what is a bounced check 
a bounced check is slang for a check that cannot be processed because the account holder has non sufficient funds nsf available for use banks return or bounce these checks also known as rubber checks rather than honor them and banks charge the check writers nsf fees passing bad checks can be illegal and the crime can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the amount of the check and whether the activity involved crossing state lines 1understanding a bounced checkmany times bad checks are written inadvertently by people who simply are unaware that their bank balances are too low to avoid bouncing checks some consumers use overdraft protection or attach a line of credit to their checking accounts a bounced check may result in overdraft fees restrictions on writing additional checks and negative impacts to your credit score writing too many bounced checks may also prevent you from paying merchants by check in the future many merchants use a verification system called telecheck to help them determine if a customer s check is good if this system connects the check you ve just presented for payment to a history of unpaid checks the merchant will decline your check and ask you for a different form of payment 2