Returned checks will cost more

LAKE BLUFF - National retail merchants have increased what they charge consumers whose checks are returned insufficient funds by 20 percent, according to the latest annual survey by Moebs $ervices. Merchants are now charging $30 as a median fee in comparison to $25 in 2009.

"This is the highest percent increase we have ever seen national retail merchants charge consumers for writing a bad check," said Michael Moebs, CEO and economist at Moebs $ervices, a national economic research firm based in Lake Bluff.