Who Is Still Writing Checks

[rk911]

The referenced article was in our local paper today and concerns how payment methods have changed over the years.

https://edition.pagesuite.com/popove...b2156&pnum=72#

[badatmath]

I write them every month for bills. Generally 4-6. Things that charge fees for using a credit card, like utilities. (Yes I know I could do something else thanks). If they take credit for free I use that.

[disneysteve]

I write a couple a month for things where there’s a hefty fee for electronic payment.

[jebmke]

I rarely use our checkbook but most of our billpay transactions are checks generated by the bank. The US banking system is way behind.

Most of our expenses either go on a credit card or are direct debit though.

Recently we have had two bank-issued checks to payees simply disappear. It would be helpful if the check system simply went away over some scheduled period of time.

[OnFire]

I don't write checks regularly for anything. If the fee to use a credit card is greater than the CC rewards, then I use billpay or the option to directly debit our checking account (if available).

[latexman]

I’ve wrote 9 checks the last 6 months, so 1-2 per month. Most bills are paid using my CU’s BillPay.

[OldShooter]

I buy from a small specialist wine shop and I write him checks to save him the credit card fees. I also write checks, twice a year, for property taxes in the rural county where our lake place is located. Our city house's county takes their taxes automatically via ACH.

[AudiDudi]

Maybe 15-20 checks per year for things that do not take online payments like heating oil delivery and for gifts.

[badatmath]

Not to derail this but my CU sent out a reminder not to use pay apps to pay businesses - only family/friends. I wasn't entirely sure why but as I wasn't doing it I didn't give it much thought. It was part of an "avoid scams" notice.

[Sunset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by badatmath Not to derail this but my CU sent out a reminder not to use pay apps to pay businesses - only family/friends. I wasn't entirely sure why but as I wasn't doing it I didn't give it much thought. It was part of an "avoid scams" notice.

It's because most folks don't know the legitimate email/phone number of a business to pay it.
So great opportunity for a scammer to tell folks to pay xxx-xxx-xxxx knowing a few will fall for it.

I have started to pay my lawn service via Zelle , but right on their bill they say can pay by check or Zelle and give their phone number to use.

[jebmke]

these seem to becoming commonplace recently

Quote:

A former U.S. Postal Service worker has been arrested and charged with mail theft and bank fraud after allegedly stealing checks out of the mail worth a total of almost $1.7 million, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

[Sunset]

Now that I don't pay my lawn service with checks, there is nothing for me to pay via check.
Everything is electronic, except maybe Wedding/Birthday gifts.

[pacergal]

Use electronic bill pay for monthly bills, or ACH.
Write checks for charity and taxes, and occasionally gifts to kids.

[Midpack]

We write checks as infrequently as possible - we've written four YTD. We've used autopay or online payment for everything possible for more than 10 years, and credit cards/Apple Pay day to day.

[scrabbler1]

I wrote 10 checks in 2021 and 2022, and have written 8 checks so far this year, and I expect to write 3 more for the rest of the year. I have been reducing the number of checks per year, most recently the more irregular ones such as for income taxes and car/home insurance premiums.

Most checks go to in-person copays for medical services, and to charities. A few others are for other scattered, often non-recurring purposes. Only the 2 charities are mailed out, all the others are in person.

The other bills are mostly ACH, with others on line, including the credit card (same bank as checking account, so it is really quick and easy). Most but not all the ACH ones are auto-pay, too.

[Gumby]

In 2022, I wrote 23 checks, and so far in 2023 have written 17 of them. The vast majority of them were to pay taxes. 8 each year for my property taxes (house and 3 cars, each twice a year), as well as quarterly checks to the IRS and a check with my filed returns to the IRS and the state. I also send checks as Christmas presents to my nephews and great-nephews and for wedding presents. All my bills but two are paid through a single credit card for the miles and the two exceptions are ACH'd from my bank account.

[teej1985]

I can't remember the last check I wrote. If I get a bill that doesn't take credit cards, I will have bill pay send a check out.

[Gotadimple]

I write checks for services at small companies, like the dog groomer, or a solo business like a lawn service. It saves them the cost of credit card processing.

[Winemaker]

I do; especially for taxes.

[Texas Proud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnFire I don't write checks regularly for anything. If the fee to use a credit card is greater than the CC rewards, then I use billpay or the option to directly debit our checking account (if available).

+1 except for direct debit... I will never let anybody debit my account... no way to stop them if they think they are in the right...


I have about 9 or so bills I use billpay on... a couple I write checks... I also write a check for trades that give me a discount (plumber, dentist etc.)