Criminal action

This is scary, I am piggybacking off another topic, I am wondering what "criminal"action is

# Some state payday loan laws place borrowers at legal risk if they stop payment on the check used to get the loan or close the bank account or both, regardless of the reason.

Alabama and Alaska allow payday lenders to take criminal action for failure to make good on the cold check used to secure the loan if the check was returned due to a closed bank account.

Consumers can get in trouble if their bank account is closed before the loan is due in Colorado and Wyoming, or if the account was closed at the time the loan was made in North Dakota.

Hawaii and Missouri expose borrowers to criminal sanctions if the check was returned due to a closed account or stop-payment by the consumer.

Mississippi permits lenders to use criminal action if the check used to get the loan bounces when deposited.

In Arkansas, it is a crime to both stop payment on a check and close the account.

Utah's payday loan law permits lenders to sue for treble damages if borrowers can't make good on the check used to get the loan. Utah lenders are not permitted to threaten criminal prosecution.