# Bounced Check

*Everyday Money — Finicade finance glossary*

A check or payment bounces when your account lacks the funds to cover it, so the bank returns it unpaid. You typically pay an NSF fee, the payee often charges a returned-payment fee too, and repeat incidents can get your account closed and reported to a banking database that makes opening a new one difficult. Overdraft protection converts the bounce into a fee-bearing overdraft instead — usually cheaper than the double fee, but easy to lean on until it becomes an expensive habit.

**Also known as:** NSF, non-sufficient funds, returned payment, bounced payment

**Related terms:** [Overdraft](https://finicade.com/glossary/overdraft), [Checking Account](https://finicade.com/glossary/checking-account), [Credit Score](https://finicade.com/glossary/credit-score), [Autopay](https://finicade.com/glossary/autopay)

Source: https://finicade.com/glossary/bounced-check