I just recently made my first car payment and I didn't have any funds in my checking account when the check was processed at the bank, so of course I was charged a fee, but it states that the check was "returned" (name of bank omitted for publication). I assume the car payment wasn't made. I wanted to make sure, so I called the bank and the automated service said that the payment was made. I'm confused. Was the payment made or not?
You're right to assume that the payment was not made. It's not unusual for there to be some delay between the time a check is dishonored or bounced by your bank and the time that it is charged back to a loanaccount elsewhere.
Once the check gets back to your lender, it might get charged back to your loan account. Then the lender would probably contact you and ask for a new check. The lender might refuse to take a personal check at that time.
On the other hand, the lender might try to collect on the check a second time, either by redepositing it or, if it has provided you the appropriate disclosures, converting the check into an electronic charge against your account. Your lender may also have a contractual right to assess a bounced check fee, which could also be collected electronically, if disclosures were made properly.
Keep your eye on your bank account to see if the check is re-presented in one of those ways, and if there is a fee charged, as well. If you wait a couple of days and contact the lending bank again, you may learn more about how the bounced check was handled. If the automated system isn't helpful, speak to an individual who can look up the information.
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You're right to assume that the payment was not made. It's not unusual for there to be some delay between the time a check is dishonored or bounced by your bank and the time that it is charged back to a 