Each month the Cape Girardeau County Bad Check Unit in the prosecutor's office receives 500 to 600 bad checks. Retailers want the unit to find the check writers and collect the money that is due.

And the unit has been fairly successful since it was started in 1989: more than $1 million in restitution so far.

The curious thing is that the Bad Check Unit now recognizes some familiar names of bad-check writers who repeat the offense over and over. Stores are alerted with the names of these repeat offenders in an effort to stop bad checks before they are accepted for payment.

But many stores find it inconvenient to screen checks when they are offered in payment. Some stores would prefer to risk the occasional bad-check writer rather than expose the rest of their customers to stiff scrutiny.

Fortunately for the Bad Check Unit, it collects fees for tracking down bad-check writers. So far the unit has taken in some $200,000, offsetting the collection expense.

The Bad Check Unit has a good success rate and provides a valuable service. But some retailers might be better off if they took a little more care at the cash register when a check is presented. Most check writers understand the problem, and those with plenty of money in their accounts ordinarily won't mind safeguards that could reduce the cost of the items they are purchasing.