or up to $1,000 fine or both. One to 10 years imprisonment or up to $5,000 fine.

Oregon. Misdemeanor: Up to $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail, or both. Felony: Imprisonment for not more than 5 years.

Pennsylvania. Up to $1,000 fine or up to 2 years in penitentiary, or both.

Rhode Island. Up to $500 fine, or up to one year imprisonment, or both. Up to $2,000 fine, or up to 2 years imprisonment, or both.

South Carolina. Up to $2,000 fine or up to 10 years in jail, or both. In magistrate's court - first conviction, not less than $50, nor more than $250 or imprisonment of 30 days; second or subsequent conviction, fine of $200 or imprisonment for 30 days. Conviction in court of General Sessions, first conviction fine not less than $300 nor more than $2,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or both; for second or more conviction, fine of not less than $500 or more than $2,000 or imprisonment for not less than 30 days or not more than 10 years.

South Dakota. First offense: a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both. Second offense: a fine of not more than $300 nor less than $100 and imprisonment of not more than 6 months or less than 30 days. Third and subsequent offenses: a fine of not more than $500 nor less than $300 and imprisonment for not more than one year nor less than 6 months. Felony: Up to 3 years and not more than $1,000 fine.

Tennessee. Not over $100 - not over 11 months 29 days in jail, not over $500 fine, or both. Over $100 - from three to 10 years in jail.

Texas. Up to 2 years in county jail or up to $1,000 or both. 30 days to 2 years in jail and up to $1,000. Two to 10 years. Holder of bad check may charge obligor with any additional processing fees.

Utah. Less than $200 - up to 6 months or $299 or both; more than $200 but less than $300 - up to one year or $1,000 or both. More than $300 but less than $1,000 - up to five years or $5,000 or both; more than $1,000 - up to 15 years or $1,000 or both.

Vermont. Up to one year in jail and $1000 fine or both.

Virginia. $200 or less fine or 10 days to 12 months in jail, or both. One to five years in the penitentiary or fine and jail, or one to ten years penitentiary in discretion of court.

Washington. Misdemeanor - full restitution; the defendant need not be imprisoned, but the court shall impose a minimum fine of $500. Of the fine imposed, at least $50 shall not be suspended or deferred. Upon conviction for a second offense within any twelve-month period, the court may suspend or defer only that portion of the fine which is in excess of $500. Felony - Up to one year in jail or up to $1,000 fine, or both.

West Virginia. Maximum fine of $100, up to 10 days in jail, or both. For obtaining property under $200 - maximum fine of $200, imprisonment up to six months, or both. For obtaining property over $200 - maximum fine of $500, imprisonment from one to five years, or both.

Wisconsin. Up to $1,000 fine or one year in jail.

Wyoming. Misdemeanor - Fine of not more than $750 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Felony - Fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for a maximum of 10 years, or both.




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