DURANT, OK – “Hot check writers beware.” That's a phrase on signs you'll see all over Bryan, Coal and Atoka Counties.

District Attorney's investigators are pursuing people who intentionally write hot checks. Mystic Matthews joins us now with more.

We know who the offenders are, but what about the victims of these crimes?

They're mostly businesses, and not individuals, that receive those hot checks.

During March and April alone, Investigator David Cathey and his staff have been able to return almost $91,000 to victims.

Collections are handled by giving hot check writers 30 days to respond to notices sent by the DA's office.

In the past, the District Attorney has offered amnesty to offenders who go in to take care of their debt. But that is no longer the case.

Cathey says he feels its part of his job to safeguard businesses in the district from those who would steal from them.

Business owners in the area agree.

"I've been in police work for the last 25 years and this is a real opportunity to give something back. We are actually making recoveries and putting money back in the hands of people who've been stolen from,” says Cathey.

"With the DA's office, knowing they can get that check collected, it gives a lot more comfort to me that I can accept checks," says Mike Ridgway, who owns Durant Lumber.

Cathey says the majority of the hot checks written are under $100. But by the time they make it to the DA's office, a $25 check could end up costing over $200.

Just another good reason, he says, not to write bad checks in the first place.