Note: this calculator provides a general, informational estimate only — not legal advice and not a prediction of what a court would actually award in your specific situation.
What This Calculator Actually Does
A bounced, or NSF ("non-sufficient funds"), cheque usually leaves you out more than just the original amount you were owed — your own bank may have charged you a fee for the failed deposit on top of it. This calculator brings those pieces together, giving you a general estimate of what a bounced-cheque claim might realistically be worth once the original debt, any NSF fees, and interest are all accounted for. For the broader legal framework these claims generally fall under, see debt collection disputes and unpaid invoices and unpaid loans.
What You'll Need to Use It
- The original amount of the cheque that bounced.
- Any NSF or bank fees you were charged as a direct result.
- The date the cheque was written or deposited, and the date it bounced.
- An estimate of interest, if the amount has been outstanding for a while — see the prejudgment interest calculator for a fuller estimate on that piece specifically.
What You Can Actually Claim
A bounced-cheque claim generally has up to three components:
- The original amount owed — the face value of the cheque itself, which is still money you're owed regardless of why it wasn't honoured.
- NSF fees you were charged — most banks charge a fee when a deposited cheque is returned, and this fee is a real, documentable cost that flowed directly from the other party's bounced cheque.
- Interest — the longer the amount has gone unpaid, the more interest may have accrued, separate from the principal amount.
Keep these pieces separate and clearly documented rather than lumping them into one round number — a court, and the other side, will find a precise, itemized claim far easier to evaluate.
Evidence to Gather
Hold onto the original cheque itself, along with your bank's NSF notice, if you still have either — don't discard them once the immediate frustration passes. Together, they're usually the core evidence establishing both what was owed and the fee it triggered. Bank statements showing the NSF charge, and any correspondence with the person who wrote the cheque, round out a strong claim. See proving your case for the general principles behind gathering and presenting this kind of evidence.
Sending a Demand Letter First
Before filing, it's usually worth sending a clear, documented demand for the outstanding amount, including any NSF fees — many bounced-cheque disputes resolve once the other side sees the matter is being taken seriously. See the demand letter builder for a structured way to put one together.
What to Do With the Result
Once you have an estimate that reflects the original amount, any NSF fees, and interest, weigh it against the effort of pursuing a claim. If it still makes sense to move forward, starting a claim covers the full process, from a demand letter through filing.
Official sources
- ontario.ca: Suing Someone in Small Claims Court — the official overview, including the current monetary limit.
- Guide to Small Claims Court Process — the official step-by-step process guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes — it's provided as a free informational tool, with no account or payment required.
Can I claim the NSF fee my bank charged me, on top of the original amount?
Generally, yes — if you can document that the fee was a direct result of the bounced cheque, it's reasonable to include it alongside the original amount owed.
Do I need the original cheque as evidence?
Yes, along with your bank's NSF notice, if you still have them — don't discard either, since together they're often the core evidence in this kind of claim.
What if the person who wrote the cheque claims it was a mistake?
A genuine banking error doesn't necessarily erase the underlying debt — you may still be able to claim the original amount owed even if the NSF fee itself is disputed.