Give
me a quick overview of bumchecks.net.
My name is Casey Jackson. I am a account representative for NorthStar
Technologies, a nation-wide collection agency that specializes in bad check
collection. Bumchecks.net is my personal web to make contact with businesses or
organizations such as yours that need a free check recovery service or accounts
receivables collection.
If my
site does not answer your questions or you would rather speak to me in person,
please contact me!
What
happens after we sign-up?
NorthStar
and I both contact you. You will receive a nice welcome packet from NorthStar's
corporate office and I will contact you by phone or e-mail to help you process
existing and future bad checks.
Is
NorthStar's check recovery service really free?
Yes. NorthStar uses the
state bad check fee, a cost paid by bad check writers, to make its check
recovery service completely free.
How
does NorthStar collect bad checks?
NSF checks are submitted to a proven process including these steps: collection letters, drafting the check writer's account for funds, and reporting bad check writers to the National Check Network (NCN). NCN reporting is yet another free service and it prohibits bad check writers from passing checks at nearly 200,000 merchants, including Walmart®.
If this 60 day process does not work, or checks are marked "stop payment or "closed account," NorthStar will aggressively work to collect them for 18 months using a variety of powerful collection tools such as collection phone calls, District Attorney intervention, credit bureau reporting, etc.
What
if NorthStar cannot collect a check?
NorthStar absorbs ALL the collection costs. Even in the phase 2 recovery
process where very extensive and expensive collection techniques are used, there
are still no collection fees to businesses.
Phase 2 checks are processed as a no-fees contingency split.
Do we
buy or use any special equipment?
No.
Do we need to "stamp" all
the checks we receive?
No.
NorthStar provides free "disclosure" stickers for businesses (they even offer
free laminated stickers if you need this feature). Post these stickers at your
point of sale so customers know you use NorthStar for your returned check
collection service.
Do
NorthStar require businesses to verify that certain information is on the checks
they accept?
No,
but having the driver's license information on checks is very helpful.
Do
small business owners qualify for free bad check recovery?
Yes.
With NorthStar there are no minimums for free bad check collection.
What
about existing checks? Can these be collected?
Existing checks are accepted and the collection efforts are free. Anyone in the
collections industry will tell you an important ingredient in collecting
accounts is
speed
(submit accounts as fast as possible). Such is also true for bad checks (the
older checks are the more
difficult they become to collect).
Since NorthStar's service is free, I recommend submitting checks up to 24 months
old.
What
happens to the checks we submit for collection?
NorthStar
makes an image of every check you
submit (front
and
back), and you may print these at any
time for free. If you wish to have
your checks returned, this service is available for a nominal fee.
Is a "demo account" available for corporate clients?
Yes.
Are
consolidated returns available for corporate clients?
Yes.
Reduce your bank
fees to approximately $1.00 per check and still receive
the extra 25% of the
bad check fee on NSF checks.
How
long will NorthStar work to collect our bad checks?
If NorthStar cannot
collect a NSF check in a period of about 60 days, it will work for 6, 12, of 18
months more if you so desire (this choice is made in the sign-up process and is
also free).
Yes. You may either let
your bank submit checks automatically with a brief bank form from NorthStar or
personally select and send in the checks you choose for collection.
Does
NorthStar buy bad checks? Is a "check guarantee service" available?
NorthStar does not buy or
guarantee checks. Most businesses are better served by outsourcing bad check
collection to a check recovery service like NorthStar. Unless your business
typically accepts checks valued at $500.00 or more, a check guarantee service is
usually a bad deal for businesses.
How
would we terminate NorthStar's check recovery service?
Give NorthStar a 30 day written notice. There are no termination fees.
NorthStar can offer some special services to corporations and these unique
arrangements typically involve a year-long contract.
How do we sign up?
Use the fast and free on-line process!
If you are hesitant to use the Internet to sign-up, I still offer their old
style "paper
agreement" sign-up (it is longer, but it works just as well).
Why
use NorthStar for our returned check recovery service?
You receive
all the benefits offered by other check collection services, plus 25% of the bad
check fee on NSF checks at absolutely no cost. NorthStar also provides one of
the finest check reporting systems available for free. NorthStar even offers
free check collection for stop payment and closed account checks.
Do most small
businesses need a NSF check recovery service?
Yes, and NorthStar’s free returned check management service is an ideal solution for any U.S. business. NorthStar wants to meet its clients needs, and it is usually a "good fit" for these industries that need a check recovery service: large corporations, accounting and insurance firms, grocery stores, c-stores, dental offices, boat marinas, heating and air conditioning contractors, department stores, martial arts clinics, shoe stores, massage therapy services, direct mail businesses, medical offices and hospitals, amusement parks, antique dealers, landlords, dry cleaners, school PTA organizations and school corporations, electrical companies, utility services, motels and hotels, sporting good stores, racing and motorcycle shops, movie theaters, moving companies, storage companies, auctioneers and auction houses, museums, audiologist offices, auto repair shops, fabric shops, hair and nail salons, tanning salons, newspapers, magazine and book publishers, tax preparation offices, night clubs, restaurants, bait shops, bed and breakfasts, non-profit companies, florists, nurseries, appliance repair shops, bicycle shops, gift shops, golf shops, bowling alleys, bridal shops, towing services, pawn shops, carpet cleaners, health clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, pest control services, home health care services, pharmacies, home party consultants, car wash businesses, catering services, cellular phone services, child care services, plumbing contractors, chiropractors, printers, veterinarians and veterinarian hospitals, psychologists, video stores, cleaning services, clothing stores, jewelers, waste management services, radio stations, kennels, computer services, ISP hosting services, concrete companies, stone and gravel companies, rental services, resorts, libraries, counselors and counseling services, limousine services, zoos and coffee shops. Even a Chamber of Commerce can benefit from NorthStar’s free NSF check recovery service.