What does bouncing a check mean?

Bouncing a check means that a check you’ve written is not honored by your bank when presented for payment. The term “bounce” stems from the bank or credit union that originally received the check returning that check, as the check writer (i.e., account holder) doesn’t have the funds to cover the check amount.

What is a bounce cheque?

In such a case, the cheque bounces and is called a ‘bounce cheque’. A cheque can be bounced for a host of reasons. The most common reason is that the payer did not have sufficient balance in their savings account at the time the cheque was presented for payment. This is known as a ‘bounce due to insufficient funds’.

Why does my check bounce?

Here are a few of the most common reasons why checks bounce: The person may have written the check incorrectly by putting the wrong date or writing out the wrong check amount. There aren't enough funds in a bank account to cover the amount listed. A check might also bounce if the payee holds onto it for too long.

How do I know if a check has bounced?

You might not be directly notified if you deposit or write a check that bounces. If you deposited the check, you can track your account balance to see whether the funds are added. If funds aren't added within a few days, the check likely bounced. If you wrote the check, then you might have to check with the entity that received the check.