[morpheuskafka]

True, but--the bank should communicate clearly when the check has cleared, and display an intermediate icon that says "per the law/policy, you are allowed to access these funds now, but payment processing is not complete. if the payment does not clear, you must repay these funds."

Also, if the bank really wanted to help, they could offer the services of its fraud unit in attempting to identify and have the check writer prosecuted.

Honestly, it's time to kill checks. They have no place in today's world and can only cause problems.