Your own cheque bounced? The 15 days that decide the case
A cheque you wrote has come back unpaid. Maybe the balance was short, maybe there was a mix-up, and now you are worried about how serious this is. It can be serious, but there is usually a clear window to fix it before it becomes a real problem. Most bounced cheques are settled long before any court is involved.
What a bounced cheque can lead to
A bounced cheque for a genuine debt can lead to a case against you under the cheque bounce law, and that carries real consequences. But that only starts after some clear steps, and each of those steps is a chance to close the matter.
What to do, and how much time you have
- If it was a genuine shortfall or a mistake, fix it fast. Paying the amount quickly, before things go further, is by far the simplest outcome.
- Watch for a demand notice. If the other side sends one, you usually have 15 days from receiving it to pay. Paying within that window usually stops a case from being filed at all.
- Keep proof of payment: the transfer, a receipt, or a written confirmation.
If you dispute the debt itself
If you dispute the debt itself, because you do not owe it or the cheque was misused, that is a different situation. Get proper advice rather than ignoring the notice. Staying silent is the one response that makes things worse. If a case has already been filed, speak to a lawyer rather than handling it alone.
Not sure how exposed you are, or how to reply to a notice you have received? Tell Miss Lucy Lite what has happened and she will explain your position.
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