A book of checks and a bank statement were stolen from our mailbox. The bank has been wonderfully cooperative, helping us close the account and get the appropriate documentation to the sheriff's office.
Lately, we have been receiving mail and phone calls from collection agencies about the checks that were forged after the account was closed. Can we just give these people the sheriff's department phone number and case number? Do we have any further responsibility to these companies? Can't they contact their bank and follow the trail themselves? We did not accept checks with fraudulent IDs; we should not have to do all the follow up work.
If the bank returned checks marked "unauthorized signature", the collection agencies might realize what had happened. The bank probably has used a different return reason, also correct, to report that the account is closed. That could suggest that you (the person named on the printed checks) issued checks on a closed account, which would be fraud on your part.
You are responding correctly by directing the agencies to the sheriff's department and providing the case number. However, you may have to struggle with some of the agencies who might doggedly pursue a refund even though you can show you owe nothing. If you are harassed, contact the sheriff's office or an attorney for assistance.
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If the bank returned checks marked "unauthorized signature", the collection agencies might realize what had happened. The bank probably has used a different return reason, also correct, to report that the account is closed. That could suggest that you (the person named on the printed checks) issued checks on a closed account, which would be fraud on your part.