Library index

Law links and verification status · Blank forms. Citation links are generated from extracted text; unverified links, image-only pages and incomplete citations require review. Reference-book links open publisher resources, not exact definitions.

Fiscal Services Manual gold-book-full

What this file is for

A guide presenting the author’s explanation or proposed sequence for the subject named in the title. Use it to study the steps, examples and references; distinguish the author’s approach from the official sources it cites.

Introduction based on title and extracted source text.

PDF page numbers count from the first file page; printed labels may differ.

Open document online · Download source file

PDF page 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service 
Check Reclamation Procedure 

PDF page 2

 
 
II 
Table of Contents 
Section 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4 
General Information ................................................................................................................................. 4 
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4 
Payments affected ................................................................................................................................ 4 
Conditions ............................................................................................................................................. 4 
Time limitation on reclamation action ................................................................................................. 4 
The presenting bank is liable for the following: ................................................................................... 4 
The presenting bank should be aware that: ......................................................................................... 5 
Check Information ................................................................................................................................ 5 
Section 2: Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) ....................................... 6 
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 6 
Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) ....................................................................... 7 
Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 8 
How to Respond to the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) ................................. 8 
Response Time: ..................................................................................................................................... 8 
Procedure .............................................................................................................................................. 8 
Summary of Debt Statement .................................................................................................................... 9 
Sample .................................................................................................................................................. 9 
Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 9 
Multi-part form ................................................................................................................................... 10 
Column explanation ............................................................................................................................ 10 
Reclamation Status Codes ....................................................................................................................... 12 
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 12 
Codes .................................................................................................................................................. 12 
Section 3: Information Requests ............................................................................................ 13 
Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 13 
How to Request a Copy of a Reclamation ............................................................................................... 13 
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 13 
Requesting Information .......................................................................................................................... 13 
Procedure ............................................................................................................................................ 13 
Section 4: Protests ................................................................................................................. 15 
Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 15 
General Information ............................................................................................................................... 15 
Unacceptable Protests ........................................................................................................................ 15 
How to Protest a Check Reclamation ...................................................................................................... 16 

PDF page 3

 
 
 Table of Contents continued 
 
Gold Book 
III 
Procedure ............................................................................................................................................ 16 
How To Notify Fiscal Service That Reclamation Notice Is Not Your Item ........................................... 17 
Fiscal Service Response ....................................................................................................................... 17 
Section 5: Overpayments ....................................................................................................... 18 
Procedure ................................................................................................................................................ 18 
Returning Funds .................................................................................................................................. 18 
Section 6: Offsets, .................................................................................................................. 19 
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 19 
Example ................................................................................................................................................... 19 
Reclamation amount ........................................................................................................................... 19 
Federal Entity Payment/reimbursement ............................................................................................ 19 
Offset action ....................................................................................................................................... 19 
Making a Payment .............................................................................................................................. 20 
Offsets in error .................................................................................................................................... 20 
Section 7: Legal Basis ............................................................................................................. 21 
31 U.S.C. 3712 ..................................................................................................................................... 21 
31 U.S.C. 3711-3720E .......................................................................................................................... 21 
31 CFR 240 .......................................................................................................................................... 21 
Limited Payability ................................................................................................................................ 21 
Section 8: Contacts ................................................................................................................ 23 
Contact List .............................................................................................................................................. 23 
Section 9: Glossary ................................................................................................................ 24 
 
 
 

PDF page 4

 
 
 
 1. Introduction 
 
Gold Book 
4 
Section 1: Introduction 
General Information 
Introduction 
Check reclamation is a recovery procedure used by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service 
(Fiscal Service) to obtain refunds (reclamations) from a presenting bank for paid 
U.S. Treasury checks. 
Payments affected 
All U.S. Treasury checks, regardless of the payment type, are subject to check 
reclamation procedures. 
Conditions 
Reclamation actions may be initiated against the presenting bank when the… 
• Check was presented for payment over a forged or unauthorized 
endorsement,  
• When a benefit check was negotiated after the payee’s death, or 
• When the check was materially altered 
Time limitation on reclamation action 
The table below shows how long Fiscal Service has to reclaim funds from the 
presenting bank. 
If the payee is: Then the Bureau of the Fiscal Service has: 
Deceased One year from the date the check was presented for payment. 
Not deceased One year and 180 calendar days from the date the check was 
presented for payment, providing the payee filed a timely claim. 
The presenting bank is liable for the following: 
• The principal amount of the check; and if applicable, accrued interest, 
penalties, and administrative fees. 

PDF page 5

 
 
 1. Introduction 
 
Gold Book 
5 
The presenting bank should be aware that: 
• Their liability is not contingent upon its ability to collect from prior endorsers, 
• It's their responsibility to pay reclamations timely in order to avoid the direct 
debit process that will occur on the 31st calendar day if the reclamation has 
not been paid or protested, and 
• Fiscal Service will only accept reclamation protests from presenting banks 
and not their customers or other correspondents. 
Check Information 
 
 
Check Description: 
Where information is located 
MICR Line: 
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Line 
1. Issue Date 
2. Payee Name 
3. Disbursing Office Location 
(Optional) 
4. Issue Type 
5. Check Symbol 
6. Check Serial Number 
7. Issue Amount 
 
A. Check Symbol 
B. Check Digit 
C. Routing Number Unique to U. S. Treasury checks 
D. Check Serial Number 
E. Check Digit 
F. Federal Entity Code 
G. Issue Date (MM/YY) 
H. Paid Amount, if the financial institution encodes the 
amount 
View security features of the Treasury Check.   
Note: Special messages may be included on the face of treasury checks, for specific 
payment types. These messages are for informational purposes only.   

PDF page 6

 
 
 6 
 2. Notice of Direct Debit 
 
Gold Book 
Section 2: Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury 
Check Reclamation) 
Introduction 
All check reclamations are sent to the presenting bank via a Notice of Direct Debit 
(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). This notice will advise the presenting bank of 
the amount demanded and the reason for the demand; it will also contain 
instructions for processing the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 
Reclamation).  
The presenting bank will receive: 
• An initial Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation), and as 
necessary 
• A Summary of Debt Statement. 
The Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation), the Summary of Debt 
Statement and other related check reclamation reports are generated by the 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service) and transmitted through FRB FedMail to 
the presenting bank. 
This section consists of the following topics: 
• The Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation), 
• How to Respond to the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 
Reclamation), 
• Summary of Debt Statement, and 
• Reclamation Status Codes. 
 
 
 
 

PDF page 7

 
 7 
 2. Notice of Direct Debit 
 
Gold Book 
Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 
Reclamation) 
Below is a sample of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation): 
 
  
 

PDF page 8

 
 
 8 
 2. Notice of Direct Debit 
 
Gold Book 
Purpose 
The Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) is the initial notice 
sent to the presenting bank advising it of the amount requested and reason for the 
reclamation action. A copy of the payee's claim, if applicable, will be included with 
the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation).  
Note: If Fiscal Service furnishes a sequence number and deposit date, then a check image will 
not be provided. 
How to Respond to the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. 
Treasury Check Reclamation) 
Response Time: 
Presenting banks have 30 calendar days from the date of the Notice of Direct Debit 
(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) to make full payment or submit a protest to 
Fiscal Service to avoid the direct debit on their Federal Reserve master account. 
Fiscal Service will automatically process the Direct Debit on the 31st day if no 
protest has been entered. 
Procedure 
The table below shows how the presenting bank should respond to a Notice of 
Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). 
Step Action 
1 • Verify all information on the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 
Reclamation). 
• If there is any erroneous information, then the presenting bank may protest 
the reclamation action. Protests. 
2 • Unless filing a protest, authorize the Fiscal Service to debit the presenting 
bank’s Federal Reserve master account for the total amount due. (This is the 
preferred method for paying the check reclamation.) 
• Include interest, penalty and administrative fees that appear on the Summary 
of Debt Statement for that reclamation item, as applicable. 
3 • Authorizations can be sent to the Fiscal Service by Fax to: 215-516-8201 , or 
E-mail at: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov 
4 • A copy of the Notice of Direct Debit should be retained in the presenting 
bank’s files. 

PDF page 9

 
 9 
 2. Notice of Direct Debit 
 
Gold Book 
Summary of Debt Statement 
Sample 
 
Purpose 
The Summary of Debt Statement is a follow-up notice sent to the presenting bank 
on a monthly basis. It includes the following for each outstanding reclamation listed 
on a Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) previously sent to 
that bank: 
• Identifying check information,  
• Reclamation information,  
• Additional charges associated with the reclamation (interest, penalties, and 
administrative fees), when applicable, and  
• Status of reclamation.  

PDF page 10

 
 
 10 
 2. Notice of Direct Debit 
 
Gold Book 
Multi-part form 
The Summary of Debt Statement consists of the following parts: 
• Listing of outstanding reclamation(s) and associated information,  
• An explanation of authorities and Fiscal Service processes regarding 
reclamations, protests, and collections, and  
• Explanation of columns on the Summary of Debt Statement.  
Column explanation 
The table below describes the type of information included in each column on the 
Summary of Debt Statement. 
 
Ref. No. Column Explanation 
1-2 Check 
Sym/Serial 
Check Symbol number and Check Serial number 
appearing on the check for which there is a reclamation 
action. 
3 Payee Name Name of the person to whom the check was issued for 
which there is a reclamation action. 
4 Reclamation 
Date 
Date shown on the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury 
Check Reclamation). 
5 Reclamation 
Status Code   
Headed with the designation of "S" on the Summary of 
Debt Statement 
Current status of the reclamation by code. (Refer to 
Reclamation Status Codes.) 
6 Reclamation 
Number 
Request number which appears on the Notice of Direct 
Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). 

PDF page 11

 
 11 
 2. Notice of Direct Debit 
 
Gold Book 
Ref. No. Column Explanation 
7 Reclamation 
Principal 
Reclamation amount due which appears on the Notice 
of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). 
8 Interest 
Rate 
Interest rate being charged on the item, if applicable, 
because it has remained unpaid for over 60 calendar 
days.  
Note: If applicable, the rate of interest assessed is the rate of the 
current value of funds of the U.S. Treasury. Although the interest rate 
varies, the initial rate charged on reclamation is the rate that remains 
until it is paid. 
9 Interest Due Amount of interest due per item as of the current 
Summary of Debt Statement. 
10 Penalty Due Penalty charges due per item as of the current 
Summary of Debt Statement.  
Note: Penalty amounts are calculated pursuant to 31 USC § 3717, if 
applicable.  
11 Admin Fee 
Due 
Administrative fee due per item as of the current 
Summary of Debt Statement, if applicable. The amount 
is based on the cost to the U.S. Federal Government for 
the collection of delinquent items.  
12 Total 
Amount 
Due 
Total of the: 
• Reclamation principal, 
• Accrued interest due, 
• Penalty due, and 
• Administrative fee due as of the current 
Summary of Debt Statement  
 
 
 
 
 
 

PDF page 12

 
 
 12 
 2. Notice of Direct Debit 
 
Gold Book 
Reclamation Status Codes 
Introduction 
Items appearing on the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) 
that have been protested may be annotated by the letter B in the Reclamation 
Status column on the Summary of Debt Statement. 
Codes 
The list below shows the reclamation status codes and what each code means 
when it is used on the Summary of Debt Statement. 
 
CODE A IDENTIFIES items at least 90 calendar days old 
• Items will become eligible for an Administrative Offset, also known as an 
Offset, at 120 calendar days if payment is not received by Fiscal Service prior 
to the 25th calendar day of the month in which the Summary of Debt 
statement is received. 
 
CODE B IDENTIFIES items for which a protest is being considered.  
• This code will remain on the statement until the protest is resolved.  Pending 
written notification from Fiscal Service responding to your financial 
institution's request, collection efforts, including offset, will be held in 
suspension.  
 
CODE C IDENTIFIES a Reclamation and/or accrued interest, penalty charges, and 
administrative fees that have remained unpaid for at least 120 days after the 
reclamation date.  
• Fiscal Service has referred or will refer the debt to the Treasury Offset 
Program (TOP) and/or to another Federal entity for offset of Federal 
payments payable to your financial institution to collect the debt owed. If the 
debt is not collected through an administrative offset, Fiscal Service will 
initiate Treasury Check Offset (TCO), whereby Fiscal Service directs the 
Federal Reserve Bank to offset credits for Treasury checks presented for 
payment by your financial institution. The offset credits will be applied to the 
debt owed by your financial institution.   
 

PDF page 13

 
 13 
 3. Information Requests Gold Book 
Section 3: Information Requests 
Overview 
This section consists of the following topics: 
• How to Request a copy of a Reclamation, and  
• Requesting Other Types of Information.  
How to Request a Copy of a Reclamation 
Introduction 
Fiscal Service will provide the financial institutions with the following: 
• A copy of the original Notice of Direct Debit (Duplicate), and 
• A copy of the claim; if applicable. 
Requesting Information 
Procedure 
The table below shows how to request: 
• A claim copy, 
• A copy of a Notice of Direct Debit, or 
• Other types of information from the Fiscal Service. 
STEP ACTION 
1 • Send an e-mail to the Fiscal Service address: 
NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov stating specifically what 
information is needed.  
• The e-mail must reference the check symbol and check serial number 
so the check can be identified in the Fiscal Service system. 
 
Note: If Fiscal Service furnishes a sequence number and deposit date, then a check 
image will not be provided. 

PDF page 14

 
 
 14 
 3. Information Requests 
 
Gold Book 
STEP ACTION 
2 • Retain a copy of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 
Reclamation). 
 
Note: The instructions and the form for updating a financial institution's e-mail 
address for check reclamations are located at: 
https://www.frbservices.org/assets/forms/fedline/fedmailservicechangeform-rv.pdf. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PDF page 15

 
 15 
 4. Protests Gold Book 
Section 4: Protests 
Overview 
This section consists of the following topics: 
• General Information, and 
• How to Protest a Check Reclamation. 
General Information 
A protest is a request that the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service) review its 
decision regarding the presenting bank’s liability for a check reclamation. 
It raises a valid legal or factual question and includes: 
• A written statement, and 
• Supporting documentation which proves that the presenting bank is not 
liable for the reclamation. 
Presenting banks have 30 days from the date of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. 
Treasury Check Reclamation) to pay the full amount of the reclamation before their 
Federal Reserve master account is automatically debited. However, if the 
presenting bank protests within 30 days from the date of the Notice of Direct Debit 
(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation), the direct debit will not occur. If a presenting 
bank enters a protest after the direct debit has occurred, and the protest is 
substantiated, Fiscal Service will refund the presenting bank the amount of the 
reclamation. 
Note: Unpaid Reclamations which are under protest are identified by a code B in the 
Reclamation Status column on the Summary of Debt Statement. 
Unacceptable Protests 
Listed below are examples of unacceptable protests. 
• Protests that are received after 60 calendar days from the reclamation date, 
• Protests that include no or insufficient documentation to substantiate the 
protest, 
• Protests that attempt to transfer liability from the presenting bank to the 
presenting bank’s prior endorser, and 
• Protests from any other entity than the presenting bank to which the 
reclamation was directed. 

PDF page 16

 
 
 16 
 4. Protests 
 
Gold Book 
How to Protest a Check Reclamation 
Procedure 
The table below describes the process to protest a check reclamation. 
STEP ACTION 
1 Write a letter to the Fiscal Service requesting a review of its decision regarding the 
financial institution's liability for the check reclamation. 
The protest must be on your financial institutions letterhead, and include the 
check symbol and the check serial number so that the record can be identified in 
the Fiscal Service system. 
2 Attach documentation to support the protest. 
Documentation may include, but is not limited to:  
• Signed statements from payees or other individuals, 
• Signature cards reflecting opening and closing dates for relevant accounts, 
• Deposit slips, 
• Account statements, 
• Evidence regarding the death of the payee, 
• Proof that the payee benefited from the check proceeds, 
• Power of Attorney, 
• Release of claim signed by the payee, and 
• Evidence that the deceased payee's estate reimbursed the federal entity 
for the full amount of the check. 
If documentation is not provided, the letter of protest will be returned without 
consideration. 
3 Retain a copy of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) 
while the reclamation protest is being considered. 
4 Mail protest to:  
Or Fax it to: 
215-516-8201  
 
Or email it to: 
NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov  
Department of the Treasury 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service 
Check Resolution Division  
P.O. Box 51318 
Philadelphia, PA 19115-6318 
 
 

PDF page 17

 
 17 
 4. Protests Gold Book 
How To Notify Fiscal Service That Reclamation Notice Is Not Your 
Item 
Send an e-mail to: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov informing Fiscal Service 
that your bank did not present the check for payment. 
Fiscal Service Response 
Fiscal Service will send a letter to the appropriate financial institution providing 
status or the outcome of the protest within 60 calendar days of receiving the 
protest. 
Fiscal Service responses may include: 
If the protest was substantiated and the reclamation was paid, then the 
accumulated credit will be returned to the financial institution. 
If the protest was substantiated and the reclamation was not paid, then the 
reclamation will be abandoned, and a disregard notice will be sent to the financial 
institution. 
 
If the protest was not substantiated and the reclamation was paid, then a denial 
letter will be sent to the financial institution and the case will be closed. 
 
If the protest was not substantiated and the reclamation was not paid, a denial 
letter will be sent to the financial institution. The financial institution will remain 
liable for the reclamation principal and any interest, penalty, and administrative 
fees assessed. The amount owed will be debited from the financial institutions 
Master Account five calendar days after the bank protest is denied.  
 
 
 

PDF page 18

 
 
 18 
 5. Overpayments 
 
Gold Book 
Section 5: Overpayments 
Procedure 
The table below shows what to do if the financial institution overpaid the Notice of 
Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). 
STEP ACTION 
1 • Write a letter to the Fiscal Service stating that the Notice of Direct Debit 
(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) was overpaid. 
 
• The letter must include the reclamation ticket number, the check symbol 
and the check serial number so the check can be identified in the Fiscal 
Service system. 
 
• This information can be obtained from the financial institution's file copy 
of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). 
2 • Attach a copy of the documentation as proof of duplicate payment. 
3 • Mail, Email or fax letter to: 
Department of the Treasury 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service 
Check Resolution Division 
P.O. Box 51318 
Philadelphia, PA 19115-6318 
Fax: 215-516-8201  
Email: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov 
Returning Funds 
After researching and verifying the request, Fiscal Service will promptly refund the 
amount of the overpayment. Treasury may refund the amount either by applying 
the amount to another reclamation debt in accordance with applicable law, or by 
returning the amount to the financial institution. 
 

PDF page 19

 
 19 
 6. Offsets Gold Book 
Section 6: Offsets,  
Introduction 
If a reclamation debt remains unpaid for 120 calendar days after the reclamation 
date, and a protest has not been filed, Treasury will refer the reclamation debt, if 
eligible, to Treasury's centralized Treasury Offset Program (TOP) or another Federal 
entity for offset in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3716.  
Offset is a collection method in which the U.S. federal government withholds funds 
payable by the U.S. federal government to the financial institution, and applies the 
withheld funds to a debt owed. Fiscal Service may initiate an offset to collect a 
reclamation debt by referring the debt to the Treasury Offset Program (TOP)
. 
Example 
Reclamation amount 
The presenting bank owes $400.00 for a reclamation item that is over 120 calendar 
days old. 
Federal Entity Payment/reimbursement 
The presenting bank is currently receiving a $2,000.00 Tax Refund from the Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS.) 
Offset action 
Fiscal Service requests that the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) offset the 
reclamation amount from the presenting bank’s tax refund. 
Treasury Offset Program (TOP) will divert $400.00 of the tax refund reimbursement 
to Fiscal Service and send $1,600.00 to the presenting bank, along with a notice 
explaining the offset action. 
 
 

PDF page 20

 
 
 20 
 6. Offsets 
 
Gold Book 
Description Calculation 
IRS Tax Refund to the presenting bank. $2000.00 
Reclamation amount referred by Fiscal Service to TOP for offset 
action. 
$400.00 
Amount presenting bank will receive after offset action. $1600.00 
OFFSET: Amount TOP will divert to Fiscal Service to settle the 
reclamation item. 
$400.00 
 
Making a Payment 
If a presenting bank chooses to pay a reclamation which was referred for offset, 
then they should call Fiscal Service as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of a 
duplicate payment. 
Please have the check symbol and check serial number available so that the 
check can be identified in the Fiscal Service system. 
Refer to Contacts for the telephone number. 
Offsets in error 
Below shows what happens if an offset is executed in error. 
• IF a reclamation is collected by an offset AND it is later determined that the 
presenting bank ... 
-paid the reclamation or, 
-filed a timely protest and is not liable for the amount of the reclamation  
o THEN Fiscal Service will promptly refund the amount of the offset to 
the presenting bank , if appropriate. 
 

PDF page 21

 
 21 
 7. Legal Basis Gold Book 
Section 7: Legal Basis 
Introduction: This section cites the laws and regulations governing the check 
reclamation process. 
31 U.S.C. 3712 
• Establishes Fiscal Service's right to demand a refund from a presenting bank 
when, after the check is paid, forgery is established or the payee's 
entitlement stopped with his/her death. 
• Establishes Treasury Check Offset. 
31 U.S.C. 3711-3720E 
• Establishes the government's right to collect debts using various collection 
tools, including offset. 
• Establishes the rates at which a federal entity assesses interest, penalties, 
and administrative fees on delinquent debts. 
31 CFR 240 
• Establishes the process by which Fiscal Service will directly debit a presenting 
bank’s federal reserve master account for the full amount of the reclamation 
if not paid or protested by the 30th calendar day from the reclamation date. 
• Establishes the process by which Fiscal Service will add interest, penalties 
and administrative fees to delinquent reclamation debts, if applicable. 
• Establishes the process by which Fiscal Service will refer reclamation debts 
for collection by offset. 
• Establishes that Fiscal Service will take such action as may be necessary to 
collect delinquent reclamation debts. 
Limited Payability 
The Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-86), referred to as 
Limited Payability, significantly reduced the time period for…  
• Negotiating U.S. Treasury checks to one year from the check issue date. 
• Filing non-receipt claims to one year from the check issue date. 
• Initiating a reclamation action against the presenting bank to one and a half 
years from the date the check is paid. 

PDF page 22

 
 
 22 
 7. Legal Basis 
 
Gold Book 
Exception: In cases of deceased payees, reclamation action must begin within 
one year from the date the check is paid. 
 

PDF page 23

 
 23 
 8. Contacts Gold Book 
Section 8: Contacts 
Contact List 
For assistance regarding a specific check reclamation write to: 
 
Department of the Treasury 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service  
Check Resolution Division 
P.O. Box 51318 
Philadelphia, PA 19115-6318 
• Phone: 1-855-868-0151 option #1, option #1 
• Fax: 215-516-8201  
Authorizations for a check reclamation payment should only be made directly to 
the Department of Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. 
• E-mail: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov 
• Fax: 215-516-8201  
For information about the Treasury Offset Program, visit 
www.fiscal.treasury.gov/top/
 . 
 

PDF page 24

 
 
 24 
 9. Glossary 
 
Gold Book 
Section 9: Glossary 
Abandonment 
An abandonment is a process used by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal 
Service) to terminate the check reclamation because the financial institution's 
liability for the reclamation was deemed inappropriate. 
Administrative Offset 
As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, an administrative offset, also referred to 
in this document as offset, is the withholding of funds payable by the United 
States (including funds payable by the United States on behalf of a State 
government) to, or held by the United States for, a person to satisfy a claim 
or debt. 
Check Reclamation 
A check reclamation is a demand to a financial institution for a refund of the 
amount of an improperly negotiated or unauthorized U.S. Department of the 
Treasury (Treasury) check payment. 
Direct Debit 
A direct debit is a process that debits the financial institution's Federal 
Reserve master account for the full amount of the reclamation on the 31st 
calendar day provided the financial institution has not submitted a protest 
and has not paid the reclamation by an authorization before the 30th 
calendar day from the reclamation date. 
Federal Entity 
A federal entity is any department, agency, independent establishment, 
board, office, commission, or other establishment in the executive, 
legislative, or judicial branch of the federal government; any wholly owned or 
controlled government corporation; and the municipal government of the 
District of Columbia. “Agency”, “Federal Agency”, “department”, “federal 
entity”, and “reporting entity” are used interchangeably unless otherwise 
noted.  
Federal Reserve Bank 
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of 12 Districts, each 
served by a Federal Reserve Bank, serves as the nation’s central bank. 
Federal Reserve Banks serve as the federal government’s fiscal agents. The 
national system of Federal Reserve Banks processes electronic payments 
(e.g., Fedwire transfers and ACH) and checks, handles federal government 

PDF page 25

 
 25 
 9. Glossary Gold Book 
deposits and various support functions, and supervises and regulates 
federally chartered financial institutions. 
FedMail 
The Fedmail is an application that receives large files for distribution via e-
mail, Connect:Direct (C:D), or fax to financial institutions depending on how 
the financial institution prefers to receive the information. 
Financial Institution 
A financial institution (FI) includes but is not limited to any commercial bank, 
savings bank, credit union, savings and loan association, state bank, or 
national bank created under federal or state law authorized to accept 
Treasury General Account (TGA) deposits, as well as deposits from other 
federal collection programs. 
Master Account 
A Master Account is the record of financial rights and obligations of an 
account holder and the Federal Reserve Bank with respect to each other, 
where opening, intraday, and closing balances are determined. 
Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) 
A Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) is an initial notice 
sent to the presenting bank advising it of the amount due and the reason for 
the reclamation. 
Presenting Bank  
As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, a presenting bank which, either directly or 
through a corresponding banking relationship, is the financial institution that 
presents checks to a Federal Reserve Bank and receives provisional credit 
from the Federal Reserve for the check payment;  
Or 
A depositary which is authorized to charge checks directly to Treasury's 
General Account and present them to the Department of the Treasury for 
payment through a designated Federal Reserve Bank. 
Protest 
A protest is a written statement to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service requesting 
a review of its decision that the financial institution is liable for a check 
reclamation. It raises a valid legal or factual question and includes any 
supporting documentation which proves the financial institution is not liable. 
 

PDF page 26

 
 
 26 
 9. Glossary 
 
Gold Book 
Reclamation 
As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, a reclamation is a demand for the 
amount of a check for which Treasury has requested an immediate refund. 
Reclamation Date 
As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, the reclamation date is the date on which 
a reclamation is issued by Treasury. Normally, demands are sent to 
presenting banks or other endorsers within two business days of the 
reclamation date. 
Summary of Debt Statement 
A Summary of Debt Statement is a follow-up statement sent to the 
presenting bank consisting of a detailed listing of outstanding reclamation 
debts and associated information, the applicable Fiscal Service collection 
regulations, and an explanation of the columns on the Summary of Debt 
Statement.