Bad check writers beware of business

LINTON, Ind. (WTHI) - Jim Friede owns Jim's Petro Plus in Linton, Ind. He does not mess around when people don't pay for their gas.

"I figured it's a small town. If I embarrassed them, they'd come in and pay," Friede said. "So I've been doing this for eight years now, and it's worked."

Friede said he hopes a large marquee listing names of those who don't pay will keep them away from his business. He said he tries to contact bad check writers and even gives them weeks to pay up before their name goes on the sign.

If they still don't pay, he will post their name on the marquee for at least a month.

"The profit margin on gas is almost nothing," said Friede. "So if they drive off with gas it's a lot of money."

Friede said he was losing thousands of dollars a year before he started this, and he had to do something to collect.

"Tried the prosecutor, I tried a collection agency, and they just weren't effective," said Friede. "This is very effective."

Everyone's struggling in this economy, but Friede says folks have to pay their bills just like he does.