Your own cheque bounced? What happens next, and what to do

A cheque you wrote came back unpaid — maybe the balance fell short, maybe there was a mix-up — and now you're worried about how serious this is. It can be serious, but there's usually a clear window to fix it before it becomes a real problem, and most bounced cheques are settled long before any court is involved.

What you might be facing

A bounced cheque for a genuine debt can lead to a case against you under the cheque-bounce law, which carries real consequences. But that road only opens after some clear steps — and each of them is a chance to close the matter.

The window that matters

1. If it was a genuine shortfall or error, sort it fast. Paying the amount promptly, before things escalate, is by far the simplest outcome.
2. Watch for a demand notice. If the other side sends one, you typically have 15 days from receiving it to pay. Paying within that window usually stops a case from being filed at all.
3. Keep proof of payment — the transfer, a receipt, a written confirmation.

When it's more than a shortfall

If you dispute the debt itself — you don't actually owe it, or the cheque was misused — that's a different situation, and it's worth getting proper advice rather than ignoring the notice. Silence is the one response that tends to make things worse. If a case has already been filed, speak to a lawyer rather than facing it alone.

Not sure how exposed you are, or how to respond to a notice you've received? Tell Miss Lucy Lite what's happened and she'll help you understand your position.