What to Do If Your Check Is Bounced

If your check bounced, contact the individual who issued the invalid check and ask for the money you are entitled. If you get a bounced check, follow these instructions.

A bounced check may happen to anyone—in fact, whenever someone writes you a check, you may be at danger, and not receiving the money may be the least of your concerns. Many individuals are unsure what to do if they are issued a bounced check, and they are unlikely to learn about it until after they have deposited it. It usually takes a few weeks for your bank to notify you that a check has bounced. Most banks will send you a letter with the check number and charge you a fee (varying from $5 to $35).

Because it takes the bank a few weeks to notify you that a freshly cashed check has bounced, you may have already spent the money, making you entirely accountable for it. This may put you in the red, enabling the bank to charge you another overdraft fee.

If your bank has notified you of a bad check, you must first contact the individual who provided you the bad check. It is advised that you phone them and send them a letter outlining the circumstance. On the phone, you must be polite but forceful; you cannot allow the individual explain away the bounced check. You must indicate how much money is owed, when you need the payment by, who wrote the check, and the name of their bank in the letter, or Bad Check Notice. It is your responsibility to contact the individual (and possibly their bank) to ensure that he or she gets your notification of a bad check. This note may be difficult to write at times, but it must be made in line with your specific circumstance.