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Why is check fraud suddenly rampant?
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Checks are still commonly used for businesses and people working predominantly blue-collar professions (at least in the US)
That's interesting. In the UK most companies haven't accepted checks in about 15 years.
It's because digital payment methods are almost completely owned by private entities here that charge fees for processing. Checks don't incur those costs, so people stick with them.
No need for any special apps or 'links to maintain' whatever that means. You just need the person's Bank details.
I can only assume the cost of dealing with checks was greater (as well as far less convenient) than BACS transfers were over here.
Also people over the age of 60 love shopping with them for some reason, to the detriment of literally everyone else.
We (76 and 60) shop with our plastic (credit, never debit). Next cash if it is hand-to-hand, or we can get a receipt. Otherwise check, but we don't carry a checkbook. I may do PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, but only if I know you personally -- if you're dealing with my spouse, you'd better take a check or plastic or wait for me.
How so? It's an option. The other option may be "no sale." We grew up on these and we understand them. All the high-tech ways are ever-changing, and we're never sure where we stand with them.
I feel like I stopped seeing this about 10 years ago now. I can't even remember the last time I saw someone write a check in a store