I use checks if it will save me more than a few dollars on credit card fees. Probably saved a couple hundred last year.

^ I have not purchased a car recently, but would probably use a cashier's check or a direct electronic transfer if they would allow that. With a car I feel like you have time to work that out.

Do not send a check through the mail. I'm not 100% sure, but think this is how my account information was stolen. They do not need to "wash a check". As long as they have your account number, they will obtain false ID and walk into your bank to take out money. Ask me how I know. There is a big market for false IDs and the criminals know exactly how/what to counterfeit. They will use a branch of your bank that is not near your home so it is less likely that you go there.

Make sure that your bank or credit union has a recent picture of you on file (through your drivers license).

I never use checks anymore. If a contractor does not allow plastic, I ask for the amount and go get a cashier's check from my bank. They will understand. At a restaurant I use cash if the policy is no plastic. If online (taxes, etc.) I am fine with using electronic transfer.

Anonymous wrote:How are you people buying cars without checks? We just bought a car and the dealership would only put $2000 on our credit card. They wanted a check for the rest.

We wired the money from our money market.

Some places won’t take cash, some won’t take cards, some only checks.

Like everyone said a check book comes with a checking account. I use it sometimes.

I started carrying a checkbook again to avoid paying the processing fees. I had to teach my adult kids how to write a check.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but I don’t use them anymore. A check I wrote out to pay for plumbing services was counterfeited about 8 months later, and scammers tried to withdrew thousands of dollars from my account. I was lucky the bank reimbursed me, but there were several attempts involving the altered check. I no longer pay with checks.

You need to use this pen:

https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Medium-Uni-Ball-Nursing-Business/dp/B000FDR47E/

Other inks are easily "washed" enabling the check to be re-used.

Combine that with a check w/ built-in security features effectively eliminates this type of fraud; see:

https://www.ordermychecks.com/caccp/productview.jsp?productId=prod2790149&src=prodlist

even if your check falls into the hands of the "bad guys" they won't even bother and quickly move on to an easier target -- ie, "you don't need to out run the bear, you just need to be faster than the person you're with"

Given mobile deposit, photoshop, etc. the type of ink is irrelevant

The pen/ink is important because checks stolen in the mail (a common occursnce) are washed and rewritten to be to other people and for large amounts. If you use a pen with ink that cannot be washed, you are protected

Anonymous wrote:Anyone giving discounts or requiring checks are scammy, shady or their business is not going to survive

Tell that to the tradespeople. They are all very much in demand, PP.

How are you people buying cars without checks? We just bought a car and the dealership would only put $2000 on our credit card. They wanted a check for the rest.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, because now they have added fees on credit card transactions. Also i don’t want to send my debit card info if I get a bill and can’t pay online for some reason. And I use them for special occasion gifts where I can see if it’s been cashed. Granted these are examples are uncommon.

The fees are not new, LOL! They have always been there. It's just that more companies are starting to pass those fees along to the consumer instead of absorbing them like they used to.

Yes of course, a lot of people prefer checks - especially people in service industries like landscaping, home repairs, etc. This allows them to avoid processing fees charged by credit cards. Even Venmo takes out a processing fee for businesses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but I don’t use them anymore. A check I wrote out to pay for plumbing services was counterfeited about 8 months later, and scammers tried to withdrew thousands of dollars from my account. I was lucky the bank reimbursed me, but there were several attempts involving the altered check. I no longer pay with checks.

You need to use this pen:

https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Medium-Uni-Ball-Nursing-Business/dp/B000FDR47E/

Other inks are easily "washed" enabling the check to be re-used.

Combine that with a check w/ built-in security features effectively eliminates this type of fraud; see:

https://www.ordermychecks.com/caccp/productview.jsp?productId=prod2790149&src=prodlist

even if your check falls into the hands of the "bad guys" they won't even bother and quickly move on to an easier target -- ie, "you don't need to out run the bear, you just need to be faster than the person you're with"

Given mobile deposit, photoshop, etc. the type of ink is irrelevant

My sister pays all her bills with checks by mail, including her mortgage and credit cards. She doesn’t do online banking, instead she calls the banks automated phone line and punches in the check numbers to make sure they clear. She calls from her land line phone.

Her stories of lost mailed payments and late payment fees are hilarious. One time none of her mailed monthly bills never arrived and she accused the post office of losing them. She found all of them weeks later in her car, she forgot to mail them.

Anonymous wrote:I encountered a small business that only accepts checks and money orders. No credit cards, debit cards, Venmo, PayPal etc. I literally do not have a checkbook any more. They looked at me like I had four eyes. Am I the only one that doesn’t use checks anymore?

Cash is king.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but I don’t use them anymore. A check I wrote out to pay for plumbing services was counterfeited about 8 months later, and scammers tried to withdrew thousands of dollars from my account. I was lucky the bank reimbursed me, but there were several attempts involving the altered check. I no longer pay with checks.

You need to use this pen:

https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Medium-Uni-Ball-Nursing-Business/dp/B000FDR47E/

Other inks are easily "washed" enabling the check to be re-used.

Combine that with a check w/ built-in security features effectively eliminates this type of fraud; see:

https://www.ordermychecks.com/caccp/productview.jsp?productId=prod2790149&src=prodlist

even if your check falls into the hands of the "bad guys" they won't even bother and quickly move on to an easier target -- ie, "you don't need to out run the bear, you just need to be faster than the person you're with"

Thank you for the tip about the pens!