Police Issue Updated Bad Check Procedure

The Wakefield Police Department has issued a reminder on procedure for handling bad checks.

Bad checks are checks that come back insufficient funds, stop payment, frozen account, or closed account and are written by the account holder or his designee.

Bad checks will not be processed for criminal action but must be brought before civil court no matter the value of the loss.

Once all civil remedies are exhausted the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Malden Office may review the case. The small claims procedure is listed below.

Small Claims Court: The amount of the loss must be under $2000.00. A small claims complaint can be filed at Malden Court, 89 Summer St., Malden MA.

If the loss is $2000.00 and over you need to pursue civil action. Check out this link for questions about small claims: http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/districtcourt/smallclaims.html

Any legal questions regarding bad checks should be address to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Malden Office at 781-897-8675.