§ 3408 Check Not Funds Assignment

• •Writing a check doesn't automatically take money from your account.
• •The bank doesn't have to pay the check until they agree to it.
• •The person who wrote the check is responsible until the bank says 'okay'.

You write a check to your friend for $50 to buy their old bike.

Your friend can't take the money from your account just because you gave them the check. The bank has to say 'yes' first. Until then, it's just a piece of paper, and you still owe the money.