PORTLAND – The prosecutor in Maine’s most populous county has announced a new program to help businesses combat losses from customers who pass worthless checks.

Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said the Check Enforcement Program’s goal is to assure full restitution, including any bank charges, to victims without adding to the criminal justice system’s financial burden.

Under the program, a person who writes a dishonored check receives a notice. If the check writer complies by paying the amount of the check and any bank charges, the proceeds are forwarded to the business. The check writer also must complete an educational course to help avoid future bad checks.

If the check writer fails to comply after a second warning and a final warning, criminal prosecution may begin.

Anderson has been meeting with business groups to outline the program.

Hundreds of bad checks are passed every year in Cumberland County, but an average of only 45 cases a year have been prosecuted on charges of negotiating a worthless instrument.