Thankfully you seem to have a good client and not a true deadbeat.
I have handled many dozens of NSF checks over the years but only 2 in my business
the rest were as treasurer for one organization or another.
Every business should have a working arrangement with their deposit bank in that
they will only process a check or draft one time and the call you immediately.
They will not do that w/o a prior arrangement as banks make HUGE fees and profits
via those transactions. Each time the process or reprocess, that's cash out of
YOUR pocket.
In most states, there is law on what you can charge for an NSF over and above
your actual cash costs. You are entitled to the max. amount. Whether you wish
to do that is up to you.
Procedures are simple and straightforward. One you have the paper in-hand,
call your customer. Demand cash and setup a timely meeting for the exchange
plus fees.
In the event the customer dodges you then there are two basic options.
The first is to turn it over to the "authorities." That could be local police, sheriff
or state attorney. That will be locality specific. Each state has their own procedure.
The crime for passing bad paper is known as "uttering" (in case you need to
look it up in your statutes).
The second is to deal with a local branch of the bank where the check is drawn on.
You can call them twice a day and every day checking to see if there are sufficient
funds available. Once they become available, hightail it down to the nearest branch
and present the NSF check. In the 'old days' that would work just fine. Nowadays
the drawer bank wants you to have your bank guarantee your signature. Simple
procedure...check with your deposit bank. Expect to pay a small fee for the
swapping transaction.
In the "old days" I used to take a customer check that I had doubts about and
swap it for a Cashier's Check at the drawer bank. Then they started with fees.
First a dollar, then five, then ten. Now they want a fee plus a sig. guarantee.
Not worth the hassle in the main. I still may do that for a check of $2500+ that
isn't a political campaign check as they are as good as gold.