Ch. 534

LAWS OF MARYLAND

"NOTICE OF DISHONORED CHECK

Date_______________________________________________

Name of Issuer_____________________________________

Street Address_____________________________________

City and State _________________________________

You are according to law hereby notified that a check or

instrument numbered __________ and dated _______________, 19 __,

drawn on the _______________ bank of ________________________ in

the amount of __________ has been returned unpaid with the

notation the payment has been refused because of

________________. Within [10] 30 days from the mailing of this

notice, you must pay or tender to

(holder)

sufficient money to pay such check or instrument in full and a
collection fee of $25. If payment of the above amounts is not
made within [10] 30 days of the mailing of this notice of
dishonor, you may be LIABLE UNDER § 5-512 § 3-512 OF THE
COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE, IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNT OF THE CHECK OR
INSTRUMENT AND A COLLECTION FEE OF $25, FOR AN AMOUNT UP TO 2
TIMES THE AMOUNT OF THE CHECK OR INSTRUMENT, BUT NOT MORE THAN
$1,000. IN ADDITION, YOU MAY BE prosecuted under the Maryland
Criminal Code (Article 27, §§ 140 through 144) and subject to the
following penalties:

(A)  if the property or services has a value of
or more, a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment
exceeding 15 years, or both;

(B)  if the property or services has a value of less
than $300, a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not
exceeding 18 months, or both. IT SHALL BE A DEFENSE TO ANY
ACTION BROUGHT BY THE HOLDER UNDER § 3-512 OF THE COMMERCIAL LAW
ARTICLE THAT:

(1)  THE DISHONOR OF THE CHECK OR INSTRUMENT WAS DUE
TO A JUSTIFIABLE STOP PAYMENT ORDER OR TO THE ATTACHMENT OF THE
ACCOUNT; OR

(2)  WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE MAILING OF "THE NOTICE OF
DISHONORED CHECK", THE MAKER OR DRAWER HAS PAID THE HOLDER THE
FULL AMOUNT OF THE CHECK OR INSTRUMENT AND COLLECTION COSTS OF
NOT MORE THAN $25."

(2) The holder to whom a check or other instrument is
issued [shall] MAY post a clearly conspicuous notice at or near
the point of receipt stating the liability of the maker or drawer
for the collection fee AND DAMAGES provided in § 3-512 of this

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