If you tend to bounce checks, you can avoid this hassle by signing up for overdraft protection. You'll need another account with the bank like a savings account, a credit card or a home equity line of credit. If you overdraw your checking account, the bank will pay the check and take the money from one of your other accounts. As long as you have funds in one of the other accounts to cover the check, the bank guarantees the check will be paid. You'll be charged a fee but it will be far less than an NSF fee. Plus, since your check won't bounce you won't get socked with a bounced-check charge from the business that received the check.