The Worthless Check Unit operates within the Office of the Solicitor to provide for the collection and distribution of restitution to the victims of worthless checks. The Program transfers the collection process from the victim to the Solicitor’s Office, reducing the victim’s work and cost associated with collections.
Participation by a victim in the Worthless Check Program is optional.
The Worthless Check Program is self-sustaining under the control and supervision of the Solicitor’s Office and is supported through cooperation of the judicial, law enforcement, and community service agencies. Operational costs are recovered from the offenders.
The establishment of a Worthless Check Unit within the Solicitor’s Office has been authorized by the Legislature in S.C. Code of Laws Section 17-22-710 and is in partnership with the county governing body.
When full restitution for a worthless check is made, the payment will be sent directly to you at the address specified on the complaint form.
You are entitled to receive the full face value of the worthless check and any statutorily approved service charges as a result of the worthless check.
Checks qualify if:
Given for labor (payroll checks) or personal services
Given in payment of
Merchandise
Cash
Services
All checks must be deposited within 10 days of receipt
Returned by the bank because of
Insufficient funds
Account closed
Stop payment
Note: Checks should be submitted to the Worthless Check Unit for collection with the completed complaint forms within twenty (20) days of the date the check was presented to you.
Checks do not qualify if:
Post dated
An agreement to hold check at the time of the transaction
Victim had reason to believe check was no good upon receipt
Forgery (to include)
Stolen checks
Fictitious account
Irregular signature
Note: Checks that do not qualify under this program may be in violation of another law (i.e. forgery) and will be prosecuted pursuant to the appropriate statute.
When you receive a worthless check and it meets the legal requirements, you can submit the check and the Victim/Vendor Worksheet form to the Office of the Solicitor for collection. This relieves you of the burden of the traditional collection and prosecution process.
The Solicitor’s Worthless Check Unit will contact the check writer and collect and disburse restitution to the victim. If restitution is not made pursuant to the requirements of the program, the check writer will be prosecuted.
Caution: Once you submit a worthless check to the Worthless Check Unit - DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENTS IN ANY FORM FROM THE CHECK WRITER.
This may void collection and prosecution efforts. All contacts with the check writer must be made through the Worthless Check Unit after submission of a check.
When the Worthless Check Unit receives a worthless check complaint and restitution is not made in accordance with the legal requirements, a criminal charge will be filed. The Office of the Solicitor has full statutory discretion concerning the prosecution of your worthless check complaint.
Contact Information:
Worthless Check Unit
Aiken County Government Center | 1st Floor
1930 University Parkway | Suite 1500
Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: 803.648.8637