Paid in bounced checks... Anyone ever get missed payments back?

[Steve Candor]

Tenant lived in my friends brownstone here in NYC and rented the upstairs apartment for $2000/month.

Tenant is late on payment and then says sorry, I just need another week. And plays this game for a while. Finally gives my landlord friend a check that proceeds to bounce. Apologizes profusely... and then next month gives another check that bounces.

After two months, finally vacates the property without saying anything. Landlord has his social security number. And proof of two bounced checks. No leases. Doesn't know where he moved to.

Has anyone gotten money back from such a tenant? He owes $4,000. He had no security deposit.