A.  Whenever any drawer of a check stops payment on the check  with the intent to defraud or when there is no justifiable dispute as to the amount owed or the existence of the obligation, the drawer shall be liable to a holder in due course as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 10:3-302, or a person subrogated to the rights of such holder, for damages of twice the amount so owing, but in no case less than one hundred dollars, plus attorney fees and court costs, if the drawer fails to pay the obligation created by the check within thirty days after receipt of written demand for payment thereof substantially in the form provided for in Subsection C which notice is delivered by certified or registered mail.

B.  The holder in due course may charge the drawer of the check a service charge not to exceed fifteen dollars or five percent of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater, when making written demand for payment.

C.(1)  Before any recovery under Subsection A  of this Section may be claimed, a written demand in substantially the form which follows shall be sent by certified or registered mail to the drawer of the check at the address shown on the instrument:

“You are hereby notified a stop payment has been ordered by ___________________ (name of bank) against a check drawn upon such bank, numbered __________ and issued by you on _____________ (date), payable to ___________________ , which has been issued and/or negotiated to ____________________, who is a holder in due course pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 10:3-302.   Pursuant to Louisiana law, you have thirty days from receipt of this notice to tender payment in full of the amount of the check plus a service charge of fifteen dollars or five percent of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater, the total amount due being ______________, to such holder in due course.  Unless this amount is paid in full within the thirty-day period, the holder in due course of the check may file a civil action against you for two times the amount of the check or one hundred dollars, whichever is greater, plus any court costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by such holder in taking the action.”

(2)  Notice mailed by certified or registered mail evidenced by return receipt to the address printed on the check or given at the time of issuance shall be deemed sufficient and equivalent to notice having been received by the drawer of the check.

(3)  It shall be prima facie evidence that the drawer has no defenses to the claim of such holder in due course if notice mailed by certified or registered mail is returned to the sender when such notice is mailed within a reasonable time of the stopped payment to the address printed on the instrument or given by the drawer at the time of issuance of the check.

Acts 1997, No. 1198, §1, eff. July 1, 1997.