Complaint Review: Advanced Check Processing

This morning as I was getting ready to go to work, I received a phone call from a Ashley Walker. I didn't asnswer the phone, however, she left a message on my answering machine informing me that I was the subject of some sort of investigation. Well, I called her back to find out exactly what this "investigation" was all about. She told me that I was being investigated over a bad check I wrote to Ames (now out of business) in 1995. Initially she told me I owed $301.49, upon further investigation on my part I was able to ascertain the exact amount of the check in question ($101.49), as well as the date of the check (November 19, 1995).

I told her that I didn't have that much money at this time and that I didn't get paid until the following week. Well, she told me that a warrant for my arrest was going to be issued if I didn't have the money to them by 5:00 pm, and asked the usual stupid question, "do you know anyone you could borrow the money from". Natually, I told her no.

I am assuming that I will be charged with theft or check fraud. There was no deliberate attempt on my part to defraud anyone. I have never changed my name; I live in the same residence for over 40 years; the account the check was drawn on has not been closed. Why Ames did not put the check back through, if it didn't clear the first time, I don't know. I called my bank to see if I could get a photocopy of the canceled check and their records don't go back that far (the bank has merged and changed names three times since my mother opened the account in the 1980's). I have also looked up the statute of limitations on check fraud and theft by check in this area and it is 3 to 5 years. I guess I'll find out tonight if I'm going to be arrested.