We usually receive less than five bounced checks per year. We always work to recover the amount of the check and any fee we incur. Most often a personal note from the treasurer usually handles the issue. Last year we had someone who just wouldn't pay. We voted on it at a regular meeting and as a membership decided to take the person to small claims court. It would cost us a little extra but we did not want to set a precedent for non-payers. Right after the party received the notification of the court date, we received payment.

On the average our bounce checks number about 3-4 a year.When I get one I call them, add on the bank charge and request either a money order or cash dropped off at school. They then get a receipt and their old check back. I have never had anyone not deal with the problem right away. Seems like when I throw in that "oh it's money for the kids" that handles any comments. Last year we really tried to push checks and money orders for fundraisers due to some cash problems we had, it has worked really good for us! Knock on wood!

I had never thought about this until about a year or so ago I saw it as discussion on here. So I talked to our treasurer who at the time was the librarian and just happened to be having a book fair. She said that she had only seen a few but asked me to look into it somemore. After that we started posting that there would be a $20.00 fee on all returned checks, because of our circumstances she didn't want to charge anymore than the bank did. She said she usually contacted the person by phone and it was a mistake on their part. She only had one that she had trouble with, she had called and sent notes. Since we are a small school and everyone knows everyone she felt comfortable calling and everything was kept strictly confidential.

Since bad checks are not a problem and we are such a small PTO I do not think we would need anything automated to handle it.

We have 4-8 bounced checks per year (about the same as everyone else). Our bank charges $20 per check which we attempt to recover from the bouncer. 90% of the time, the problem is an honest mistake (stupid and careless yes, but underhanded, I don't think so). It's painful to have to cough up the $20, but most people do it. We have a standard letter we send, include a copy of the notice from the bank and a copy of the returned check.

I wouldn't want a check to be resubmitted automatically because it may cause the bouncer to incur additional fees (if the check bounces again, I mean). We want our money back, but we want to at least notify the bouncer so they can make good before the check is resubmitted.

In ten years, we had our first bounced check this spring. The school handled it with a letter and are members of a check recovery company if the parent doesn't respond in due time. There is also fees involved but if you call and make good on the check the fee is often wavied.

With all our accounting changes it's nice this won't change....I hope not anyway!

We usually have between 3-4 bounced checks per year. Our bank does not charge us a fee so there are no additional charges to the parent. I first call the parent followed by a letter.