The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will investigate bad checks in certain circumstances.  A bad check by a check written by an authorized user on an account that either has insufficient funds or has been closed.  This does not include checks that are stolen, forged or counterfeit. 

The Sheriff’s Office will investigate bad checks if:

• The check is for more than $10,000.00.
• The check was written within the past 60 days.
• The check has been processed and stamped twice by the bank; the account did not exist or has been closed for more than 30 days.
• The check has written on it a valid Colorado Driver’s License or ID card number and/or the check writer’s DOB, or that the party accepting the check knew the check writer.
• The person accepting the check (even if different from the reporting party) must be able to testify that the photo on the identification matched the check writer.
• The check must be pre-printed and contain the name and address of either the check writer’s home or business (no starter checks).

The Sheriff’s Office will not investigate checks for more than $10,000 if:

• The checks were drawn on out of state bank accounts.
• There checks were postdated.
• The check taker agreed to hold onto the check for a while.
• Checks were part of an installment payment.
• It was a rent check.
• The check was guaranteed, unless it exceeds the amount of guarantee.
• Checks were given as restitution or to satisfy any part of a civil judgment or given as a deposit or earnest money.
• Partial restitution has been made on the check.
• Three party checks.
• Faxed checks.
• Stop payment checks in most cases.

For questions about bad checks and prosecution contact the Financial Crimes Unit at 303-663-7248.