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.