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Bounced check?

Submitted by bea2ls on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 13:28
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Ok, I have a question - I hope this doesn't happen but I want to be prepared. I ran into money problems- lots of them - but luckily, I seem to be getting better. I have paid my late rent, got caught up on my car payment, etc. However, I sent one bill out too soon.. as in it might bounce. I live in NJ and bank with Commerce, if this helps. I am trying everything I can to get money in there but am scared I'm going to be too late (as in I won't have money until i get paid in two weeks!) What would happen? I actually never wrote a bad check before.. I have several outstanding checks out and if they all go through together, at least one will bounce.. What is going to happen? I had bank problems with payday loans before and ended up owing a bank $300 but I paid them off and that worked out ok. `But i was never in a position like this before.
Ugh! I feel so stupid - it seems like whenever I get a little ahead, i have to go three steps back


my main concern is being reported to chex systems. this would be so crazy! i don't exactly trust the bank too, too much since i did lose a few hundred on payday loans due to their oversight. also, as i said the branch dealing with this is well over an hour away. :/
It's crazy because this is the only time i ever bounced anything ever! my main fear is they will report me to chex systems..


Submitted by bea2ls on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 08:04

bea2ls

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well, i talked to my bank again and was promised nothing will be reported and it will be fine. what made me nervous though was the manager on duty said they don't report amounts like this for 2 -3 months. he also said that the other manager likes to tell people to pay right away but you really don't have to. NOW, if he didn't say all that, i'd feel better. because now, it's like who knows?? anyway, i'm going to pay ASAP (on payday at the latest) and swear i'm not going to be able to relax until than! :(


Submitted by bea2ls on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:29

bea2ls

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Thanks so much for your help! To be honest, I used to be one of those people until I found this board. I was scared to talk to banks, creditors, anyone I owed money to. I felt ashamed that I had money problems. But this board taught me that the best way to fix things is to face them. This was a huge hassel but it's going to be okay. The store even said I will be able to write checks again once I pay them. I'll pass on that, lol, but at least it's nothing permanate on their end neither. Believe me, I have learned that cash is best.. I even starting paying my utility bills in person in cash. For me, for now, it's best.


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 06:09

bea2ls

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I have another question. Things happened, I missed an entire paycheck to being sick. My account is now -$175.68. I got a paycheck today but rent is paid and my car insurance will cancel me if I do not pay by midnight tonight (i also have a parking ticket that must be paid, too). I told the bank before I knew I was gonna miss that check that I could bring it up to date today. I also told that store I owe that I can pay them the balance today. (They threatened legal action - nothing specific, legal action. Thanks to their $100 in fees, I owe them $228 now and they will not except anything less than $228, they also think I'm going to pay them today). I made these arrangements thinking I would pay rent last pay. My rent was a couple of weeks late last month and my landlord is already sweating me for the $35 late fee.. I owe him the rent on Thursday, the 9th (thats the last day it can be paid). What should I do?
Seriously, can/will the bank wait any longer? What about the checks? It was at a Giant food store in PA (their headquaters are in MA) and I live in NJ. I don't want to get in any trouble for writing bad checks, and I want to make good. I also want my account back in good standing. What are the consquences of letting this wait any longer? My account was backed to good standing but without that check, it crept back into the negative this month. I feel like such a loser about now, I went from never bouncing anything to this whole mess.


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 05:55

bea2ls

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I'm sorry your having such a hard time. I'm not sure how to solve this, but one thing I can sugguest is get rid of your checks...use only your debit card/money orders. I had similar problems once I got it cleaned up, we swore off checks. I have a checking account, but I have no checks. This way I have zero chance of bouncing anything. Hang in there, you know our guru's will be along shortly to help you out. Reny


Submitted by lmale on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 06:01

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Thanks, trust me, I already swore off checks for good. In fact, I actually swore off debit cards, too, because my sister got a pretty nasty case of idenity theft where someone tried to buy an airplane hanger with her bank card. They got her info when she swiped it for gas. I have been strictly cash and money orders when needed but I like to have an account for direct deposit, etc. I just want this fixed!


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 06:06

bea2ls

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My game plans seems to be paying the bank and the checks tonight. I want this over with and I do not want trouble. I have a full week to get rent together and I must pay the insurance and parking ticket anyway. Do you think it's worth it? Like do you think it's worth risking rent payment to get the bank and checks paid? Which do you think will have worse consequences? I want the bank paid because it's been so long and they accepted today. Should I just pay and not push it?
I'm really not trying to get away without paying anything. I have been working with them and making payments. It's just a really hard time for me right now.


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 07:49

bea2ls

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Call your insurance agent right now and find out if you have any more time. The date/time on the bill is not REALLY the last possible date and time to pay. Normally there is a grace period unless you are already a month behind. If not, ask if you can lower your coverage / raise your deductible. Our company offers a "Special Pay Plan" to our clients if they have been with us for at least a year and have had a good payment history in the past. But the client has to ask for it, we don't just go calling people asking if they need it.

If you are trying to avoid long term problems with your bank, I would think that you should get yourself straight with the bank first, then hussle up some overtime or figure out another way to get your rent paid as on time as possible.

Hope you are feeling better, and hopefully you won't need any more sick time off. I can't remember the last time I was home sick from work (15 years I think) and I hope to keep it that way!


Submitted by smo65d11 on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 08:15

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Thanks, I hate taking time off of work! It's not even just the money, it also like ruins my whole routine, and stresses me out because I envisioned the work piling up on my desk. To be honest, I don't know what my landlord will do. I was late last month though and like I said, he's bugging me for the $35 late payment on that. I was also late before in the past and am trying hard not to repeat that. But I do have a whole week still? Sadly, my insurance is already late by about a month. This is my last to final payment. After one payment after this, I do not have to pay again until 2009. I really would like to get that straightened and ironically, that's my smallest bill anyway (besides the parking ticket, which I can def. handle). I'm a little scared to let the bad checks and the bank go longer.. I do not want this to balloon any further, so I just feel stuck.


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 08:39

bea2ls

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Thanks, I will make calls. If all else fails, I really can probably handle the ticket, rent and car insurance. I just am scared to push the bank and the store any further. it's been so long, I'm scared they will pursue legally against me, and i love my bank and don't want my account closed or to be reported to chex systems.


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 10:18

bea2ls

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How long do you think it will take them to proceed with legal action? What does that even mean for a bad check? What will happen? The store said I could pay down on it but corporate won't let me (I kinda wish I just put a partial payment in the mail!) What am I facing with that and with my bank? This has been going on since August for the checks and my account has been in the negative at my bank since Sept. 4. I felt lucky, to be honest, that they would let me pay today even. I don't know what to do, I gotta pay my rent somehow though. The parking ticket was given by a cop, I could perhaps go to court and make arrangements but that would miss work and lose more money, i don't know if i can even get off of work to be honest. I'm really scared, I do feel hopeful though. I just don't know which direction i should go in with this.


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 10:36

bea2ls

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I am thinking twice, this is why I am so confused about what to do. I know they have been patient - the bank has been over-drawn for almost a month. I have brought it back to positive several times but i really want it cleared. i just gotta make the rent! i do have a whole week, i'm just really confused.. i prefer to pay as many bills as i can, as i do have bills besides these!


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 12:15

bea2ls

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IRight now I am leaning towards using my pay to pay insurance, ticket, bank and the store. i know how important rent is but to be honest, if i need to raise money for rent, i'd be motivated to do so and think i can do it. i just dont see myself having that motivation to pay the bank. (i'm talking 18 - 20 hours of working a day here). I know that sounded bad, lol, but i just want to make sure everything gets paid. I hate being behind with bills and money. I do work very hard and i would like to see a better life come out of it.


Submitted by bea2ls on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 13:05

bea2ls

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Thanks, I ended up paying insurance, the store, my bank and I will pay my ticket. I still have until Thursday to pay my landlord and am pretty sure I can do it. Also, I was rereading the lease and the grace period states buisness days (no holidays, no weekends - it states that) but I was paying late fees for months when I was still within that and he counted weekends, holidays. I'm not gonna be petty, I actually like him, I'm saying I now know this and it actually will give me a bit of extra time. But rent is important (actually, so is electricty - another I must pay!) and I know I will get it done. I must say, it felt great to end the saga with the bank. I was running late because I worked both jobs so I just deposited the money. I'm going in person tonight or tommorow morning to get the freeze off the account (it was frozen to debit-only). Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm a little scared with rent unpaid but the store was threatening legal action - something I know will cost me more in the end.


Submitted by on Fri, 10/03/2008 - 05:51

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Thanks, I ended up paying insurance, the store, my bank and I will pay my ticket. I still have until Thursday to pay my landlord and am pretty sure I can do it. Also, I was rereading the lease and the grace period states buisness days (no holidays, no weekends - it states that) but I was paying late fees for months when I was still within that and he counted weekends, holidays. I'm not gonna be petty, I actually like him, I'm saying I now know this and it actually will give me a bit of extra time. But rent is important (actually, so is electricty - another I must pay!) and I know I will get it done. I must say, it felt great to end the saga with the bank. I was running late because I worked both jobs so I just deposited the money. I'm going in person tonight or tommorow morning to get the freeze off the account (it was frozen to debit-only). Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm a little scared with rent unpaid but the store was threatening legal action - something I know will cost me more in the end.


Submitted by bea2ls on Fri, 10/03/2008 - 05:52

bea2ls

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well good luck with your landlord, maybe you should ask him to clarify your contract (see him in person and have the contract there) and say you were confused and wanted to make sure you were reading it right. Make him explain to you, in his words, compare them right there and then to the contract, and point out any discrepancy. BUT I'll point out that, as a landlord myself (and only until I can sell the damn thing), the mortgage company does not count "business days" so if I am 10 days (days period, not business days) late with them, I owe the late fees to them.


Submitted by smo65d11 on Fri, 10/03/2008 - 07:00

smo65d11

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Thanks, I actually managed to pay everything off (i'll explain on the budget, additional income board). I know the landlord probably has to have his own schedule (he bought his properties outright, but i'm sure he has other stuff to pay) and I actually wanted to point it out for his benefit because i know other tenants might stick to the contract. I really don't want to mess him up in any way, though. But everything is done! :)


Submitted by bea2ls on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 07:23

bea2ls

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I didn????????t mention it, the apartment above mine has a leaking pipe and he has to come over on Thursday to fix it (which means me missing time from work to make arrangements for the dog (work is going to kill me but I need a couple of hours off to take the dog outside than put him in his crate and kinda prove that he????????s okay in his crate while the landlord tears out my wall). I might mention it than, though.


Submitted by bea2ls on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 09:41

bea2ls

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Can't you find someone else who could deal with the dog for the day? Missing a week from work, and then missing the half- day to do the housepainting last week, and now missing another (roughly) 1/2 day to deal with this ... you might be setting yourself up to getting pink-slipped or canned if you aren't careful! Which would NOT be a good thing to helping you with your finances! Just think about it before you do it. Maybe you could fit your crate into your car and bring the dog to work with you (assuming it isn't hot outside obviously)


Submitted by smo65d11 on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 10:55

smo65d11

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well the half-day i missed that week to do the painting was another job.. i'm not at risk for being fired, but thats to the concern :)
I wish I could bring my dog with me! but i work at the courthouse, so that's not really gonna happen :(
it did all work out, though. my landlord is unreal, gives me less than a days notice sometimes!! I left him in the crate when the landlord came over but had to miss time for when it was sprayed.


Submitted by bea2ls on Fri, 10/17/2008 - 12:31

bea2ls

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I wrote a check to Krogers grocery store in December for $50. They have redeposited the check to my account on eight different occasion. How many times can a vendor deposit a check to your account legally?


Submitted by on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 05:58

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ok I have never had a bad check. but I really got into the whole this time big time. my rent check has came back . I get pd tomorrow but another check came thru for me to take a test to get another job with nursing. I did what I thought was best . I have been trying to get threw nursing school and pay bills but it has been so hard i withdrew with only 2 classes left cause driving 1 hour 5 days a week. I just didn't have the money so i deciced to challenge the cna test to make a little better money with also the job i do of taking care of mentallly handicap adults. So i am overdrafted with the rent and this test and have to take test tomorrow it just went threw tonite. What will they do? I had to have the money before taking the test. and I dunno if they will let me take it or when they get it back will i be able to have my cna?


Submitted by on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 19:28

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How about this situation? My rent check bounced because a transfer from another account didn't get there in time. Fine. We paid the fee and they returned the check. Fine. We made the check good with a certified check, after being assured it wouldn't be presented twice. Guess what? Three weeks later, they presented it again, and this time the bank paid it. Now I have fees in the amount of $99 (two other checks were paid the same day), PLUS they have collected twice on the same debt!!!! Any suggestions regarding this??????


Submitted by on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 21:28

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