What to do if you Bounce a Check - Washington LawHelp

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your check must follow when your check bounces.  You will see citations ... You now also owe a returned check fee. After your bank sends the Notice of.
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If Your Check Bounces What is a bounced check?

What happens next?

A “bounced” or dishonored check is one you write but cannot pay for, usually because there is not enough in your bank account to cover it. Writing bad checks is a crime in Washington. RCW 9A.56.060.

The bank is no longer involved. The law says how the merchant/debt collection agency must try to collect from you: 

Up to thirty-two days after sending the Notice of Dishonor, you can settle by paying them the check amount, a handling fee, a 12% annual interest fee built up since they sent the Notice, and the lesser of the check amount OR $40. RCW 62A.3-515(1).



Thirty-three days after sending the Notice of Dishonor, if you have not settled the matter, they can sue you. A court could find you responsible for the check amount, any court costs, service costs, attorney fees, collection costs, interest, and the lesser of three times the check amount OR $300. RCW 62A.3-530(1).

State law has procedures you and the party trying to collect on your check must follow when your check bounces.  Citations like “RCW 9A.56.060” can help you look up the law at the local law library or online at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default .aspx.

How does a check bounce? You give a merchant a check to pay for something. The merchant sends your check to the bank to collect the money. If there is not enough in your account to cover the check, the bank will dishonor (not pay) the merchant for your check. Your check has “bounced.”

They sued me. Can I still settle? Maybe, before trial. If you can afford it, offer to pay court costs, service costs, reasonable handling fees, attorneys’ fees, interest, and the check amount OR $40 (whichever is less). They must take your payment as full satisfaction and dismiss the case. RCW 62A.3-515(1).

How do I find out I bounced a check? Your bank returns the check to the merchant. The bank or a collection agency sends you a “Notice of Dishonor.” (RCW 62A.3-503.) It says you now owe the merchant the check amount AND a returned check fee.

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What if the collection agency does not follow the law?

They may contact you to say they will no longer try to collect, there are things they can now do to solve the problem, or they are taking specific actions against you to collect the debt (example: suing you).

They are breaking the law if they demand 

Higher interest or collection fees than described above.



Any interest, collection fees, or attorney fees sooner than fifteen days after sending you the Notice of Dishonor.



Attorney fees higher than those set by the court.



Threaten you with arrest for not paying.



Call you at work if they know it is inconvenient.

Under federal and state law (RCW 19.16.250), a debt collector cannot:

You will then owe only the check amount and a reasonable handling fee. RCW 62A.3-525.



Claim to be someone s/he is not – like law enforcement, a government representative, or a lawyer.



Threaten to do things s/he cannot – like taking your house, or threatening to hurt your credit rating.

How else does the law protect me? Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 1692, a debt collector who is trying to collect from you may not 

Contact you after getting notice that you have a lawyer.



While trying to find you, tell people you know that they are with a debt collection agency (unless specifically asked) or that you owe a debt. They must identify themselves and say only that they are trying to find you.





Under Washington law, a debt collector may not call you: 

Before 7:30 a.m. or after 9 p.m.



At home more than three times a week.



At work more than once a week.

You may have a claim against a debt collector who breaks any of these rules.

What if I need legal help?

Talk about the case to anyone not directly connected with it. They cannot tell your employer/relatives/friends you owe a debt. They can talk to your spouse or parents (if you are a minor). Contact you again, after you wrote them that you would not pay the debt or want them to stop contacting you.



Apply online with CLEAR*Online - https://nwjustice.org/get-legal-help or



Call CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014

CLEAR is Washington’s toll-free, centralized intake, advice and referral service for low2

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income people seeking free legal assistance with civil legal problems. 



Outside King County: Call 1-888-2011014 weekdays from 9:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

Persons 60 and Over: Persons 60 or over may call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-3877111, regardless of income.

Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired callers can call CLEAR or 211 using the relay service of their choice.

King County: Call 211 for information and referral to an appropriate legal services provider Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. You may also call (206) 461-3200, or the toll-free number, 1-877-211-WASH (9274). You can also get information on legal service providers in King County through 211’s website at www.resourcehouse.com/win211/.

211 and CLEAR will conference in interpreters when needed at no cost to callers. Free legal education publications, videos and self-help packets covering many legal issues are available at www.washingtonlawhelp.org.

This publication provides general information concerning your rights and responsibilities. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice. This information is current as of June 2017. © 2017 Northwest Justice Project — 1-888-201-1014. (Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and to individuals for noncommercial purposes only.)

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