As a rule of thumb, No. However, if you were to write checks that cannot be covered by the balance in your checking account, and then the checks go unpaid, then you would be what is considered as "bouncing checks". The Feds go to great lengths to prosecute people who write bad checks. Criminal charges in relation to writing bad checks usually is at minimum a felony. Most banks offer a grace program if you live from payday to payday, and have decent credit. It's called an "Overdraft Protection" program where if you have exceeded the funds in your account, the bank will cover the amount of the check (if not too significant) without charging you those outrageous fees. On a per check or per charge basis when you exceed the amount of funds on a transaction, the penalty fee can be anywhere from $20.00 to $35.00.