In the old days folks did not pull the illegal stuff on checks so much as they do now. Folks were more honest and trusting on both sides of the counter.
Interesting to note how folks do not trust Credit Cards, and feel their personal checks are safer. While we have folks that do steal Credit Cards and Personal ID, there are those that target checks.
These folks want returned checks tossed in the trash, instead of looting after a tornado, flood, or any natural disaster, for TV and Stereos, they look for checks. Some even make a copy of checks customers use at a business, same type of inside theft person keeping carbons of CC sales.
Printers are better than ever today. These 'gangs' take the Checking Acct number off one account, add the bank routing number from another, bank logo from a third, and make up a false name and address.
The more checks stolen, the more numbers to play with (bank routing numbers especially) the more counterfiet checks they can print up. Smart "gangs", just do small purchase amounts, $10 - $45, as some places do not even bother to check a check or person ID - especially small Mom&Pop stores, especially smaller towns.
IIRC , and last heard, if a "fake check" is used and cashed, FDIC pays the bank back.
Credit Card Companies do not have this perk. So CC companies have in some regards better security methods to protect CC owners.
In the old days if caught out, or did not want to spend the cash you had, bank checks, just blank. Stores and businesses kept some in store from the local banks. All the consumer had to do, enter checking acct number, then write a check as one normally would.
Security costs, whether in time, inconvience, extra charges to cover billing if one is hurt/injured and not working and cannot make a CC payment ...etc.
Then again back in old days businesses would make customer lists from checks from customers to do mailings to inform them of special showings, Gift giving days [Anniversary, B-Day] or simple Thank you. NOT abused, not misused. Times have changed and we now pay for a lot of matters illegal and abuse we did not before.
I use a debit card more often than a check. AR has a Regulation Z. Meaning even if the store says all sales final, no returns, or exchanges, the store has to if purchase made with a CC, debit card falls into this as well.
I get a credit immediate for a returned item with CC/Debit card too, instead of waiting for check to clear.
Now what I get tcked off about is being "eyed" for plopping down Cash for something. I was given cash to make a rent payement and utility payments for a couple while out of town. Did you know the Landlord did not want cash, Homeland Security "questions" rent being paid in cash. Screw it, I went and paid a $1 for a Money Order, then gave that to the Landlord. *sigh* He still griped and said it could still be a terrorist thing.
Not this couple. They still get red faced folding each others undies.
