Start to use checks again?

[runwad]

So with all the hassle of credit card thefts, I was just wondering if some people will go back to using checks? I think if I was paranoid about using my cards, debit/credit, I'd rather use checks than carry around cash. Thing is I so rarely use checks that the one time I did try to use one at a store years ago; I forgot my wallet (ugh), it was declined. Something about me not being in the system?? I have since tried to use a check at least once a year at some kind of retail establishment so that doesn't happen again. It's just nice to have some alternative forms of payments. And most places you just have to sign your name to the check and they fill it all out for you.

 

[Mom_Rides]

Most places have gone to ACH conversion on checks which still puts your account info into their system. I'm stucking with my debit card.

 

[Swimalie]

If someone gets ahold of your check book (or debit card) they can clean out your account. If someone gets your credit card, you can see the charge and fight it without being out any money. Credit cards are still the safer way to go as long as you are vigilant with monitoring them.

 

[ICF]

Used credit cards for almost everything before the Target mess and will still use them today.

 

[elgerber]

Many many places no longer accept checks. I had my identity stolen about 15 years ago, someone working at a restaurant took my check that I wrote for my meal, instead of putting it in the register. That was wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more hassel than having a new credit card issued now and again if someone gets the number.

 

[wiigirl]

Most places have gone to ACH conversion on checks which still puts your account info into their system. I'm stucking with my debit card.

Me too.

 

[S. C.]

Used credit cards for almost everything before the Target mess and will still use them today.

Same here, we never use a debit card.

 

[starry_solo]

Only use checks to pay for credit card bills

 

[Colleen27]

If someone gets ahold of your check book (or debit card) they can clean out your account. If someone gets your credit card, you can see the charge and fight it without being out any money. Credit cards are still the safer way to go as long as you are vigilant with monitoring them.

This. My mother had a situation with one of her bank accounts that makes me more distrustful of checks than anything else. You'd think because they have your signature on file and ask for ID at the most annoying times that there's some security in place, but believe me, someone that is obviously not you can walk into a bank with a check bearing a signature that is obviously not yours and cash it without a second glance. And it is much harder to recover your money if that happens than in the case of fraudulent charges to a credit or debit card.

 

[scrapquitler]

So with all the hassle of credit card thefts, I was just wondering if some people will go back to using checks? I think if I was paranoid about using my cards, debit/credit, I'd rather use checks than carry around cash. Thing is I so rarely use checks that the one time I did try to use one at a store years ago; I forgot my wallet (ugh), it was declined. Something about me not being in the system?? I have since tried to use a check at least once a year at some kind of retail establishment so that doesn't happen again. It's just nice to have some alternative forms of payments. And most places you just have to sign your name to the check and they fill it all out for you.

Credit cards are WAY safer than debit cards and checks. If someone uses your credit card fraudulently, you are never respoinsible for more than $50 and the credit card companies usually even waive that. If you use a debit card or a check, the money is GONE from your account and you have to wait for the bank to decide to put it back in (and there's no guarantee that they will).

I will continue to use credit cards just as I always have.

 

[tvguy]

Any form of payment can be ripped off. You just have to use your best judgment. My bank issues both my credit card and my debit card, and with either if there is an issue, they put the money back until they investigate.

I still have a check book because I do business with too many small owner operated businesses that don't take debit or credit cards, but gladly will take my check (or cash).

 

[midwestdee]

I don't have a debit card - not the same protections as credit cards. When I need cash, I write a check and go to the bank. I write checks for my bills - won't do that online, too many chances for errors, which I know will get corrected, but don't want the headaches. I NEVER have bills automatically paid from my checking account - that will never happen. I usually pay by credit card (pay off in full of course), but I write checks at Costco.

 

[abcboys]

I've actually switched from using a debit card almost exclusively to a credit card. I figure with a credit card I won't be liable for the charges and the money won't just disappear from my account. I shop at target maybe twice a year and of course it happened to be from that time in December. And before that another grocery store from far away I just happened to stop in and use my debit card and same thing happened, had to get a new debit card. Finally, I got tired of it and switched to credit. I do have a few online things linked to my debit I need to change.

Don't like the hassle of writing checks except to pay a few bills at home.

 

[MillauFr]

Any form of payment can be ripped off.

Agreed. I always use credit cards because when my account gets hacked it is easy to get my money back. I used my card at Target last month and I didn't even call Bank of America. They just issued me a new card and send me a letter stating that they would deactivate my old card on Jan 8. I will continue to use credit cards.

I am also unwilling to give up two free airline tickets per year that I get from using my credit card.

 

[tvguy]

I am also unwilling to give up two free airline tickets per year that I get from using my credit card.

Come on, I know you know those aren't free. You paid for them indirectly.

 

[Hofmanns4]

Come on, I know you know those aren't free. You paid for them indirectly.

If they pay off the credit card every month and do not incur any other fees, it did not cost them one cent.

It costs the merchant that pays the fee for the card swipe.

 

[Hofmanns4]

Checks are by far more risky than debit /credit cards. Most banks have $0 to $50 liability for credit/debit cards, but that does not apply to checks. If you give anyone a check, they have a lot more information about you than if you used a card. It is much safer to pay your bills online thru your bank than send a check in the mail.

I have seen criminals get a hold of checks, they make large phony deposits to established accounts and then take the inflated amount out using a check they created. So, now you have lost not only your money, but your account is now thousands overdrawn. It takes a lot longer to research than fraudulent card transactions and to get the money back.

 

[MillauFr]

Come on, I know you know those aren't free. You paid for them indirectly.

If I use cash/checks I pay the same amount at the store and get no airline tickets. How are they not free?

 

[tvguy]

If I use cash/checks I pay the same amount at the store and get no airline tickets. How are they not free?

If you buy gas with a credit card, you pay 15 to 20 cents a gallon more with a credit card than at stations that are cash only.

True, though, idiots like me are also subsidizing your free airline tickets because merchants have to raise prices to cover the fees the credit card companies charge them.
Which gets to my note about small businesses that refuse to take credit cards and debit cards because of the fees.

 

[tvguy]

If they pay off the credit card every month and do not incur any other fees, it did not cost them one cent.

It costs the merchant that pays the fee for the card swipe.

See my other reply, there is no free lunch. We all pay for it.