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How many of you still use checks?

Just watched the checks sketch on SNL and realized that I haven't written a check in forever. Does anyone still use checks?

by Anonymousreply 589May 3, 2019 9:56 AM

Landlord insists on it. Will not accept automatic transfer.

by Anonymousreply 1March 31, 2019 5:38 PM

My mother,who is 78. Refuses to do online bill pay though Ive tried to explain to her if someone gets ahold of one she could be screwed.Sigh.

by Anonymousreply 2March 31, 2019 5:40 PM

handyman contractors I use and even a professional development course I took required checks....I have to have my bank mail me a printout of like 4 checks I use over the course of a year

by Anonymousreply 3March 31, 2019 5:43 PM

I only use checks for two things: payment for the hard boy, because there was once an issue of him saying I hadn't given him cash, when I had; property tax bill twice a year, because my county charges a whopping $15 as a "convenience fee" if I pay by credit or debit card. I will never pay a "convenience fee" to anyplace I'm giving money.

by Anonymousreply 4March 31, 2019 5:44 PM

I never write checks. Antiquated system.

by Anonymousreply 5March 31, 2019 5:44 PM

^^JFC — "hard buy" = YARD BOY.

by Anonymousreply 6March 31, 2019 5:44 PM

What's a check?

by Anonymousreply 7March 31, 2019 5:44 PM

I write one a month. To the lawn service people.

I write an additional one once a year, to the HV/AC system maintenance people.

They both prefer checks to credit cards (avoids the fees).

by Anonymousreply 8March 31, 2019 5:46 PM

I do. I would not do online banking if you paid me. I pay all bills by check and make ordinary purchases (groceries, gas, etc) by cash; I would never hold up a line writing out a check. I pay people I hire around the house by check: the tree trimmer, plumber, appliance repair guys, things like that. Checks are processed rapidly, and I always know to the penny exactly how much I have in my checking account. I don't want anything "automatically deducted" from my account - I'll do the deducting myself, thank you. I have never bounced a check in my life.

And there is something about the ritual of writing them out and signing them that I find psychologically satisfying.

by Anonymousreply 9March 31, 2019 5:54 PM

I do the same thing r9. My bank sends a copy of each check written in the monthly statement.

by Anonymousreply 10March 31, 2019 6:08 PM

I use them, but only very rarely. I try to pay most things online, but that's not always an option.

by Anonymousreply 11March 31, 2019 6:23 PM

I still use checks for monthly bills and rent. I do have a number of auto withdrawls, but prefer to keep my online finances to a minimum. I've never been part of a hack, had any card number stolen, etc... I know there probably isn't a correlation, but I feel safer not doing all of my transactions over the web.

by Anonymousreply 12March 31, 2019 6:28 PM

R9 here - my bank no longer sends the actual checks back, just a list of the numbers and the amounts, which makes it easy to balance my checkbook. Which I never have to do, btw, because I always know to the penny how much is in there!! And I have no fear of being hacked.

I am single, and the checkbook is kept in a locked drawer in my desk. You'd have to pry it out of my cold dead hand :) Agree about keeping online finances to a minimum - since I retired a few years ago, I really broke up with amazon in favor of my local public library!! When eBay first started, I had a PayPal account but got rid of that fast too.

And another thing: I don't want to join any "rewards" or "cash back" or "points" programs, thank you. Those are scams from hell.

by Anonymousreply 13March 31, 2019 6:34 PM

My HOA charges a 5% 'convenience' fee if you pay online or by credit card, so they're getting checks as long as checks exist.

by Anonymousreply 14March 31, 2019 6:34 PM

HOA monthly payment. That’s it for every month. I will write a check for Taxes and such to have a written record along with electronic.

by Anonymousreply 15March 31, 2019 6:35 PM

Oh I love the cash back cards - have several. 5% floating categories with Discover; 3% all the time for restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations; 1.5% for everything else (though I've been meaning to switch to the new 2% back for everything cards). It's a pain keeping up with the floaters but I still do it. Make about $1000 a year or so.

by Anonymousreply 16March 31, 2019 6:36 PM

I haven't even seen a check in years.

by Anonymousreply 17March 31, 2019 6:36 PM

My yard boy is also a hard boy.

by Anonymousreply 18March 31, 2019 6:37 PM

I haven't written a cheque in about twenty years. Only ever used them when I was a penniless student and used my Cheque Guarantee Card to buy wine in the last few days before payday.

They've been pretty much obsolete here in the UK for a while now. You only ever see them in giant format for a charity donation or when someone's won the lottery these days.

If I need to send anyone some money I can do it on my phone in seconds.

by Anonymousreply 19March 31, 2019 6:40 PM

water bill. Their website is so squirrely with constant password changes and seemingly impossible to reset that I just gave up and mail them a check

by Anonymousreply 20March 31, 2019 6:41 PM

R14 my HOA charges extra also, but my bank has a system where they will sent a check they write to any one I so designate automatically. It allows me not to worry about it, plus saves me the postage and the trouble. You might want to see if your bank has automatic checks they send.

by Anonymousreply 21March 31, 2019 6:41 PM

Only when I make large (500+) donations. I like to send a little note with the check, too. Makes me feel grand.I

I would like to order the special long checks.

by Anonymousreply 22March 31, 2019 6:41 PM

The landlord still insists on checks, and I pay my lawn service the same way. Same as a number of others responding here.

by Anonymousreply 23March 31, 2019 6:45 PM

No way, R16 - say whatever you want, but that's Discover's way of making you spend more by increasing your "rewards" - $1K a year is only $83 a month, which I bet you're coughing up in finance charges, or spending more than you would if cold hard cash actually had to leave your hand. Credit card companies are adept at psychological manipulation, and most poor saps go for it like lemmings over a cliff.

And R19, what happens to you when your phone is lost or stolen? Good luck with that!

by Anonymousreply 24March 31, 2019 6:47 PM

The Help, dear quaint people, still insist on cheques. The plumber here yesterday insisted on this method payment.

by Anonymousreply 25March 31, 2019 6:50 PM

I write checks to the gardener and my dad's caregiver. Everything else is paid using my bank's Bill Pay service or direct transfer.

by Anonymousreply 26March 31, 2019 6:50 PM

That's a pretty jaundiced outlook, r24. Not everyone is so easily manipulated. I put everything I can on credit cards and I pay them all off at the end of each month. I don't overspend, and I have never paid a finance charge in my life. I get back about $1500 a year. Bought a new car last year (paid cash) and the cash back alone knocked over $1000 off the purchase price.

The only checks I write are to pay the property tax bill twice a year and when I make a substantial charitable donation. The current pad of checks in my checkbook has been there since 2011.

by Anonymousreply 27March 31, 2019 6:56 PM

I write a couple of checks per month.

by Anonymousreply 28March 31, 2019 6:56 PM

Those of you who say you don't want to pay by credit card -- why can't you use online banking? I pay my HOA fees that way, as well as send money to people, or pay bills for places that don't accept credit cards. I only use a check to pay my handyman. And sometimes to move money between accounts at different banks.

by Anonymousreply 29March 31, 2019 6:57 PM

I'm doing volunteer tax preparation -- mostly for seniors -- and even they don't use checks that much anymore. We have to see a copy of a check in order to do direct deposit or direct debit (to get the routing and account numbers) and you'd be surprised at how many people don't carry one anymore. (And we can't use a debit card.)

by Anonymousreply 30March 31, 2019 6:59 PM

Gave up checks eons ago. Quit the debit card too because it was getting hacked too often.

I use bank to bank transfers and my credit card that gets paid off every month.

I was in IT. Gimmie your paper check and I will take whatever amount I want out of your account. That system is no longer safe.

by Anonymousreply 31March 31, 2019 6:59 PM

If you've ever had people put a "fraud alert" on your account every other week for no reason, you'd understand the value of having the old fashioned backup.

by Anonymousreply 32March 31, 2019 7:01 PM

they can hack your phone. Some guy lost over a million when hackers hacked his sim card and stole 1 million from his bitcoin account.

by Anonymousreply 33March 31, 2019 7:01 PM

I haven’t had a checkbook since online banking began. Probably 15 years.

by Anonymousreply 34April 1, 2019 1:35 AM

I have no idea how you manage, R34.

Even now, there are situations that still require checks.

by Anonymousreply 35April 1, 2019 1:43 AM

Write checks for rent, real estate taxes and medical bills. The check with the cashed stamp on back is a legal document and more reliable for tax purposes.

by Anonymousreply 36April 1, 2019 2:23 AM

Why are you paying re tax if you rent?

by Anonymousreply 37April 1, 2019 2:36 AM

How many of me still use checks?

by Anonymousreply 38April 1, 2019 2:45 AM

Rent an apartment and own a vacation house R37

by Anonymousreply 39April 1, 2019 3:19 AM

Cashed checks are legal documents - just ask Michael Cohen. As soon as he presented the $130K check with Trump's signature on it, the prosecutors were ready to play ball.

by Anonymousreply 40April 1, 2019 3:22 AM

In order to put direct deposit at work you need a check to enroll. This is pretty standard.

by Anonymousreply 41April 1, 2019 5:36 AM

I write maybe 2-3 checks per year, usually when someone at work is selling food (on behalf of their child). This month I'm getting an Italian hoagie and a coconut meringue pie, courtesy of some kid's school fundraiser. Paid with a check.

by Anonymousreply 42April 1, 2019 5:52 AM

I pay for items all sorts of ways. Food with cash or debit card. Plane tickets, hotels with credit card. Utility bill pay by phone option punching in check numbers on the keypad. Rent with check. Electric bill pay online using checking account number. Amazon using paypal.....etc etc. I probably write fewer than 3 checks a month.

by Anonymousreply 43April 1, 2019 7:00 AM

I write one cheque a year to my accountant, who does not accept ACH payments.

by Anonymousreply 44April 1, 2019 7:15 AM

R36, gotcha.

by Anonymousreply 45April 1, 2019 12:11 PM

Never.

by Anonymousreply 46April 1, 2019 12:19 PM

[quote]I write one cheque a year to my accountant, who does not accept ACH payments.

I'm assuming you're not American (because of "cheque"), but doesn't your bank offer online bill payment so that you can have the bank send him a cheque?

by Anonymousreply 47April 1, 2019 2:30 PM

I write 1 check per week to deduct my weekly spending money from my checking account. I have direct debit for household bills (mortgage, utilities, cell phone, cable). I pay the others online via their website.

For those touting online bill pay, be very wary - a coworker used OBP for her bills. Her electric company said it did not receive her payment. She contacted the bank. They were investigating the error but she still had to pay the electric company. So essentially, she had to pay 2x. Don't know if she ever got the issue resolved. The bank contended that they wired the payment as required. If the bank is going to send "electronic" checks to my debtor, I might has well do that shit myself via their website.

At this point, anything can be hacked so no way is safer than another, IMO,

by Anonymousreply 48April 1, 2019 3:16 PM

[quote]She contacted the bank. They were investigating the error but she still had to pay the electric company. So essentially, she had to pay 2x.

And how is that any different from having a check lost in the mail?

by Anonymousreply 49April 1, 2019 3:23 PM

The lost check wouldnt have gotten cashed.

If it did, there is a paper trail and video of the perp.

by Anonymousreply 50April 1, 2019 3:26 PM

Checks are for anything income tax-filing related, service/repair people who need to be paid at the end of the job, and for my Mom's birthday, Mother's Day and occasionally Christmas. It takes me years to go through an order of them

by Anonymousreply 51April 1, 2019 3:37 PM

I don't even own a checkbook. Even my landscaper and cleaning lady use online funds transfer.

by Anonymousreply 52April 1, 2019 3:41 PM

Rent - I don't want "automatic" payments directly to them from my account (long story) and they charge 3% on credit cards.

by Anonymousreply 53April 1, 2019 3:47 PM

I live in the country -- the cleaners, the roofers, the plumbers, they all insist on checks. So I have no choice. It's you gosh darn city people who can live without them. Not us country folk.

by Anonymousreply 54April 1, 2019 3:48 PM

I rent a fabulous above the garage apartment, so a check to my elder gay landlord it is.

by Anonymousreply 55April 1, 2019 3:52 PM

Car registration. Once a year.

by Anonymousreply 56April 1, 2019 3:56 PM

r51 You can pay income taxes by direct debit. Doesn't cost anything.

by Anonymousreply 57April 1, 2019 4:00 PM

r56 California DMV accepts credit cards for car registration online. No surcharge. And you get points toward whatever credit card reward program you use to boot.

by Anonymousreply 58April 1, 2019 4:01 PM

R57 I meant payment records for the accountant that prepared my returns every year

by Anonymousreply 59April 1, 2019 4:13 PM

R55 i see you have finally relented. Smart move.

by Anonymousreply 60April 1, 2019 4:28 PM

[quote]In order to put direct deposit at work you need a check to enroll. This is pretty standard.

Not anymore, in many places. They just need your acct. # and routing #

by Anonymousreply 61April 1, 2019 5:01 PM

Less than 5 times a year. I have personal and business bills to pay. Most of the bills are paid on-line or in a few cases when some entity has no on-line payment capability I have my bank send them a certified check. But on rare occasions when there's no ability to pay on-line or time to go through the process of having the bank send a check I'll write a personal check. Anything that can be charged to a credit card is, in order to reduce the number of bills I have to pay every month. 3 cards for personal expenses and 1 card specifically for business expenses.

by Anonymousreply 62April 1, 2019 5:09 PM

Yes. One of my utilities charges to pay electronically through auto-debit. So if they are going to charge me for something that gets their $ to them more quickly, I am going to introduce a cost to them through my use of the check.

by Anonymousreply 63April 1, 2019 5:12 PM

I write about 5 checks a month,

by Anonymousreply 64April 1, 2019 5:24 PM

Nobody should ever use checks. It will only end in tears.

by Anonymousreply 65April 1, 2019 5:26 PM

I only use cheques now if I'm buying real estate and the down payment needs a certified cheque. And I haven't bought real estate since the first decade of this century so I couldn't even begin to imagine where I keep my chequebook now. Used to go shopping with it in my pocket back in the day in case I bought something that cost more than fifty bucks.

by Anonymousreply 66April 1, 2019 5:35 PM

[quote]chequebook

How quaint. I like this word and I’m adopting it.

by Anonymousreply 67April 1, 2019 6:36 PM

[quote]Yes. One of my utilities charges to pay electronically through auto-debit. So if they are going to charge me for something that gets their $ to them more quickly, I am going to introduce a cost to them through my use of the check.

Why can't you use online bill pay?

by Anonymousreply 68April 1, 2019 9:20 PM

Just for your information , R67, it's pronounced chuh-KEW-boe-awk.

by Anonymousreply 69April 1, 2019 9:36 PM

Why isn't it chequebooque?

by Anonymousreply 70April 1, 2019 9:50 PM

R70 That's just the way the diphthongs roll in Canada.

by Anonymousreply 71April 2, 2019 1:58 AM

I received a few checks as a gift in the mid 80s when I was a teen, and that's the only time I've used them. I got my first debit card in '87, and a credit card a few years later, and I've hardly used cash ever since. I worked in a small hotel for a year in the 90s and I vaguely remember seeing one check during that time.

by Anonymousreply 72April 2, 2019 2:07 AM

[quote]

I have no idea how you manage, [R34].

Even now, there are situations that still require checks.

Yes, and 99% of the time I can send one with on line banking. If ACH won't work, my bank sends a check that arrives on the requested date and comes out of my account when it's cashed - at no cost to me. My HOA charges extra for credit card payments, but there is no charge for ACH transfers (the same goes for my insurance and property taxes). If someone needs payment up front and does not accept cards- go to the damned ATM (or MAC as they call it in Pittsburgh) beforehand and pay them cash. They'll like you even better because they can keep it off the books.

by Anonymousreply 73April 2, 2019 2:23 AM

R68, they charge for it! They charge for anything but a check, which probably costs them more in processing and the lost value during clearing.

It's inconvenient to me. But FUCK them.

by Anonymousreply 74April 2, 2019 2:28 AM

I don't know anybody who uses checks anymore except a few of my older relatives. Same demographic as the posters here, I'm sure.

by Anonymousreply 75April 2, 2019 2:35 AM

Are there still places in the world where one has to use traveler's checks? Like no ATMs or similar infrastructure?

by Anonymousreply 76April 2, 2019 2:35 AM

I cannot fathom how anyone can get by in this world without even OWNING a checkbook, and NEVER writing checks. It seems so … bizarre.

by Anonymousreply 77April 2, 2019 4:55 AM

r77 lots and lots of people do it. I'm 41 and I don't know hardly anybody my age or younger who have checks. It's all debit/credit cards, or paying with your phone.

by Anonymousreply 78April 2, 2019 5:03 AM

How the fuck do you pay contractors? Property taxes? Mortgages? Seriously, there are GOOD REASONS to pay for these things with checks. A legal document paper trail for one.

I'd never ever be stupid enough to pay a contractor with a credit card. That's just insane.

by Anonymousreply 79April 2, 2019 5:18 AM

Me. Also, Poles.

by Anonymousreply 80April 2, 2019 5:26 AM

R79, you said it, toots!

by Anonymousreply 81April 2, 2019 6:56 AM

"It seems so...bizarre."

Well, R77, when you consider what's in the White House..

by Anonymousreply 82April 2, 2019 9:25 AM

Poster "old school" should change his name to "old fool".

by Anonymousreply 83April 2, 2019 9:48 AM

One thing i absolutely stopped doing many years ago was letting any entity automatically withdraw funds from my accounts. I had a disastrous situation with a utility company that withdrew the funds 3 times for the same bill. When I contacted them it was like I was talking to zombies. They insisted their records only showed one deduction. I faxed them a copy of the withdrawals on my bank records and a representative from the bank called them to confirm what they had done. They still insisted they'd only put through one withdrawal. The bank rep called me back and admitted he'd never spoken to someone so pig headed in his life. But he assured me that if the utility company didn't put through a credit for the 2 extra payments by the end of the following day they could do it themselves. By the end of the day the utility company had found there mistake, called me to profusely apologize and guarantee me they had returned the 2 payments to my account. That's when I told them to immediately remove the auto-payment from my account.

This was in the early days of automatic payments, but I don't care how accurate companies have become since, I refuse to allow any entity to have unfettered access to my bank accounts.

by Anonymousreply 84April 2, 2019 10:02 AM

Have to for a water bill because the city uses that Click2Gov place which was hacked, but they're one of the many municipalities which never downloaded the patch to fix it, which I discovered when my debit card was hacked.

by Anonymousreply 85April 2, 2019 10:04 AM

[quote]I don't want anything "automatically deducted" from my account

I don't either, but online payments aren't all automatically deducted. I do the bills a couple times a month and manually pay each one.

The phone bill is automatic deduction and I have no choice about it, but it was causing overdrafts on my account from "billing errors," so I set up an online checking with one of the big banks for the phone bill so it doesn't come anywhere near my real checking. Turns out the big boys keep T-Mobile in line. No "billing errors" since I made the move.

But it was a big lesson in not ever using automatic deduction for anything ever unless I'm forced into it.

by Anonymousreply 86April 2, 2019 10:09 AM

"found their mistake"

by Anonymousreply 87April 2, 2019 10:39 AM

Cash gifts only. Wrote my last rent check in January, the bank sends it now.

by Anonymousreply 88April 2, 2019 10:42 AM

Had a similar situation back in 1999, R84, with a debit card -- used it to buy $77 of clothes from a catalogue, they accidentally charged me twice, the bank decided something hinky was up and closed my account without even telling me, causing checks sent for bills to bounce and holding onto my direct deposit paystubs for weeks. There was more than enough to cover two $77 charges anyway, and they kept taking my direct deposit paychecks for two weeks, just holding onto to money.

The bank sent this $77 "debt" to a collection agency immediately (no idea why they didn't just take it out of the hundreds of dollars of mine they were holding on to) and then the collection agent threatened me physically.

I was fed up, so filed a police report and called the bank's home office to give them an earful. They were alarmed enough to have a (the?) president get on the line, but he was defensive and our conversation went nowhere. But the bank at least agreed to release my money to my new credit union, though the ensuing fiasco in trying to get the bank to admit they already got their $77 and I owed them nothing is too long to relate here. I am not lying when I say that it involved the bank faking an employee's death.

It was insane. I refused to use a debit card until 2016 because of it, and someone at my credit union still remembered the whole fiasco when I went in to finally get a card.

by Anonymousreply 89April 2, 2019 10:50 AM

I absolutely will not use my debit card for anything other than an ATM withdrawal and even that is very rare. The card is kept locked up in my safe. I consider it courting disaster using those things to purchase goods, especially on line.

by Anonymousreply 90April 2, 2019 11:15 AM

I think the smartest move I ever made was moving my accounts from a bank to a credit union. I had been with the same bank since 1969, a bank my grandfather helped found. When it was sold to one of the big banking companies 5 years ago I saw no reason to stay. I moved all my accounts to a well respected credit union and have never looked back. Twice a year I get a sizeable credit (usually between $2500-$3500) from the CU in profit sharing payments. My old banking institution certainly never gave me any money other than the interest I earned on my accounts.

I look back at all the years I spent with a for-profit bank instead of going with a not-for-profit credit union and I'm embarrassed for myself.

by Anonymousreply 91April 2, 2019 11:24 AM

We don't get much profit sharing at my credit union but they are worlds ahead of the local banks. The fees are lower, they're local so you can actually talk to someone if you have a problem, they're pretty decent when it comes to getting loans, things like that. But they were useless when my debit card was hacked -- they just canceled the card and never let me know, then the college girl employee I spoke with said, and I quote, "Uhm, WHY would we have told YOU about the card being hacked? Just get a new card? They're hacked all the time?"

Noticed that in this month's newsletter they were warning people about cards getting hacked frequently, though.

by Anonymousreply 92April 2, 2019 11:32 AM

Of course I use checks, I don't trust auto-paying

by Anonymousreply 93April 2, 2019 11:35 AM

I haven't written a check since 2007, almost 12 years. I am 55 and I am more than glad I can do everything online. I hated writing checks. I switched to online back years ago as well. Haven't missed it at all.

by Anonymousreply 94April 2, 2019 11:36 AM

Checks seem to be an interesting cultural indicator. I live in very rural NH. Everyone uses checks. The ATM fees are outrageous and internet sucks.. It is common to see people use checks at the grocery store or at the Agway. Nearly every service person, gardener, painter, etc. is paid by check or cash. The town office will *only* accept checks; so, dog licenses, taxes, care registration, etc. are all paid by check.

by Anonymousreply 95April 2, 2019 11:36 AM

r79 you get a receipt. You also have an electronic record of payment on your statement.

Jesus, how old are some of you?

by Anonymousreply 96April 2, 2019 11:37 AM

I live in south Texas and none of the gardeners I use would take a check. I don’t think they have bank accounts.

by Anonymousreply 97April 2, 2019 11:46 AM

That's odd r97, are all your gardeners rich? I work in Beverly Hills. It's the other way around here, most of my clients ask if they can pay in cash. Even though they are all millionaires, they don't want to pay taxes. They still want to cheat the system and society at large.

by Anonymousreply 98April 2, 2019 11:56 AM

As a European I find this so odd and antiquated. No one uses checks here. Why would you do that when you can use online banking? It is very quick, safe and there is a paper trail. If a utility company double charges me, I can just 'reverse' the second withdrawal. Easily done. All transactions take place via electronic transfers (salary payments, taxes, bills, fines, etc). No surcharges.

And people barely use or carry cash here. Everyone pays with a debit card. Withdrawing money from an ATM costs money so it wouldn't make sense.

I only use my credit card when I book a holiday (plane ticket, hotel). Paying with a credit card for groceries and other purchases is truly bizarre. Why don't Americans use debit cards for that?

by Anonymousreply 99April 2, 2019 12:11 PM

We've been told debit cards are riskier than credit cards, R99. What's the difference, really?

Also, at least in the US, the cash-back and airline points typically are awarded for credit cards, not debit cards.

by Anonymousreply 100April 2, 2019 12:15 PM

R100 - debit links to your liquid assets (checking) so if your card is skimmed and you lose your money, getting reimbursement is a PITA and not guaranteed.

If credit is hacked, you’re technically not out any of your personal funds, and usually there is fraud protection. I keep scolding my husband to stop using his debit but he is still CC averse because he truly believes when you use it you automatically have an interest charge. I’ve explained a billion times that’s not how that works, but he doesn’t listen.

Checks we only use for our landlord, and our attorney right now. Atty adds 5% if we use CC so no thanks. We’ll also cut checks for gifts like for graduations or weddings. I used to give cashiers checks, but with the youngins I’m worried they’ll lose one like an idiot.

by Anonymousreply 101April 2, 2019 12:29 PM

Americans use debit cards a lot. More so than credit. It depends though what for. I would say most American do not put their groceries on credit, it's debit or cash. Even when its several hundred dollars. Conversely, big ticket items like a TV a cell phone, furniture almost always seem to be credit. Small things under 20 dollars like a cup of coffee are frequently cash. Some retailers wont take credit charges that low because they get charged a processing fee from the credit card company equal to an ATM fee.

If you are a city dweller like LA or NYC you need lots cash on had for tipping. In LA almost everywhere I go seems to need a tip. Valet attendants, baristas, doorman, bellman, hotel staff, parking lots, street vendors all people who cant take credit.

by Anonymousreply 102April 2, 2019 12:29 PM

[quote]If credit is hacked, you’re technically not out any of your personal funds, and usually there is fraud protection. I keep scolding my husband to stop using his debit but he is still CC averse.

Your husband is correct. While they don't charge you right away, they are designed to make money from over charges and fees. Its very easy to miss a payment or have a banking error and the house always wins. If someone uses your credit card, most still make you pay a 50 dollar fee. Its really not safer than a debit. I have had debit money replaced before once my card and pass were stolen.

by Anonymousreply 103April 2, 2019 12:36 PM

After having some checks I sent for utility bills last year get lost in the mail I decided to get with the program and make 2019 the year I finally and pay everything but mortgage and HOA online. Well, last month I paid the gas bill using BofA online bill pay only to find 2 weeks after I paid it the money was put back in my account as a refund. The gas company never got it and I have a late fee. Double checking, the BofA bill pay app has the correct gas company account number. WTF? I guess I’ll start having to drive around town paying my bills by cash.

by Anonymousreply 104April 2, 2019 12:56 PM

R103 - nah because we always pay full statement balance every month. Haven’t been charged a dime in interest for YEARS.

by Anonymousreply 105April 2, 2019 12:59 PM

That's not good for credit R105. Its not good for your credit score to have totally paid off cards every month. They base a credit score on a carried monthly balance that has to be somewhere between 30% and 70% of your credit limit. Its about building a payment history. When you zero it out every month you are seen as a looser because they will not make money off of you. Ergo, they flag that with points lower than someone who carries a monthly balance.

Having "0" balance is also bad because you have too much open credit. Its actually risky for them. Lets say you have 20,000 open line of credit and owe nothing. Criminals have been know to do that then go on a wild spending spree maxing out every card in the same month. If you skip town they loose a lot of money. If you were carrying a balance on several cards and paying regularly, its unlikely you would just go on some wild spending spree.

Credit scores are based on payment history, not on low monthly balance. If you don't carry a balance, you don't have a history.

by Anonymousreply 106April 2, 2019 1:14 PM

I pay my balance every month on my CC cards and have an excellent credit rating. R106, are you referring to a very young person just starting out building their credit score?

by Anonymousreply 107April 2, 2019 1:27 PM

[quote]you are seen as a looser because they will not make money off of you.

Oh, dear!

by Anonymousreply 108April 2, 2019 1:44 PM

R106, I've been paying off my credit cards every single month for well over a decade, probably close to two decades. NEVER carry a balance, never pay interest, My credit rating is 840. So yeah, it can't be THAT bad for your credit rating.

I also double-payed (or more) my principle on my mortgage payments. Ended up paying my 30 year mortgage off in just 14 years. My credit rating remains excellent.

I used checks for every mortgage payment. Now I'm down to using checks only for random contractors (plumbers, electricians) a few times a year, and for my property taxes. They're a nice option to have, but my usage of them is winding way, way down. But still, I'm glad they're there, and can't imagine a world without them.

by Anonymousreply 109April 2, 2019 2:11 PM

I wont pay the convenience fee for property taxes so use a check. The handyman and plumber prefer checks. I pay medical bills by check also.

by Anonymousreply 110April 2, 2019 2:16 PM

My ex insisted on paying for our groceries in cash; I was forbidden from using a credit card "They'll assume we cannot afford it!" I always use a credit card for everything except my barber who is cash-only.

by Anonymousreply 111April 2, 2019 2:29 PM

R107 I think you got your answer--just read the response again. Oh today's youth!

by Anonymousreply 112April 2, 2019 2:30 PM

R106 that’s completely wrong. Utilization of over 10% of your revolving credit greatly impacts your score.

Not using your cards often may cause the grantor to lower your limit (or if you never use it, cancel outright). But maxing or using most of your limit does not help your credit score at all.

High limit, low balances is best.

by Anonymousreply 113April 2, 2019 3:20 PM

R104 your biggest mistake is using BOA, well known to be the most dishonest and disreputable banking concern in the country. The horror stories of mistakes made on customer's accounts by that bank are legendary. Run, run like the wind as soon as you can. Move your account(s) to a good credit union.

by Anonymousreply 114April 2, 2019 3:30 PM

I had BOA years ago. I closed my account because of all their fuckery. They were AWFUL. And I never overdrew my account or did anything else that would've caused problems. They were borderline criminal, imho.

by Anonymousreply 115April 2, 2019 3:38 PM

R106, not only are you wrong, you're incredibly wrong. I charge EVERYTHING to my credit cards and not only pay them off in full each month, I pay them off a couple days before the statement drops so the balance reported to the credit reporting agencies is always ZERO. My FICO score is 838. Debt to credit ratio is one of the major criteria credit reporting agencies use in calculating your FICO score. The lower the debt, the better the score. The experts say once you go over 30% usage of your credit limit your score begins to suffer.

by Anonymousreply 116April 2, 2019 3:39 PM

Now our cleaning lady takes credit cards - she has this little device attached to her phone that does the job.

by Anonymousreply 117April 2, 2019 3:46 PM

She's heard one too many times "Sorry, I just didn't get to the bank for your cash. Next time, Sweetie?"

by Anonymousreply 118April 2, 2019 3:50 PM

Not an American, so I was wondering how this works. When someone, let's say a plumber, sends you an invoice for their services, how do you enter that information in the check?

by Anonymousreply 119April 2, 2019 5:04 PM

There's a line, usually in the lower left, the "memo line". You can write whatever you want on it - an account number, the words "for plumbing services", anything really. And then you can print that check out when your online checking account becomes available every month. They used to mail the actual canceled checks, but I'm not sure they do that anymore - they probably do but charge you a fee, and who needs that when you can print them yourself.

by Anonymousreply 120April 2, 2019 5:18 PM

I haven't gotten the actual checks mailed back to me ever, and I first got a checking account in about 1995. We didn't get online copies of our checks, either -- if I needed a copy, I had to go to the bank and pay $2 or something for a Xerox of the check. It was only about 2010 before online copies were available regularly.

Everyone just kept their own register/ledger of checks and compared it to a statement sent monthly with a list of all checks that had cleared the account.

by Anonymousreply 121April 2, 2019 5:23 PM

[quote]Jesus, how old are some of you?

I read threads like this and wonder the same thing. I’m 40, so they’ve got to be significantly older than I am.

I’ve had the same box of checks since 2008. I think there are still 2 or 3 books left. That’s how often I write checks. Everything is done electronically. A lot of places “cash” your check electronically now anyway.

by Anonymousreply 122April 2, 2019 5:55 PM

R122, it isn’t an age issue. I was the same as you when I lived in NYC. Now that a live in rural NH, I write far more checks.

by Anonymousreply 123April 2, 2019 6:01 PM

I live in suburban CT and I never write checks.

by Anonymousreply 124April 2, 2019 6:04 PM

[quote]In order to put direct deposit at work you need a check to enroll. This is pretty standard.

No, you need a bank number, transit number and account number. Old dinosaurs are just used to reading them off of a cheque. Your bank can just print you that information because idiots won't let you merely tell them the information that they need to know.

[quote]I wont pay the convenience fee for property taxes so use a check. The handyman and plumber prefer checks. I pay medical bills by check also.

This, I don't understand. Automatic deposit / e-transfer = ZERO LABOUR. Cheque = an excuse to pay someone to walk around and wait for a teller. The cheque should require convenience fees for people who can't guarantee funds at the time.

by Anonymousreply 125April 2, 2019 6:05 PM

If I tried to pay in by Check (Cheque) in a shop here in the UK they would laugh at me, It's cash or debit/credit card. Every bank account here can accept instant payments and utility companies give a discount for direct-debit (they also charge extra for paper billing).

I haven't used a Check (Cheque) for almost 30 years.

by Anonymousreply 126April 2, 2019 6:49 PM

People rarely uses checks in retail shops in the U. S.

About five years ago, my mother paid for a dental procedure of mine that wasn't covered by insurance. She made out a personal check for the exact amount check payable to the dentist, which I gave to the receptionist. She got a 5% discount over what I would have been charged on my credit card.

(she could have just given me the money, but this way worked out better for tax reasons)

by Anonymousreply 127April 2, 2019 7:21 PM

My dentist won't accept checks (cheques) since they withdrew the guarantee card scheme in 2011. Though that is probably because it isn't against the law to bounce cheques here in the UK as often as you like.

by Anonymousreply 128April 2, 2019 7:28 PM

Still have to send one to my landlord. I also write one for my shrink co-pay.

by Anonymousreply 129April 2, 2019 7:40 PM

[quote] Cheque = an excuse to pay someone to walk around and wait for a teller.

What? Checkbook packets have "deposit slips" at the back. You fill out the deposit slip very easily (you simply put the date and the amount(s) of the checks. Then you take an envelope and a stamp and mail the check(s) and deposit slip to your bank.

Or do none of you use that thing called the "mail" ("post" for Brits?)

by Anonymousreply 130April 2, 2019 7:43 PM

I don't think folks mail (post) deposits to banks any longer; that went out with dial telephones. Generally, checks are either deposited in an ATM (cashpoint), deposited via app photo, or handed to a teller.

by Anonymousreply 131April 2, 2019 7:49 PM

Maybe a few times a year- usually end of the year- charity- big checks.

by Anonymousreply 132April 2, 2019 7:50 PM

In the UK you can pay cheques in at an ATM or at any of the 11,500 local post offices to (almost) any bank. No need to mail/post them.

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by Anonymousreply 133April 2, 2019 7:50 PM

But you can mail them from the convenience of your home - just leave it for the mailman to pick up. Especially in rural areas, why would you want to drive to an ATM (or a bank) if you don't have to?

by Anonymousreply 134April 2, 2019 7:52 PM

Because UK mail (post) men do not collect mail, they only deliver it.

by Anonymousreply 135April 2, 2019 7:54 PM

oh that's interesting. Even out in the wilderness? I think the US has rather more wilderness though...

I mean if the post office is sending a representative to deliver your mail, it just makes sense they'd be willing to pick up any outgoing mail you have. Hell, it's an environmental issue! All that wasted gasoline/petrol just to deliver your own mail when the guy was just there that morning.

by Anonymousreply 136April 2, 2019 7:58 PM

My grandmother lived out in the sticks and didn't even buy stamps - she'd just put the coins in her mailbox on top of her letters to be mailed.

by Anonymousreply 137April 2, 2019 8:00 PM

This burst my urban bubble: lots of older people in rural and urban areas either don't have internet access or cannot afford home internet so bills are paid by check or through those horrible payday loan places.

by Anonymousreply 138April 2, 2019 8:07 PM

R136 They have been trialling a collection service for 2 years now, but we don't have US type mailboxes, just mailslots in our front doors so don't have anywhere to leave outgoing mail. Some postmen in rural areas will collect mail on an informal basis, but can't officially.

Delivery times can vary between 9am - 3/4pm and seem to change every week. Collection won't really work here unless every house is supplied with a mailbox, which is very unlikely.

by Anonymousreply 139April 2, 2019 8:11 PM

I had a mailslot in my door and the mailman still picked up my mail. I just put a nail in the door and a clip would hang on the nail (like a binder clip) that held the envelopes. It isn't really that big a problem to overcome. I've seen people sort of jamb the letters into the space between the door and the molding of the door -- or even use just plain old tape, either cellophane or masking tape.

by Anonymousreply 140April 2, 2019 8:21 PM

I should have added that there are 115,000 letter boxes (mail/post boxes) in the UK and most people live within 5 -10 minutes walk of one.

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by Anonymousreply 141April 2, 2019 8:22 PM

What R20 said only with another utility. Some of these city sites are just terrible and not updated enough to handle online payments. I tried several times and it wasn't going through. I just mailed a check.

by Anonymousreply 142April 2, 2019 8:24 PM

You could also hang a bag, either plastic or cloth, on the doorknob or handle - and write "outgoing mail" on it. Or "please take this to the p.o. for me - thanks!"

by Anonymousreply 143April 2, 2019 8:24 PM

[quote] I should have added that there are 115,000 letter boxes (mail/post boxes) in the UK and most people live within 5 -10 minutes walk of one

I still don't see why that's easier than having the mailman pick up the mail at everyone's house.

by Anonymousreply 144April 2, 2019 8:28 PM

I'm pretty sure that there used to be a law against them collecting post, something to do with interfering with the Queen/Kings Mail (as it had a stamp on it). It's just something that hasn't ever happened here.

by Anonymousreply 145April 2, 2019 8:34 PM

R142 I don't really understand that, can't you just pay via online banking and add your customer account number as the reference?

That's pretty much all we have to do in the UK.

by Anonymousreply 146April 2, 2019 8:51 PM

R131 I mailed in some deposits just for fun and to see if it still worked. I was in remote Northern MIch. woods and was able to leave at postbox and it showed on my account within the week. all very old fashioned and quaint but probably stupid.

by Anonymousreply 147April 2, 2019 9:05 PM

Why stupid? Even if someone stole the letter, it would be made out to your account number and they couldn't cash it. So you wait and while, and just send another one.

I've mailed in checks for decades and only once had one stolen - out of my own mailbox by some local hooligans - but they just threw it away because they couldn't use it. And I had the issuer of the check that was stole re-issue another one (it was a payment for some consulting work for the gov't - back in the 80s, they probably do direct deposits now, but still, it all worked out.) So 30 years with no problems mailing in deposits.

by Anonymousreply 148April 2, 2019 9:07 PM

* the check that was STOLEN. I do know better - I'm just too slapdash.

by Anonymousreply 149April 2, 2019 9:08 PM

Bank Of America customers should watch this video.

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by Anonymousreply 150April 2, 2019 9:20 PM

R146, I prefer to just go through each company rather than directly from the bank because I want to actually go through the bill before the payment is made (I'm in NYC and sometimes, the utility like to put their thumb on the scale, so I like to make sure the amount owed is accurate). I also like to pay via credit card sometimes (for the points). The National Grid (for example) website is so antiquated-looking. It's so bare bones that it's a pain trying to sign in.

by Anonymousreply 151April 2, 2019 9:29 PM

Fascinating stories. I'm sort of half expecting some of them to be a joke, but apparently you really do things differently in America. Imagine reading a thread where people talk about commuting to work in a horse-drawn carriage.

I just find it hard to believe that in a technologically advanced country like the U.S. online banking is not safe or is discouraged and the banking sites and utility company's sites cannot handle/process the online payment. It literally takes me 10 seconds to pay a bill online by simply putting in the amount and the reference code. For most of the bills the withdrawals are automatic, I don't even have to do anything. I certainly don't have to write checks, buy envelopes and stamps and then mail them.

So why is online banking and using a debit card somehow impossible or unsafe in America? Genuine question. I mean no offence.

by Anonymousreply 152April 2, 2019 10:50 PM

[quote]So why is online banking and using a debit card somehow impossible or unsafe in America? Genuine question. I mean no offence.

It really isn't, millions and millions of people do online banking and use debit cards every day and don't have a problem. I've never had any issues in the many years I've been doing it.

You have to remember the demographic that makes up a big chunk of DL posters - they're old and tech-phobic.

by Anonymousreply 153April 2, 2019 11:07 PM

[quote]Cheque = an excuse to pay someone to walk around and wait for a teller.

Um... what? No. You just drop a check at the ATM, or better yet, just take a picture of it with your banking app. Done and done. No labor at all. I have no idea what you're even trying to get at with the "pay someone to walk around and wait for a teller"... huh?

by Anonymousreply 154April 2, 2019 11:10 PM

[quote]So why is online banking and using a debit card somehow impossible or unsafe in America?

It is safe. You have a lot of elderly luddites on DL who hyperventilate at the sight of a smartphone.

by Anonymousreply 155April 2, 2019 11:44 PM

Walmart had to sue VISA because VISA did not allow the input of the 4 digit pin on debit cards which made the cards very dangerous to use there. If someone got hold of your VISA debit card they could walk into any Walmart and buy whatever they wanted with it and not have to key in the pin #. I think that has changed now.

by Anonymousreply 156April 2, 2019 11:51 PM

I don't even go to the bank to deposit checks I receive anymore. I just use my credit union's mobile app to take a picture of the front and back of the check and it is automatically deposited.

by Anonymousreply 157April 2, 2019 11:53 PM

R157 = Thoroughly Modern Millie

by Anonymousreply 158April 2, 2019 11:54 PM

[quote] How many of you still use checks?

^^And balances, say the founding fathers as they look down upon us from a better place.

by Anonymousreply 159April 2, 2019 11:55 PM

[quote] If someone got hold of your VISA debit card they could walk into any Walmart and buy whatever they wanted with it and not have to key in the pin #. I think that has changed now.

FFS there are a million business that don't require a debit pin, it just scans the card. Somebody could also steal your wallet and spend all your cash.

by Anonymousreply 160April 2, 2019 11:56 PM

r157 you're going to get the elderqueens saying they don't believe that, and you're making it up lol!

by Anonymousreply 161April 2, 2019 11:57 PM

I never write checks, but I do write the occasional cheque.

by Anonymousreply 162April 2, 2019 11:58 PM

Credit cards are safer than debit cards.

by Anonymousreply 163April 2, 2019 11:59 PM

R160 it's not the businesses that don't require the pin, it's the issuer of the debit card. Businesses would prefer a pin was required for obvious reasons. It's just that the issuers of some debit cards don't want pins used because it costs them money to process them. Money they don't recoup from the person using the card.

by Anonymousreply 164April 3, 2019 12:01 AM

I've been yammering on about using checks - but I mostly use automatic payments online.

One question though, how do you put a monetary gift inside a birthday card, without using a check? Are these young nieces and nephews going nuts trying to figure out what I've enclosed? So far, haven 't gotten any complaints. Maybe their parents help them out, because the checks are being cashed.

by Anonymousreply 165April 3, 2019 12:03 AM

[R157] you're going to get the elderqueens saying they don't believe that, and you're making it up lol!

Well, at 66 I am officially an elderhomo so they'd better take my word for it. I will cut a bitch.

by Anonymousreply 166April 3, 2019 12:03 AM

Well I fucked that quote up majorly, didn't I.

by Anonymousreply 167April 3, 2019 12:04 AM

It's ok grandpa - I'm in the same boat.

And even though you youngin's think writing a check is a horrific imposition, I find it quite easy. Easier than entering a bunch of damned numbers on a smart phone. I think I can write it and send it just as fast. (unless it's automated and I do that in nearly every possible case but a one off? Pfft. Not worth the bother - entering those numbers again...)

by Anonymousreply 168April 3, 2019 12:07 AM

R154 I take the risk of cash to niece otherwise MOM has to cash the check and see it and judge me for being too generous.

R157 can I just take a picture of the cash and text her ?

by Anonymousreply 169April 3, 2019 12:07 AM

R169 here that was for R165..sorry

by Anonymousreply 170April 3, 2019 12:09 AM

only stupid fuckers use debit cards while shopping. they deserved to be hacked. only use debit at atm machines, even then, you gotta be careful they don't have skimming devices attached to the machine to steal your info.

I can't believe people don't know the difference between debit and credit cards. LOL.

by Anonymousreply 171April 3, 2019 12:12 AM

Dear Brit Guy:

My cable TV and mobile phone bills are automatically charged to a credit card. I pay my electric bill online with my credit card, which takes less than five minutes every other month. We are a bit more advanced than you seem to have inferred.

It is true that sometimes we have to pay a few % surcharge for credit cards, while problems with debit transactions aren't sorted out right away, but can take a few days for our bank to investigate with the merchant's account. However, paying bills from debit does happen. Few bills are likely paid by post as they were a decade ago.

Also, opening a bank account in the States is not easy for folks with poor credit or limited means. They tend to either pay bills in cash, or buy money orders if necessary.

by Anonymousreply 172April 3, 2019 12:12 AM

R165, there are VISA and Mastercard and American Express gift cards. put in the amount and send that. of course, there will be fees with that. Nothing wrong with checks.

by Anonymousreply 173April 3, 2019 12:13 AM

For those who don't already know: You're safer using a credit card because the money isn't yours and if something happens, the CC company takes it far more seriously than if you use a debit card which is YOUR money.

by Anonymousreply 174April 3, 2019 12:14 AM

[R169] I'd have to go the bank to get a $100 dollar bill (or more) because five twenties in a card is being so obvious. I don't keep hundred dollars bills, btw, so there's a trip to the damned bank (my bank's atm will only dole out twenties or less).

So meanwhile, in less than 5 minutes, I can write out a check, put it in the birthday card (which I buy in bulk - I have 25 nieces and nephews) - I can vary the amount as I wish - send even more if I wish (or less) without having the "right change" on hand, and even if the card is lost or stolen, the money won't be.

I still don't see the advantage of sending cash. I don't care what the parents think. Actually I LIKE them knowing what a sweetheart I am. And if the kids can't figure out how to go to a bank to cash a check, they need to develop some resourcefulness so I'm happy to help them with that.

by Anonymousreply 175April 3, 2019 12:16 AM

I've read about his for fucking years, European countries are fucking tiny, therefore it is fucking EASY to implement all kinds of "advanced" payment methods. They can use one card to pay for subway, this that and the other etc....

by Anonymousreply 176April 3, 2019 12:16 AM

*this

by Anonymousreply 177April 3, 2019 12:17 AM

Hey fellow DLers, there is a new scam...my friend was a victim. This happens when someone will bump into you or stand very close to you, probably in subway or bar.

The crooks use some machine to read your cards in your wallet, my friend's bank account was taken for a like a thousand, I forgot the amount, he had to go make a police report and warned me about it. This was actually over a year ago. so you gotta protect yourself with RFID blocking wallets, so your sensitive info can't be stolen.

by Anonymousreply 178April 3, 2019 12:21 AM

In many stores, they now require your ID when you use credit cards. I've noticed this recently. I mostly use cash but I've seen this at the check out lines.

by Anonymousreply 179April 3, 2019 12:23 AM

can anyone join a credit union?

by Anonymousreply 180April 3, 2019 12:23 AM

R180 I couldn't as I declared bankruptcy in 1992 ( when it was still FUN!) I got the impression it constituted a lifetime ban from C.U.'s

by Anonymousreply 181April 3, 2019 12:25 AM

Anyone can join a credit union, as long as you are within the credit union's field of membership. ... Family - Most credit unions allow members' families to join. Geographic Location - Many credit unions serve anyone that lives, works, worships or attends school in a particular geographic area.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 182April 3, 2019 12:27 AM

Depends on the credit union - some have specific requirements related to employment, etc. while others are open to folks residing in their geographic area.

by Anonymousreply 183April 3, 2019 12:28 AM

I write several and it annoys me.

The guy who owns the condo I rent said I can use PayPal but my credit union for some reason will not process transactions through paypal and so I send checks.

I pay my psychiatrist with a check.

I pay my utility company with a check because its online payment portal is weirdly complicated. But I may change to e-checks through the credit union instead. Still have to give my shrink a manual one though.

by Anonymousreply 184April 3, 2019 12:30 AM

R184 you are the third one , including myself, to have utility website issues as the reasonings to still use check with them

by Anonymousreply 185April 3, 2019 12:34 AM

R171, chip plus PIN debit cards used at onsite retailers are safe.

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by Anonymousreply 186April 3, 2019 12:37 AM

So many renters on here.

by Anonymousreply 187April 3, 2019 12:41 AM

R187 Die rich and try to take it with you, Gramps.

by Anonymousreply 188April 3, 2019 12:43 AM

I love to slowly write checks at the grocery store. Make em wait in line. Makes me feel good.

by Anonymousreply 189April 3, 2019 1:02 AM

R189, then watch a guy choke you because you're making him wait to eat his chips.

by Anonymousreply 190April 3, 2019 1:10 AM

R186, keep thinking that and keep using, you will be hacked soon. Your bank details will be available to hackers when they hack the stores where you used your cards. Almost all stores have been hacked. and you don't find out until months or even years later, sometimes, they don't even know they were hacked for months, most of the time, they don't tell until legally required to.

by Anonymousreply 191April 3, 2019 1:14 AM

Not totally on topic, but If you plan not to open new cc accounts or get any kind of loan in the near future, I suggest you put a freeze on your credit to protect yourself. It really does work. I froze my mother's credit and she had forgotten I had done so and tried to apply for a store card and couldn't get it

by Anonymousreply 192April 3, 2019 1:21 AM

r191 you can tell you were hacked as soon as you look at your account online. Debit card purchases usually show up within a few minutes.

FFS some of you people must be older than Jesus Christ.

by Anonymousreply 193April 3, 2019 1:25 AM

I only use bitcoin.

by Anonymousreply 194April 3, 2019 1:26 AM

I am keeping my checkbook with me every fuckin’ time I go to the grocery store, from now on. Suffer bitches!

by Anonymousreply 195April 3, 2019 1:28 AM

I'm an eldergay (66) and I find myself using Google Pay (on my phone) more often every day. I even use it to open the door at the ATM lobby, and to use the ATM itself.

by Anonymousreply 196April 3, 2019 1:49 AM

My landlady doesn’t take credit cards.

by Anonymousreply 197April 3, 2019 1:57 AM

Anyone who doesn’t use checks simply doesn’t have a variety of bills.

My cleaning woman and contractor only take checks, or cheques, so sod off!

by Anonymousreply 198April 3, 2019 2:02 AM

My Puerto Rican cleaning lady who can barely speak English does e-Transfer on her iPhone. Her iPhone is a newer model than mine lol!

by Anonymousreply 199April 3, 2019 2:06 AM

Finding my checks and writing one out seems like the worst kind or chore these days, but I remember a time when I'd spend one Saturday morning each month writing out a check for each credit account, utility, mortgage/rent etc.

I now write a check once a year to my homeowners association, and to my cat sitter as needed. I'd like to get her on Venmo though... that's how I pay my cleaning person. Mortgage and car deducted automatically from my checking account each month. So much better.

On a related note, I still use a book of stamps I bought circa 2014.

by Anonymousreply 200April 3, 2019 2:08 AM

R199, just out of curiosity, do you live in NY?

by Anonymousreply 201April 3, 2019 2:09 AM

Fairfield County, CT, r201.

by Anonymousreply 202April 3, 2019 2:10 AM

Oh, OK, because I swear I have a PR maid who has a better iphone than me, too!

by Anonymousreply 203April 3, 2019 2:11 AM

r203 cleaning ladies make bank in Fairfield County! She lives in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. Drives a new model GMC.

by Anonymousreply 204April 3, 2019 2:22 AM

I'm actually glad to hear that, R204. These women work very hard. They deserve it.

by Anonymousreply 205April 3, 2019 2:26 AM

I mean this with all the love in the world, but some of you might just be too stupid to breathe. All of these mistakes with autopay and your accounts fucking up. It sounds like user error. You never have to autopay. You can go only each month and pay your account without anything being auto-deducted.

I got into this fight with a co-worker who refuses to use ApplePay or Venmo even after we all explained that using ApplePay or Venmo is safer than checks or debits cards. So of you get what you deserve.

by Anonymousreply 206April 3, 2019 2:27 AM

I agree r205. Cleaning houses is hard work. I'm glad my cleaning lady can make a nice living from it. She's a real lovely person, too.

by Anonymousreply 207April 3, 2019 2:28 AM

I don't do auto-deduct because I like to be in complete control of when my $$$ is deducted. Each month, I pay my bills by going to the individual websites for cell phone provider, credit card provider etc. and manually enter my acct. info then press "pay." I've been doing this for many years and I've never had an issue.

by Anonymousreply 208April 3, 2019 2:30 AM

Same, R208. I do prefer some control over when I pay.

by Anonymousreply 209April 3, 2019 2:32 AM

You can do the same thing from your own account, without auto pay.

by Anonymousreply 210April 3, 2019 2:32 AM

[quote]What? Checkbook packets have "deposit slips" at the back. You fill out the deposit slip very easily (you simply put the date and the amount(s) of the checks. Then you take an envelope and a stamp and mail the check(s) and deposit slip to your bank.

Or you use absolutely no paper at all and type something in and press enter then have immediate proof of payment. And?

by Anonymousreply 211April 3, 2019 2:45 AM

yes, but most people don't even check their bank balances or read their statements. sometimes, other information is hacked, not just your debit/credit card info, your name, address, etc, all the hacked info is sold on the dark web and thieves use your name to get credit cards, car loans, who knows what else.

The latest trend is called sim card swaps. They hack your phone's sim card and take over your phone and start changing passwords to all your accounts. One guy from San Fran lost millions of dollars in bitcoin via this scam.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 212April 3, 2019 2:52 AM

[quote]yes, but most people don't even check their bank balances or read their statements.

Then they're fucking idiots and they deserve whatever happens.

by Anonymousreply 213April 3, 2019 3:15 AM

The only thing I've used a check for in the last ten years is rent.

I pay all my bills online (manually, not auto, I like the confirmation of knowing *I* did it).

I go to the bank to get quarters for laundry and it seems like everyone on this thread are the old folks in line ahead of me making deposits or withdrawals. YOU CAN USE YOUR PHONE GRANDMA.

If I could get quarters from an ATM, I'd never set foot in a bank.

by Anonymousreply 214April 3, 2019 3:50 AM

For monthly misc bills like cell phone and home internet, I have them auto-bill to a credit card which I pay off each month. The credit card is at the same bank where I have my operating account so I just transfer funds via online banking to pay the bill.

I would do the same for electric bill but they charge a fee to use credit card. So that one I pay via their web site (ACH the funds from my account). Mortgage and insurance I also pay via their web sites. For HOA I use my bank's online bill pay to send the payment. They charge a fee for credit card or ACH.

The only thing I pay by check is property taxes twice a year. I could do that via ACH but for some reason I still mail a check.

I don't know why I do some via ACH and some via online bill pay. It would probably be even faster to just do everything the same way. Set up all the payees once, and then it's really fast each month. But I don't get paper bills so still log into each vendor web site each month to scan through my bill anyway, so I just pay while I'm doing that.

Too many choices!

by Anonymousreply 215April 3, 2019 3:51 AM

Same, r215. I don't get paper bills either so I like to look at my bill on my account page on the provider's web site to review it before I pay. Then I just put my account # in and press PAY. I just use my debit card to pay all of my bills online, since it comes right out of my account.

by Anonymousreply 216April 3, 2019 4:09 AM

I'd be embarrassed to post about going to the bank for quarters to do laundry. Try a change jar or buy a washer/dryer.

by Anonymousreply 217April 3, 2019 5:49 AM

Property taxes.

by Anonymousreply 218April 3, 2019 7:03 AM

Some of us use cheques.

by Anonymousreply 219April 3, 2019 7:09 AM

R176 what does the size of the country have to do with anything? You really don't need advanced technology for a simple wire transfer between two bank accounts. The money is sent within seconds and shows up in the recipient's bank account right away. What technical or processing issues do you keep talking about? Are American banks different?

By the way some of you mentioned paying bills through the provider's website. You can actually do that? Sounds strange. We don't even have that here. Why not just pay bills through your bank account on your bank website? Why go to different websites?

America sounds like a wild place. I haven't been in years and I don't feel safe going back. I mean, you don't use debit cards because there is a real danger of being hacked? I've lived in several European countries and everyone uses a debit card for shopping. This is surreal.

by Anonymousreply 220April 3, 2019 7:31 AM

[quote]I mean, you don't use debit cards because there is a real danger of being hacked?

There is more legal protection for credit cards than debit cards in the U.S.

by Anonymousreply 221April 3, 2019 7:54 AM

[quote] I've been paying off my credit cards every single month for well over a decade, probably close to two decades. NEVER carry a balance, never pay interest, My credit rating is 840. So yeah, it can't be THAT bad for your credit rating.

That's because you own property which only 50% of Americans will ever do in their lifetime. I am assuming you didn't buy it for all cash and made mortgage payments, that reads good just like carrying a credit card balance. And actually, real-estate is a big piece of the credit pie equation the big 3 like to look at.

by Anonymousreply 222April 3, 2019 8:13 AM

[quote]America sounds like a wild place. I haven't been in years and I don't feel safe going back. I mean, you don't use debit cards because there is a real danger of being hacked? I've lived in several European countries and everyone uses a debit card for shopping. This is surreal.

I am American and I have never been hacked in 55 years of living in a major city. That credit/debit fear is something promoted by credit protection companies to drum up business. It does happen but it's largely overblown. Remember, America is a country of over 300 million people so even something like 1% being hacked still ads up to 3 million people. You are more likely to get pick pocketed in Europe than hacked in the US.

by Anonymousreply 223April 3, 2019 8:19 AM

But who profits from fear mongering regarding online banking? I.e. 'don't wire money, write a check instead'? Who profits from you mailing a paper check? Which company? Wouldn't the banks want to encourage online banking to generate more business? I'm confused.

by Anonymousreply 224April 3, 2019 8:42 AM

Its not that someone is profiting from making you write a check. Its a bigger picture thing about scaring you that anyone can assume your digital identity and take all your money. Life Lock for example is a big company that you can pay a monthly fee to monitor your credit so that "criminals" cant open any new cards or do a credit check without you unfreezing it. Attracts mostly older people who are afraid to use the internet or online banking.

When I stand in line and someone has the nerve to pull out a check book and hold everyone up, its ALWAYS an elderly Frau or some queens in their 60's +

by Anonymousreply 225April 3, 2019 9:05 AM

[quote] Americans use debit cards a lot. More so than credit.

Probably because so many have such a shitty credit rating they can't even get a credit card.

by Anonymousreply 226April 3, 2019 11:48 AM

[quote]By the way some of you mentioned paying bills through the provider's website. You can actually do that? Sounds strange. We don't even have that here. Why not just pay bills through your bank account on your bank website? Why go to different websites?

Because the provider's websites have a "my account" login where you can review your bill before paying. Some of us are more comfortable seeing the bill before paying anything.

[quote] I mean, you don't use debit cards because there is a real danger of being hacked? I've lived in several European countries and everyone uses a debit card for shopping. This is surreal.

Again, the poster here complaining about debit cards are older than dinosaurs and paranoid. Millions and millions of Americans use their debit cards on a daily basis, or pay with their phones. It's the most common form of payment. You can't base your opinions of the US on the ancient DL demographic.

by Anonymousreply 227April 3, 2019 11:49 AM

I meant "the POSTERS here complaining..." Plural. Sorry.

by Anonymousreply 228April 3, 2019 11:50 AM

I write checks for all my moms’ expenditures so theres a clear picture of where her money is going in case my brother or extended family questions it

by Anonymousreply 229April 3, 2019 11:55 AM

r229 the online bank statement would also have a record of all that.

by Anonymousreply 230April 3, 2019 12:06 PM

I have had three landlords in the last fifteen years and have only paid rent by check.

Paying by credit card would be more convenient, but I do not see landlords spending the money to set that up anytime soon.

by Anonymousreply 231April 3, 2019 12:17 PM

Dear Shocked European:

We don't use debit cards as often as our credit cards have incentives such as money back or airline miles and such, which are not as attractive to banks to offer under European banking rules.

by Anonymousreply 232April 3, 2019 12:19 PM

R227 that's what I was wondering about. When you log into "my account" on the website of, let's say, your cell phone provider, you can actually pay the bill through that website? How does that work? Is there a button or link that takes you to your bank's website for online payment?

And why do you need to go to the company's website to review your bill? Don't you receive it in your inbox (e-mail) or in your mail on paper?

Sorry if my questions seem dumb, but this is so very different from what I'm used to. Everything is electronic here. Bills, payments, communication with various companies and authorities. Can't even remember the last time I posted a letter.

by Anonymousreply 233April 3, 2019 12:30 PM

We don't have to pay property tax in a lump sum in the UK, you can pay it interest free monthly in arrears if you like.

It's generally better to use direct-debit if you choose to do that though, if a check (cheque) was late or went missing it could mess with your credit rating.

by Anonymousreply 234April 3, 2019 12:36 PM

r233 here's a sample page from Verizon to give you an example. You log in to your account, and your itemized bill is right there. You then enter the amount you want to pay, and click the "pay button." You can save your card # on the page or manually enter it each time. You don't go to your bank's website.

[quote]And why do you need to go to the company's website to review your bill? Don't you receive it in your inbox (e-mail) or in your mail on paper?

Nobody my age gets paper bills in the mail. I don't know about every service provider, but all of mine will send an email or text that basically says "your bill is due." The actual bill is not included in the email/text, there's a link to access their website and log in to your account. Again, this is how all the companies I'm a customer of set up their bills, there could be other companies that do send the actual bill to email/text.

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by Anonymousreply 235April 3, 2019 12:39 PM

I'm an early eldergay and am totally embarrassed by this thread. I can't believe we have people here who are afraid of online bill paying and paying with your phone. I can understand having to write a check for your mortgage/rent or even if you don't want to pay the convenience fees, but even that is ridiculous. Why must you make your lives so much harder?

by Anonymousreply 236April 3, 2019 12:40 PM

r233 here's another sample online payment screen, from the cable company.

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by Anonymousreply 237April 3, 2019 12:47 PM

R233 is stupid. you log into your account at XYZ store. you see your bill, you pay bill. simple as that. they will give payment method. you check the box visa,mastercard etc, then enter card number and expiration date. hit enter.

by Anonymousreply 238April 3, 2019 12:49 PM

[quote] my bank no longer sends the actual checks

There was some banking law passed about 10 years ago or so where it stipulated that banks are no longer obligated to send you your checks to keep.

If I remember right, it basically said that checks and ACH payments could be treated the same, and that you could see an image on your account in some cases, but the record itself was enough.

by Anonymousreply 239April 3, 2019 12:51 PM

[quote]I don't think folks mail (post) deposits to banks any longer;

Wow. I’m 47 and never knew that was even a thing. In my dinosaur days, if you received a check, you’d bring it to the bank to cash or deposit it.

by Anonymousreply 240April 3, 2019 12:53 PM

The old fashion way is sometimes better. I don't like apps because I value my privacy.

All of you paying with your phone, what if you lose your phone? thieves can have access to all your accounts esp if you don't log out of them.

It's easier for European countries to implement all kinds of "advance" payment methods because you are small. USA is fucking huge, over 300 million people, lots and lots of red tape and legal roadblocks.

Hacking is real, you just don't know it.

by Anonymousreply 241April 3, 2019 12:54 PM

I pay bills online - I have done it directly as shown in R235 and R237 but I now do it through our bank.

I am not a big proponent of big banks but it's literally the only good thing I've experienced about Chase.

Never had a problem with payments Payments automatically debited from your account when you make it Usually posts to the other account within one day

Just so easy to manage that way. I have never looked back on that one.

by Anonymousreply 242April 3, 2019 12:54 PM

I do online payments but only on my computer. not on my phone.

by Anonymousreply 243April 3, 2019 12:55 PM

[quote] Hacking is real, you just don't know it.

So....you go to the post office each month and buy money orders for all your bills, then?

Because checks and bank accounts are just as susceptible to fraud - in fact, checks overall are super easy to commit fraud with if they fall into the wrong hands.

by Anonymousreply 244April 3, 2019 12:56 PM

There is nothing wrong with paying with checks.

Hackers are not hacking your bank account, they are hacking the stores where you use your debit/credit cards, that's where your info is hacked. They use the hacked info to open more credit cards and other loans in your name.

Have you not heard how hackers are using your info to get tax returns pretending to be you?! it's a big thing now.

by Anonymousreply 245April 3, 2019 1:01 PM

[quote]I just use my credit union's mobile app to take a picture of the front and back of the check and it is automatically deposited.

What’s that ya say now, Sonny? Your unions what to do who now? And why must you young ‘uns take pictures of everything dammit? What do you need a picture of the check for? Ya gotta go down and see the banker. Give him the check, he’ll give you money.

You young ‘uns with your pictures.

by Anonymousreply 246April 3, 2019 1:01 PM

R241 I can use one of my debit cards in any currency (interbank rates) in every country in the world without any charges, so it's not just a European thing (I live in the UK). I can also send money to any account in any currency anywhere using the same card.

The US banking system is either chronically behind the rest of the world or their customers are woefully ill informed as to the services available.

by Anonymousreply 247April 3, 2019 1:06 PM

R247, and you're not charged a fee for doing so? I don't believe this. NO FEE? from a fucking bank? I don't think so, the banks here charge a fee for everything.

by Anonymousreply 248April 3, 2019 1:14 PM

[quote]The US banking system is either chronically behind the rest of the world or their customers are woefully ill informed as to the services available.

It's the customers. Most of it is fear based. Some of it is older people set in their ways. My 70 year old mother still writes check for everything. I give her a pass because she's 70. No one under 55 gets a pass though.

by Anonymousreply 249April 3, 2019 1:15 PM

In the USA, there are similar things as well, we send via email. it's called Chase Quick Pay, I can send/receive money to/from anyone, all that person has to do is give me his/her email address or mobile number. I don't need his her bank details etc.

Chase QuickPay is a free service that allows people with Chase Bank checking accounts to make person-to-person (P2P) transfers with other accounts that are part of the clearXchange (CXC) network. Your account information stays protected—you won’t see the other person’s account info, and they won’t see yours.

by Anonymousreply 250April 3, 2019 1:19 PM

I write checks to service people like my lawn guy and to some charities. I pay my bills online and also use credit and debit cards. I do electronic transfers on a lot of stuff such as paying my computer gut and getting rent from tenants. I haven't used my phone to pay for stuff but I just downloaded some apps to do so.

by Anonymousreply 251April 3, 2019 1:19 PM

[quote]All of you paying with your phone, what if you lose your phone? thieves can have access to all your accounts esp if you don't log out of them.

If they can get into my phone after I’ve lost it (hint: it’s not a flip phone you just open up), and then can get into the app (whichever one, doesn’t matter) they still have to know my logon credentials. Apps and websites log you out after a certain amount of time automatically.

What happens if you lose your checkbook? What happens if it gets stolen out of your mailbox? There’s ALWAYS what ifs in life.

by Anonymousreply 252April 3, 2019 1:20 PM

R252, yes, but they can reset your passwords, if they have access to your email account which you always have open on your phone. they send a code to reset password to your email which the thief will now have access to etc. I pay bills online but I never have the apps on my phone.

by Anonymousreply 253April 3, 2019 1:24 PM

R248 They even give me points which I can convert to cash for using the card, so not is it only free - they pay me to use it.

(Not sure if the link is Geo-blocked)

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by Anonymousreply 254April 3, 2019 1:25 PM

I see maybe 5 people or less a year writing checks in the grocery lines. I don't mind it generally, but it's almost always some 90 year old woman who stands there for 10 minutes as the clerk rings up her goods and doesn't even bother to pull out her checkbook and fill in everything but the amount until the clerk is finished. Then it takes her another 10 minutes to find her checkbook in her huge purse and after she's done writing the check she wants to stand there holding up the line while she reviews her receipt. I have told plenty of them to please move aside to check their receipt as "you're holding up the line". The look back and are shocked, SHOCKED I TELL YOU, that there were people in the line behind them. And at 66 I'm an elder myself, but DAMN!

Just poison me before I ever get to the point of being like that.

by Anonymousreply 255April 3, 2019 1:27 PM

There is a reason why Warren Buffet prefers flip phones! So don't be embarrassed elder gays!

Not everybody wants a smartphone though, for the sake of simplicity — and, perhaps, sanity. Smartphones distract some people from getting their jobs and chores done, as well as from special moments with family and friends, thanks in part to all of the notifications popping up every few minutes and the easy accessibility to emails.

Even some very in-demand people use flip phones. Chris Pine, the “Star Trek” and “Wonder Woman” actor, uses a flip phone, he told Us Weekly magazine, as does country singer Dierks Bentley, People magazine reported. “I kind of like the simplifying down,” Pine told Us Weekly. “I don’t want to be connected so much.”

Many others have tweeted that they too wish they had flip phones, to “unplug” from their smartphones and connect with friends and loved ones in a more traditional way.

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by Anonymousreply 256April 3, 2019 1:28 PM

Everything on my phone is protected by finger print tech. Even the apps are protected by finger print tech. So unless they are chopping my finger off, they aren't getting in. But if I lose my phone, I can always go to my laptop and lock it down or even erase it.

by Anonymousreply 257April 3, 2019 1:37 PM

[quote]yes, but they can reset your passwords, if they have access to your email account which you always have open on your phone. they send a code to reset password to your email which the thief will now have access to etc.

I have finger print tech like r257, so nobody is getting into my online accounts. I also have the "secret question" if I want to reset any passwords. If somebody doesn't know the name of my pet cat that I had in grade school, followed by a series of numbers, they're not getting in that way either.

As r257 also said, you can dump everything on your phone remotely from any digital device, and also lock it down. This happens immediately.

This stuff has all been around for YEARS now, threads like these really show you how fucking ancient a lot of the posters here are.

by Anonymousreply 258April 3, 2019 1:44 PM

yes, except you just gave your fingerprint to a fucking company who is probably selling that info. I am only giving my fingerprints to govt if they ask for it. fuck that shit. I am not elder gay and I don't give a shit, I am sick and tired of companies profiting off my info just because I use their shitty service.

so hey, did you know, you don't even have to buy their shitty product, all you have to do is go to their website and they "wiretap" you, prime example Caper mattress. They were sued by State of New York a couple of years ago.

A federal lawsuit earlier filed this week accuses Casper, the direct-to-consumer mattress startup, and a software company named NaviStone of illegally collecting information from visitors to the Casper website in an attempt to learn their identities.

The 21-page suit, which is seeking class-action status, alleges that New York City resident Brady Cohen visited the Casper website several times over the past six months while he was shopping for a new mattress. He didn't know the company, which has disrupted a $14 billion mattress industry, was using NaviStone's technology to learn his personally identifiable information (PII), such as his name and postal address, without his consent. Cohen wound up not buying a Casper mattress.

According to the court filing, Casper is able to observe the keystrokes, mouse clicks and other electronic communications and get detailed information on visitors' habits, thanks to secret NaviStone code embedded in its site, which functions as an illegal wiretap.

The Nov. 28 filing says: "...when connecting to a website that runs this remote code from NaviStone, a visitor's IP address and other PII is sent to NaviStone in real-time. This real-time interception and transmission of visitors' electronic communications begins as soon as the visitor loads casper.com into their web browser."

The filing added that "The intercepted communications include, among other things, information typed on forms located on casper.com, regardless of whether the user completes the form or clicks 'Submit.'"

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by Anonymousreply 259April 3, 2019 1:52 PM

[quote]I pay bills online but I never have the apps on my phone.

I would do that too, but I have this habit of paying all my bills when I'm at work lol!

by Anonymousreply 260April 3, 2019 1:53 PM

[quote]yes, except you just gave your fingerprint to a fucking company who is probably selling that info.

Every company is selling everybody's info these days. Even if you still use checks and go to the bank to do all your business, your info is probably being sold.

by Anonymousreply 261April 3, 2019 1:54 PM

[quote]yes, except you just gave your fingerprint to a fucking company who is probably selling that info

Even if they were tin-foil hat man, what are they doing with your fingerprint?

by Anonymousreply 262April 3, 2019 2:23 PM

[quote] Wow. I’m 47 and never knew that was even a thing. In my dinosaur days, if you received a check, you’d bring it to the bank to cash or deposit it.

I am familiar with this because back in the 1960s and 70s, my grandfather in Maine would send me a check for my birthday and Christmas. It was a ritual for me to have to open the envelope, write a thank you note, and then my dad would mail the check along with a deposit slip and the savings Passbook(!), to a bank in Maine (not near my grandfather, long story) for deposit. That account was closed when I graduated from high school; I deposited subsequent checks into my local NJ account.

by Anonymousreply 263April 3, 2019 2:56 PM

I'm 43, only write checks now since I had my auto pay hacked and information stolen. Took a long time to straighten out everything.

by Anonymousreply 264April 3, 2019 3:18 PM

I’m annoyed by simpletons here who bray like donkeys about “never writing checks because it is primitive”, when all that means is that their financial life is very simple. My contractor and house keeper only take checks and cash. I have other such bills as well that are less frequent, but still occasional.

And those of you feeling superior for using debit cards - they’re find until you can find banks willing to issue you credit cards, but once you do, ditch the debit cards (and the superior attitudes). Debit cards do not provide the purchase protection provided by credit cards, nor the long list of other benefits.

It’s ok to be financially naive but some of you are so proud of yourselves for being so, and that is really boggling.

by Anonymousreply 265April 3, 2019 3:32 PM

Debit and credit card protection varies depending on the country of your residence and issue. For purchases under £100 here in the UK a debit card offers greater protection because of the 'Chargeback' scheme.

by Anonymousreply 266April 3, 2019 3:51 PM

Maybe I should start a new thread, but I would like to know about the people who claim to never use them. They must never have to pay a plumber, or a contractor, etc. When you attend a wedding or graduation what do you do? Put cash in an envelope? For weddings , birthdays, graduations, etc...I like a check so I never have to wonder if the person actually got the money (especially when you don't get a thank you card - but that's another issue).

by Anonymousreply 267April 3, 2019 3:59 PM

R267 when you wire someone money, you don't ever have to wonder if that person received it, unlike an envelope with cash or a check that can easily get lost or stolen.

by Anonymousreply 268April 3, 2019 4:02 PM

Thanks R235 and R237! I see how it works now.

R238 No need to be rude. The American system is confusing and terribly inconvenient. Why go through the hassle of visiting each individual website to pay cell phone, utilities and other bills when you can just pay ALL of the bills through one site – your bank, by simply entering the amounts and the reference codes. Even easier is to set up automatic withdrawals for recurring payments. You don’t need to balance a check book or make any calculations. I travel a lot and I like not having to remember when each payment is due. Totally hassle-free.

by Anonymousreply 269April 3, 2019 4:05 PM

I actually get quite a few checks, rebates and refunds about once or twice a month. Because I'm never near one of my credit union branches I just mail it to them with a deposit slip I've filled out. For years I would drop it off in their nighttime drop box but I finally got to lazy to drive all the way out there just for that, so I mail it. Never had one lost.

Did have some bills I sent get lost because some dipshit lit a mailbox on fire and everyone's mail was lost. The post office sent me a copy of the little bits of envelope that were left behind that had enough identifying info on them to let them know who sent it.

by Anonymousreply 270April 3, 2019 4:06 PM

R241 I’ll ask again. What red tape? What legal issues? And what does the size of the country or its population have to do with the implementation of ‘advance’ technology? You think a simple bank transfer requires advance technology? Russia is huge and even they have mastered the 'advance' art of online banking.

by Anonymousreply 271April 3, 2019 4:07 PM

Because no one should be naive enough to trust companies to handle automatic withdrawals properly, R269.

Mistakes, glitches, hacking and malevolence should be enough to make ANYONE shy away from automatic bill pay.

by Anonymousreply 272April 3, 2019 4:07 PM

those posters never use checks coz they are still living in mommy's basement! no need to pay rent lol

by Anonymousreply 273April 3, 2019 4:07 PM

R268 Aren't prepaid debit cards and used for family gifts in the US? Just email the pin number or send it separately.

If a plumber doesn't have a bank account that I can send a payment to I'm not sure that I want him messing with the pipes.

by Anonymousreply 274April 3, 2019 4:08 PM

yes, but wire transfers cost money, it's cheaper to send money by mail, just send it via certified mail and they will get it. the person who receives wire transfers gets a incoming transfer fee as well, it's like 15 bucks, certified mail is like 4 bucks.

by Anonymousreply 275April 3, 2019 4:10 PM

[quote]Why go through the hassle of visiting each individual website to pay cell phone, utilities and other bills when you can just pay ALL of the bills through one site – your bank, by simply entering the amounts and the reference codes.

Paying bills online through your bank is available and widely used in the US. Some people just like to go to the individual websites. It's just a matter of personal preference.

by Anonymousreply 276April 3, 2019 4:10 PM

R272 There is a small chance of a glitch or mistake happening. You might as well not leave your house because you might get hit by a car.

I wonder how you get paid. Does your employer send you a check in the mail to avoid hacking and glitches? Honest question.

by Anonymousreply 277April 3, 2019 4:10 PM

It's been years since I've had a repair person that doesn't take a card. Or a contractor.

I give the cleaning lady and gardener cash.

by Anonymousreply 278April 3, 2019 4:11 PM

[quote]They must never have to pay a plumber, or a contractor, etc.

I pay repair companies with a credit card, but I always get a full receipt from them for services rendered at the time of service, then a bill mailed later. Never had a problem. Why would you need a check? You have the credit card payment on record and their bill, so what extra protection does a paper check give?

by Anonymousreply 279April 3, 2019 4:11 PM

R248 Yes, the banks here really don’t charge a fee. How else would people pay their bills? Send a check with a pigeon?

by Anonymousreply 280April 3, 2019 4:11 PM

At least where I bank, as long a you maintain an account with a minimum balance they give a free safety deposit box, and things like wire transfers or cashier's checks are free.

by Anonymousreply 281April 3, 2019 4:15 PM

[quote] R279: Why would you need a check?

The Contractors I’ve used rarely take anything but cash and checks. I don’t ask. I assume it is because they don’t pay income taxes on it, but it’s not my business.

by Anonymousreply 282April 3, 2019 4:22 PM

[quote]They must never have to pay a plumber, or a contractor, etc.

Just had a ton of work done in my house, so let’s see if I can answer your question:

Plumber—credit card

Electrician—Credit card

Painter—Online check

Post-construction cleanup company—credit card.

HVAC—credit card

by Anonymousreply 283April 3, 2019 4:25 PM

If your contractor takes a check, he is stupid if he's not paying taxes. Cash is another matter. I always ask everyone if I can get a better price with cash.

by Anonymousreply 284April 3, 2019 4:31 PM

Why do banks charge a fee for wire transfers? Doesn't it scare away potential customers?

by Anonymousreply 285April 3, 2019 4:34 PM

I love how people still go into the bank to deposit checks! LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!

by Anonymousreply 286April 3, 2019 5:31 PM

[quote] Why do banks charge a fee for wire transfers? Doesn't it scare away potential customers?

It's a handling fee - unless it's done with an automated system, there is usually some research and routing necessary to make a wire transfer, especially if it's an international transfer & includes correspondent banks.

by Anonymousreply 287April 3, 2019 5:32 PM

yes, I still go to my bank to deposit checks, I love the human interactions. I love chatting with the bank managers, if you guys insist on doing everything online and shit, then in near future, all these tellers would be out of jobs! Do you want robots to take over?

by Anonymousreply 288April 3, 2019 5:35 PM

Meanwhile, the bank tellers see R288 coming and roll their eyes at one another.

"Shit, it's R288 again! I'm going on lunch break."

by Anonymousreply 289April 3, 2019 5:40 PM

R288 it's already happening anyway. I'm curious, do you still have cashiers in America or do you scan groceries yourselves?

by Anonymousreply 290April 3, 2019 5:42 PM

Around 2,900 bank branches have closed in the UK within the past 3 years.

I'd blame Brexit but it wouldn't be true, they have been closing branches for over 20 years.

by Anonymousreply 291April 3, 2019 5:43 PM

Looks like it's 13,000 branches closed in the past 30 years..

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by Anonymousreply 292April 3, 2019 5:49 PM

it's good to develop a good relationship with your bank, esp if you are a business owner.

Of course we still have cashiers in America, I am not scanning groceries myself. There are self check out machines in CVS, I do use them to dump all my change in...very useful but other than that, I prefer humans.

by Anonymousreply 293April 3, 2019 5:49 PM

It never occurred to me to ask the small time plumber who works out of his house if he has the ability to receive payment by credit card. Even if he did, wouldn't he prefer a check to avoid the 3% the card company takes?

by Anonymousreply 294April 3, 2019 5:50 PM

these small biz have to pay credit card processing fees, and if you pay via credit card, he's probably passing the charge to you. If you pay by check or cash, it will be cheaper.

by Anonymousreply 295April 3, 2019 5:59 PM

I live in a small town in the country -- the people at my local bank know me and it's invaluable; there have been times when they've covered me with overdrafts, they've cashed checks for me when I didn't have any ID, etc etc. Having a personal relationship with a bank is an excellent thing.

by Anonymousreply 296April 3, 2019 6:05 PM

R178 that's exactly why the last wallet I purchased has shields built into it to keep anyone from scanning your cards inside.

by Anonymousreply 297April 3, 2019 6:19 PM

I Venmo my housekeeper and lawn people. It sounds like some of you are afraid of your own shadows.

by Anonymousreply 298April 3, 2019 6:50 PM

I’ve written 4 checks since the beginning of the year, in addition to checks for my housekeeper: my attorney, City excise tax, a COD Delivery, and a contractor. There are no other options unless I want to pay a “convenience fee”, which is for their convenience, not mine. I do not pay cash, or I’d have to be going to the bank frequently. As it is, I go to my bank once or twice a year, usually for other reasons, and I withdraw $200 at a time, and that lasts me forever.

by Anonymousreply 299April 3, 2019 6:56 PM

I use credit cards as often as possible to pay merchants, and then use my brokerage firm’s Bill-Pay system to pay my credit cards, mortgage, Condo Fee, and other bills, when possible.

I will not pay a fee to pay a bill. That’s for chumps.

I have to hire a crane every few years as my stairs cannot accommodate a couch, refrigerator, box spring, and so forth. They offer a $50 discount for paying cash, so I pay them cash. Not that they’re laundering money or anything.

My electric company is my only regular biller who refuses to take a credit card. I pay them through my brokerage firm’s Bill-Pay system. I wish they had to wait for the check to pass through the antiquated clearing system, but apparently the payment is recorded then treated like an e-payment and is no sand in their gears.

by Anonymousreply 300April 3, 2019 6:57 PM

I pay my bills through my credit union website. If the payee doesn't have an electronic connection with them, they actually print out a check and mail it for me free of charge.

by Anonymousreply 301April 3, 2019 6:58 PM

My primary contractor only takes checks and cash. So, I pay him with a check.

R283, what are you implying, I should search for another contractor just so I can avoid writing him a check? That’s truly, well, just stupid, really stupid.

by Anonymousreply 302April 3, 2019 7:01 PM

Is this thread still living in the 20th century??

R288 are the old ladies I'm stuck waiting behind when I have things I actually NEED a teller for.

If I ever have to send a monetary gift, I use this thing called a GIFT CARD. It can be store specific or plain old cash.

As for being "hacked", I have a credit-monitoring service.

I've had two issues: once when I lost a credit card in public. I didn't notice, but had email alerts the next morning from my bank about "strange charges". I confirmed they weren't me, and they cancelled the card and wiped them.

The second: I was in a car and got a call from my bank. "Did you just buy sporting goods on the other side of the country?" NOPE. Cancelled, wiped.

The one thing I won't do is auto-pay. I like the ritual of doing it myself and don't want to get hit with a late fee because of a glitch.

by Anonymousreply 303April 3, 2019 7:14 PM

R298, no, as for myself, I don’t like to pay fees for the privilege of paying a bill. Youngsters don’t know that this “service” is a scam.

by Anonymousreply 304April 3, 2019 7:20 PM

Water bill. My city charges a fee for processing a credit/bank card.

by Anonymousreply 305April 3, 2019 7:23 PM

We have both self-scan and regular clerk checkout depending on the store.

by Anonymousreply 306April 3, 2019 7:58 PM

If I'm getting a few items (one bag worth), I do self-checkout. If I'm going SHOPPING, I do the clerk

by Anonymousreply 307April 3, 2019 8:02 PM

[quote]Hey fellow DLers, there is a new scam...

Are you posting from 2001?

[quote]The one thing I won't do is auto-pay. I like the ritual of doing it myself and don't want to get hit with a late fee because of a glitch.

Funny how for the same reason we do opposite things. I set up auto-pay (not direct debit mind you) because I don’t want to forget a payment to a card or something and get a late fee.

by Anonymousreply 308April 3, 2019 8:04 PM

R308, R303 here. I had that happen once (missed a credit card payment because I forgot). Called my bank and apologized and they waived the interest fee because it was my first time and I paid as soon as I remembered. Now I have a weekly alert on my phone for Check Bills.

by Anonymousreply 309April 3, 2019 8:14 PM

I'm surprised that half the people on this thread even use the internet

by Anonymousreply 310April 3, 2019 11:16 PM

R303 gift cards are such a trash gift and are such a RACKET by big business. They got your money and probably profit in millions every year on unused balances.

My sister got us a $50 visa prepaid gift card for Christmas (as well as an amazon one) and we haven’t even used the VISA since it’s such a fucking pain to use. If the balance doesn’t cover the transactions some place just reject it (rather than eat the balance and then you have a remainder still due) so you have to explain how to use the damn thing or just end up paying with your own money anyway.

My mom has a million unused gift cards; she gave me like $60 in Starbucks cards her coworkers had given her because she doesn’t drink it.

Just put a $50 bill in a gift envelope. Or a check. I can just use my phone to deposit that and spend how I want.

by Anonymousreply 311April 3, 2019 11:33 PM

You know there are sites that buy unused gift cards? Welcome to the future!

by Anonymousreply 312April 3, 2019 11:37 PM

I've had credit cards since the early 70's and only once (in the last year) have I had an issue with someone trying to make a purchase using my number. I got an email and a text from my Mastercard issuer asking if a particular set of purchases were made by me. Someone was trying to buy $900.00+ on the Best Buy website. They had already put a hold on the purchase so everything was fine. They canceled my existing card and had a new one in my hands 2 days later. Since no one has access to my credit cards I can only surmise my account number was in one of the mass data breaches that seem to happen constantly.

by Anonymousreply 313April 3, 2019 11:53 PM

Once I witnessed someone trying to use stolen credit cards to buy gift cards. I was trying to buy coffee at my duane reade store but they didn't have it so I went to a few around the neighborhood, as you know, there is one every couple of blocks. I saw the same man, using a credit card buy gift card and some small item. He was looking nervous. I saw him at 2 different duane reade stores. same MO.

by Anonymousreply 314April 4, 2019 12:33 AM

What the fuck is a "duane reade" store?

by Anonymousreply 315April 4, 2019 12:35 AM

It's like a Walgreens only it's in New York.

by Anonymousreply 316April 4, 2019 12:36 AM

Never heard of it. REALLY stupid name.

by Anonymousreply 317April 4, 2019 12:37 AM

R315 an eldergay who still mails in checks to the bank and has no idea how to google

by Anonymousreply 318April 4, 2019 12:37 AM

R311 In the UK you can withdraw the cash from prepaid Mastercards. at an ATM. Not such a trash gift here.

by Anonymousreply 319April 4, 2019 12:55 AM

and Visa.

by Anonymousreply 320April 4, 2019 12:57 AM

[quote] R311: Just put a $50 bill in a gift envelope. Or a check. I can just use my phone to deposit that and spend how I want.

Checks as gifts are better because gift cards and cash can get stolen or lost. Also, when your nieces or nephews don’t cash the check until March, never mind they never thank you, you know they’re too old for gifts of money and no longer need it.

by Anonymousreply 321April 4, 2019 1:06 AM

When I get gift cards there are never any unused balances. I blow through that shit in five minutes.

by Anonymousreply 322April 4, 2019 1:20 AM

Exactly R322. And if it's for a store I never go to, I sell it.

by Anonymousreply 323April 4, 2019 1:26 AM

r323 even if it's a store I never go to, I'll still find something. I had a gift certificate to a Hallmark store and I bought a snowglobe, a desklamp (that I didn't really need) and a Darth Vader ornament for my Christmas tree. I love spending money that's not mine!

by Anonymousreply 324April 4, 2019 1:33 AM

Hallmark store? Dear God!

by Anonymousreply 325April 4, 2019 1:36 AM

I know, but it was free!

by Anonymousreply 326April 4, 2019 1:37 AM

I personally don't mind the fee. You have to pay fees for everything else, so I don't mind paying one to pay my bills online. You have to pay for a stamp, if you were mailing the payment, and checks aren't free. I think it's all a wash.

by Anonymousreply 327April 4, 2019 1:42 AM

Here you go, dear

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 328April 4, 2019 1:46 AM

This isn’t about what to DO with unused gift cards.

It’s about why even gift them in the first place when you can just write a CHECK.

by Anonymousreply 329April 4, 2019 1:49 AM

Because GRANDPA at R329 It's the same damn thing.

by Anonymousreply 330April 4, 2019 1:52 AM

I just took a call at 8:30 this evening from a friend begging for me to loan him some money for tomorrow. I told him I didn't have that much in the house right now, and I have a full day planned for my job tomorrow, with a number of conference calls. So he asked if I could write him a check, and I did.

To be honest, I hate writing checks, but sometimes there isn't much choice. I used to work in my company's finance area, and I stop-paid and reissued lost checks all day long. It's amazing how many checks get lost or stolen.

by Anonymousreply 331April 4, 2019 1:55 AM

I DO, I DO!

What do I win?

by Anonymousreply 332April 4, 2019 2:00 AM

Always keep some cash at home. We had a blackout several years ago, and ATMs were all down. Gas pumps too.

by Anonymousreply 333April 4, 2019 2:01 AM

[quote] R327: ...You have to pay fees for everything else, so I don't mind paying one to pay my bills online. You have to pay for a stamp, if you were mailing the payment, and checks aren't free.

R327, no, please! You sound like a nice young person, so take advice from Mr. Brontosaurus 🦕.

A [italic] repeating [/italic] fee has a way of eating into your savings, even if not high. And I understand we’re writing about fees that are much higher than the price of stamps! Plus, I’ve never paid for a check in my life. I’m not even clear what that means.

In addition, when you learn frugal financial dealings, which I refer to as “being a good consumer”, it carries over into the rest of your life - you learn to be a good consumer. Remember, it’s lot of other people’s job to take money away from you, warranted or not.

Partially because of this, I have always had money to spend on weekends in PTown, plus a week mid-Summer, plus a Winter vacation in Florida or Mexico or California. When on vacation, I don’t watch my spending, because I’m on vacation. I have money for what I want, because I’m not blowing it, simply because people ask for it.

by Anonymousreply 334April 4, 2019 2:16 AM

Paying cash and writing checks. No thanks. That's antiquated.

by Anonymousreply 335April 4, 2019 2:19 AM

I should add, I don’t use checks because they are free. But I don’t pay fees to pay bills. They should pay ME a fee, for me to pay my bill.

I have an account at a credit union and it’s got free checking. My brokerage account has a free bill pay system with it. My credit cards all pay cash-back, and charge no fee. Most years, I make $2-$3 thousand on cash back. Banks shouldn’t be charging you a fee!

by Anonymousreply 336April 4, 2019 2:24 AM

I pay all my bills online (credit cards, utils) and there's no fee for it.

by Anonymousreply 337April 4, 2019 2:26 AM

R334, insufferable. Die in a PTown grease fire!

by Anonymousreply 338April 4, 2019 2:31 AM

Go kite a check, R338!

by Anonymousreply 339April 4, 2019 2:34 AM

This thread is the very height of prisspottery.

by Anonymousreply 340April 4, 2019 2:35 AM

[quote]And another thing: I don't want to join any "rewards" or "cash back" or "points" programs, thank you. Those are scams from hell.

Actually points programs are not scams. The credit card award programs are great, especially if you frequent the stores which are participating in the rewards such as Best Buy, Home Depot, drugstores etc.

The Costco Citi credit card combined with the Costco Executive card is also great, the cash back from both cards more than pays for the Costco membership fee.

I also use the points card from Rite Aid, I once saved $28 on $50 worth of items.

by Anonymousreply 341April 4, 2019 3:22 AM

[quote] R14: My HOA charges a 5% 'convenience' fee if you pay online or by credit card, so they're getting checks as long as checks exist.

Wow! 5% is abusive! 1%, I can understand. This is just a money maker for the property manager and is obscene. My property manager prefers to grab the fee from the owner’s bank account. Instead, I send it from my own bill-pay system, like all my bills. Payment with a credit card is charged a fee, which I understand. I forget how much.

I don’t like giving anyone access to my bank. A gym once neglected or refused or forgot to stop charging when I quit. My bank told me that once granted the right, they had the right forever. So, I never did that again.

by Anonymousreply 342April 4, 2019 4:01 AM

[quote]A gym once neglected or refused or forgot to stop charging when I quit. My bank told me that once granted the right, they had the right forever.

That's bullshit. A reputable bank would cancel that card and issue you a new one.

by Anonymousreply 343April 4, 2019 4:05 AM

[quote]A gym once neglected or refused or forgot to stop charging when I quit. My bank told me that once granted the right, they had the right forever.

I really do wonder how some of you are making it through life. Some of these stories/excuses are absurd.

by Anonymousreply 344April 4, 2019 4:09 AM

[quote] R13: And another thing: I don't want to join any "rewards" or "cash back" or "points" programs, thank you. Those are scams from hell.

I once thought this too, but it’s not a scam, as long as it’s a standard card and you pay your balance in full by the due-date. For example, the Discover Card. It pays a varied amount of cash back, up tp to 5%. I made, maybe about $1200 last year, IIRC.

I also once thought the airline frequent flyer programs were a scam too, but they aren’t, though these days, you might get a better deal using the magic of the internet, but until “recently”, FF miles were great. They cost nothing and 25,000 miles would fly you to Florida or California. I think it’s 35,000 now, but still! it costs you nothing, and may possibly get you a free flight.

by Anonymousreply 345April 4, 2019 4:16 AM

[quote] I really do wonder how some of you are making it through life. Some of these stories/excuses are absurd.

I'm curious if we have people here who believe ATMs are evil, and still write their check for over the purchase amount at the grocery store to get extra cash if the bank isn't open?

by Anonymousreply 346April 4, 2019 9:26 AM

[quote]Because GRANDPA at [R329] It's the same damn thing.

I would argue gift cards are even better. With a gift card, I get it in the mail, go to the store and they take it. In R329’s scenario, I have to go to the bank, cash the check (which, if Pops isn’t local will cause a hold on my account in the same amount), then go to the store with the cash. Get outta here with all that.

by Anonymousreply 347April 4, 2019 12:53 PM

[quote]What do I win?

A dinosaur lapel pin for your zoot suit.

by Anonymousreply 348April 4, 2019 12:55 PM

[quote]prisspottery

Yet another word I like and am adopting.

by Anonymousreply 349April 4, 2019 12:57 PM

[quote]That's bullshit. A reputable bank would cancel that card and issue you a new one.

It’s not a card that can be canceled if you give them your routing number and account number and authorize them to make withdrawals. You’d have to cancel that checking account and that’s a headache all its own.

by Anonymousreply 350April 4, 2019 1:01 PM

I pay my landlord every month with a check, also pay my estimated taxes with a check since im self employed, and any medical bills I don't pay right in the office I have to send a check.

by Anonymousreply 351April 4, 2019 1:03 PM

My car payment is done this way. It is a automatically deducted each month via my routing number and account number. Each month the car company emails the statement, there in bold type to cancel this automatic withdrawal go to www.... or call... So R350, I'm not sure what kind of shady banks and companies you're dealing with, but the rest of us, here in the real world, don't have that issue.

by Anonymousreply 352April 4, 2019 1:07 PM

[quote] As for being "hacked"

The scare quotes are to imply that hacking doesn't really happen much, and when it does, it's no big deal. Sure, seems legit. I totally trust someone who says it's no big deal if your debit card gets hacked.

[quote]"Did you just buy sporting goods on the other side of the country?" NOPE. Cancelled, wiped.

It's a grand old time when you have to wait for a new debit card and not at all an inconvenience, I'm sure.

The best weekend I've had recently is when one debit card was closed down by Capital One because DL's payment service wouldn't stop withdrawing payment even after I cancelled, and the newbie on the phone just shut down the card because he didn't know what else to do. Forgot to tell me he was doing it and I didn't know until late Friday night when I tried to use my card. They weren't even going to send me a new one.

So I went to use my local bank debit card and it didn't work, either. Monday I called only to be told THAT card was hacked the prior Tuesday and they shut it down, and didn't bother to let me know.

Didn't lose a dime but it was the biggest pain in the ass. It was pure luck I had a credit card on me when both debit cards were declined, because usually I don't.

If you're okay with things like that happening and it doesn't bother you, fine, but the rest of us are less cavalier about our money.

by Anonymousreply 353April 4, 2019 1:44 PM

What do you mean you've never paid for a check? You have to buy books of checks. I've never known a bank to give them out for free, except maybe a few of the so-called counter checks when you first open an account.

by Anonymousreply 354April 4, 2019 1:50 PM

[quote]a few of the so-called counter checks when you first open an account.

Is that what those are called?! If so, you just solved a HUGE mystery for me r354! I don’t want to derail the thread because it’s a long story.

But THANK YOU!

by Anonymousreply 355April 4, 2019 2:08 PM

After going through this whole thread, what I find more astonishing than anything are the posters who are apoplectic because some other posters don't handle their finances exactly the way THEY do. Who gives a fuck if someone wants to write checks for their bills, or prefers not to use a debit card? Why are some of you so angry about something that doesn't affect your own lives in the slightest?

DL is so strange sometimes.

by Anonymousreply 356April 4, 2019 2:28 PM

Who pays for checks? I just ordered a new box from my bank Chase, and they were free.

by Anonymousreply 357April 4, 2019 2:41 PM

R356, I don’t understand people who make their lives harder than they have to be, based on what is essentially nonsense. I am totally a “you do you” type of person, but the misinformation and myths shock me.

by Anonymousreply 358April 4, 2019 2:51 PM

Washington Mutual (WAMU) gave free checks to customers, which Chase later honored until a couple of years ago.

Not sure if my credit union accounts even offer checks? When I opened the second account the rep said few, if any, customers used them.

by Anonymousreply 359April 4, 2019 3:06 PM

[quote] R354: What do you mean you've never paid for a check? You have to buy books of checks...

No, I never pay for checks. I have a checking account at a credit union, and also at a brokerage account, and neither charge for checks. You have to get away from the big banks like Bank of America, etc. Look for a credit union. Usually you qualify to get an account there if you work at a certain company, or live in a certain area. At least, in New England, that’s how it has worked for me.

I still have my “student account” with BoA and it has no fees with a $300 balance, I keep it for the free ATMs, though that’s an obsolete need now. My ATM cards have long covered fees at “foreign” banks.

by Anonymousreply 360April 4, 2019 3:36 PM

[quote]It’s not a card that can be canceled if you give them your routing number and account number and authorize them to make withdrawals. You’d have to cancel that checking account and that’s a headache all its own.

A bank can put a stop payment on it, then. Just like they would with a check. And you're an absolute idiot to give your acct. and routing # for some gym membership, or any other things like that. You shouldn't even do that to pay your bills. Give them the card # instead.

Honest to god, I don't know how some of you are able to function in the modern world.

by Anonymousreply 361April 4, 2019 3:40 PM

How does it work with ATM fee reimbursement? I’ve got a couple accounts that say they do that, but have been too lazy to call to ask “how?”. Plus, I rarely use cash, anyway, and long ago figured out a work-around. My younger self would have been all over that, and been an expert in it, but I am not.

Anyone know?

by Anonymousreply 362April 4, 2019 3:41 PM

[quote] R361: ...And you're an absolute idiot to give your acct. and routing # for some gym membership, or any other things like that. You shouldn't even do that to pay your bills. Give them the card # instead....Honest to god, I don't know how some of you are able to function in the modern world

Your bank account number and bank routing number are actually pre-printed on every check, so everyone you’ve ever paid with a check has it, if they care.

You might try being less judgmental. It will serve you well in life.

by Anonymousreply 363April 4, 2019 3:48 PM

[quote]That credit/debit fear is something promoted by credit protection companies to drum up business. It does happen but it's largely overblown.

Our town has had several hacking problems in the last six months. Skimmers were put on gas station pumps as well as in a couple of stores, the Click2Gov service our town uses for payments was breached and the town didn't download the patch in a timely manner, and there was a spate of identity fraud among college students where they suspect someone hacked into the student union bookstore website. I just checked and several local banks have alerts due to increased card and number theft in recent months.

Over the years I've had cards shut down because Pizza Hut, Hastings and Walgreen's had breaches of the credit card scanners themselves.

I'm legitimately shocked that so many on this thread are saying it rarely happens. Is it a geographical thing, more prevalent in some parts of the country than others?

by Anonymousreply 364April 4, 2019 3:51 PM

[quote]Your bank account number and bank routing number are actually pre-printed on every check, so everyone you’ve ever paid with a check has it, if they care.

I've never paid with a check. Use your debit or credit.

by Anonymousreply 365April 4, 2019 3:52 PM

[quote]You might try being less judgmental. It will serve you well in life.

That's actually one of the reasons why I've been successful in life.

by Anonymousreply 366April 4, 2019 3:55 PM

Bronto R362

Depends on your account. I have a checking linked to investment account that automatically reimburses ATM fees from other machines. One can have an account with fee reimbursement provided one maintains a minimum balance, minimum transactions that month, etc.

by Anonymousreply 367April 4, 2019 4:03 PM

Thank you, R367

by Anonymousreply 368April 4, 2019 4:17 PM

I worked at a bank for years.

Yes, debit cards and credit cards can be compromised, but by far, the most fraud sensitive payment instruments were always checks. The percentage of loss or incidents of fraud were always a few percentage points higher, and the highest within the bank.

Why? For a lot of reasons.

- If a family member or caretaker takes a check, you may not notice, since the remaining checks are still there, whereas a missing debit/credit card would be obvious.

- Checks go through the mail more often and for longer periods of time - mail, which in and of itself is a point where fraud or theft can take place (sometimes by some rando stealing from mailboxes, sometimes from postal workers with sticky fingers)

They're easier to intercept, easy to wash off ink and rewrite for one's own payment, and easier to do all that shit without getting caught - while point of sale debit/credit purchases can be in *some* ways easier to track (or you can see cameras inside a store, etc.)

Banks hate checks, but because America is still in the 1970s on many fronts - and is resisting the move to cashless - they have to continue processing them.

by Anonymousreply 369April 4, 2019 4:20 PM

R369, what about money orders? I still see people at check cashing places buying them.

by Anonymousreply 370April 4, 2019 4:24 PM

America won't be cashless until the Boomers are gone.

by Anonymousreply 371April 4, 2019 4:27 PM

Money orders are a mixed bag, R370. If you're talking about banks handling them, they'd prefer to issue a cashier's check or handle their own money order. But they process them for their business clients.

The fraud amounts are lower overall, but tend to be more labor intensive - you get people insisting their paid with their $9.34 money order but it turns out someone stole it, etc. A bit of a headache.

Personally, I recommend either getting a MO from one's bank (or, if the amount is over $500, a cashier's check) or from the USPS. I cast a wary side eye at the grocery store/dollar store ones.

by Anonymousreply 372April 4, 2019 4:28 PM

Bank Person - what is your opinion of why Americans are so behind the times and insist on not moving to cashless? Other countries have done it just fine. Even the older people in other countries have switched over. When I was in Sweden even the old grannies were paying for things with their cards and phones.

by Anonymousreply 373April 4, 2019 4:33 PM

What do you think it is that makes American banking system so prone to hacking? In Europe everyone uses online banking and pays with a debit card. People hardly ever carry cash with them. Yet I've never heard of anyone being hacked the way you describe it happening in the States.

On the other hand, Americans hardly ever wire money or use debit cards (if this thread is to be believed), but those few who do seem to to get hacked routinely or experience sort sort of glitch or malfunction. It's just mind-boggling that a country that sent people to the Moon (allegedly) and manages to keep Pentagon information from being hacked cannot figure out how to protect bank customers. Can someone explain this?

by Anonymousreply 374April 4, 2019 4:35 PM

r374 most Americans use debit cards and do wire transfers. As has been said before, you can't judge American banking habits by the old fossils on this thread.

by Anonymousreply 375April 4, 2019 4:37 PM

I don't use checks much myself, but I'm always amazed at the people who willfully deny that most institutions - including the federal government - have had multiple serious data breaches that have made it abundantly clear they CANNOT keep your data safe. Anybody remember the big Equifax data breach from a few months back? Go look up where they think that data went. The cashless society so many here are champing at the bit for has some rather scary drawbacks some of you don't seem to have given the slightest thought to (hint: go look up the details of what caused the financial meltdown of 2008. Then think about what could happen if you had no physical way to lay your hands on your own money, because it's all electronically controlled). Convenience is wonderful, but it can have consequences.

And R371 needs to educate himself about the fringe economy in this country.

by Anonymousreply 376April 4, 2019 4:38 PM

To answer both R373 and R374 -

I think the US differs from many European countries, for example, because aside from the major banks, there's usually a low cost alternative, like a "postbank" where money can be transferred/sent. There's been a lot less suspicion of electronic or cashless systems, because either the local, state or federal equivalents in those countries are in many cases running/managing those systems or providing oversight to a third party, and requiring that they include low income citizens.

Wiring money and multiple systems of transfer were established when most of Europe had different currencies and many of those relationships are still in place, which made adaptation easier.

There's a few places resisting cashless. Some of it is individual resistance to electronics and/or distrust of the institutions (see this entire thread). Some is habit - older people are unwilling to change or adapt new systems.

The one area that I feel there's a legitimate debate here in the US is the new trend to ***BAN*** cashless stores. I live in a big city and have seen a few of these kinds of place. To me, it makes sense for the safety of the store (they are less likely to be robbed). But we don't have a low income way to be cashless that is no cost or very low cost to the user. We have a lot of poor people who, if they've bounced a check or two, may be on ChekSystems and unable to have an account. They may have to use a currency exchange or check cashing store. Or their company pays them on a prepaid card, or something like that....all of those things have a cost.

So I think if the US wants people to adapt to cashless, they need to make it more accessible to everyone, and ease people's concerns. And right now, the costs of doing those two things outweigh the profits the companies want to reap, so it will take more time before it happens.

by Anonymousreply 377April 4, 2019 4:50 PM

R377 Interesting analysis. Why do you think hacking is so easy in the States?

This cashless ban is alarming for me as a tourist. I'd rather pay with a card than carry wads of cash with me.

by Anonymousreply 378April 4, 2019 5:03 PM

Just on the subject of fraud...I once bought a one ounce gold coin from the mint as a collectible. The package was sealed as usual, but there was nothing in the box. I could tell by the weight. I never should have opened it, but did. The mint was a peach and was no problem, they sent me a replacement, but it was freaky. It felt like a violation.

by Anonymousreply 379April 4, 2019 5:03 PM

R379, do you think the fraud was at the mint or whichever outlet delivered it? Personally, I dread when I order something and I know the USPS will deliver. Most of my issues has been with them and you know you're fucked because they do nothing about it

by Anonymousreply 380April 4, 2019 5:09 PM

have* been

by Anonymousreply 381April 4, 2019 5:09 PM

Checks are free at my Credit Union, but I don't use their checks because they only provide checks that have carbons between each check. I HATE that. It makes each check book twice as thick, plus the checks are just plain and ugly. I buy my checks from a 3rd party check printer. One box of checks lasts me for years.

by Anonymousreply 382April 4, 2019 5:15 PM

A big part of the problem with hacking in the US is surely lack of technical savvy on the part of companies and employees. Follow a few tech accounts on Twitter who deal with hacks and data theft and you'll be shocked at how bad it is, not just in the US but worldwide.

It's also that companies don't want to spend the money on security because they're greedy as hell. They also hire people with no training to deal with fraud, tech problems, hacking, theft, etc. and pay them nothing, then treat them like serfs.

Who would want a cashless society with a whole bunch of Gilligans and/or Kim Davises in charge of our data and finances?

by Anonymousreply 383April 4, 2019 5:24 PM

I don't even use cash, never mind a check. I have never written one, believe it or not. Then again I am a Millennial, so maybe that's why. I'm of a different generation. Most people my age just use debit or credit cards, or wireless cash transactions like Vipps (I'm Norwegian, I have no idea what the American version is).

by Anonymousreply 384April 4, 2019 5:26 PM

[quote]Anybody remember the big Equifax data breach from a few months back? Go look up where they think that data went.

Shit, I've been hacked so many times I might as well not even use passwords. Remember when China hacked the US government? I was working for the VA at the time and they got my name, SS#, fingerprints, direct deposit information, and results of my security clearance, plus a ton of personal info.

I'm also the one who said there's been a lot of debit and credit card hacking in my city lately.

Then people try to say I'm just some eldertard with major paranoia.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 385April 4, 2019 5:27 PM

R378 Hacking has happened as often as it has here in the US for a few reasons. Mostly at the corporate level.

Most major US companies (in any industry) were far less tech savvy than they ever wanted to admit. Security is improving, but if a company's been hit, it's a sure sign that either they didn't understand what to do to protect their users, OR they just didn't want to spend the money. Because good security and monitoring costs money.

As far as cards being compromised on a card by card level, it took forever to get chip cards here. And individuals can be very sloppy about how and where they use cards, or carry them around in wallets without RFIDs. I always guard my hand when I'm entering my PIN and people have gotten offended about that, but I usually say, "Unless you're paying for this item, it's none of your concern."

by Anonymousreply 386April 4, 2019 5:35 PM

R385 I don't think you're paranoid, from what you described.

But not everyone has that same experience, of course.

by Anonymousreply 387April 4, 2019 5:36 PM

[quote]Anybody remember the big Equifax data breach from a few months back?

Yeah, I got a free year of monitoring when I was hacked. But it's already out there, so I have to keep checking every few months. I put a freeze on my credit.

I always wonder (and I know I could google, but I'm too lazy), are you safer with a common name or an unusual name even after you're hacked. Does it even matter?

by Anonymousreply 388April 4, 2019 5:47 PM

[quote] [R379], do you think the fraud was at the mint or whichever outlet delivered it?

R380, I do not know.

by Anonymousreply 389April 4, 2019 6:13 PM

R353 I use credit cards, not debit, because I'm not an eldergay, and I have multiple ones. When there's an issue with my main card, I switch to the backup.

by Anonymousreply 390April 4, 2019 7:09 PM

USA Is a huge country to implement any system costs a fucking lot. It's not a small dinky trashy European country with a few million people. It's 300 million.

And it's considered DISCRIMINATION if you are only "cashless", the poor people with no credit cards can't eat in your resto.

Some people don't even have bank accounts. They don't trust banks.

Also, I've heard of how people were charged multiple times using those chips cards for 1 transaction. some view this as another way for them to screw the consumer.

by Anonymousreply 391April 4, 2019 7:18 PM

R391 I don't agree with cashless stores, but I also don't agree with cash-only establishments. It's all legal currency. And we are plenty dinky and trashy, let's be fair.

by Anonymousreply 392April 4, 2019 7:36 PM

R391 The population of Europe is 740 million and 90% of European counties use integrated banking systems that interact with each other.

In the UK people with horrible credit (Bankrupt) can open 'Basic Bank Accounts' which provide a chip & pin debit card and payment facilities by law. Nobody can be refused. Pretty sure that it's the same across Europe.

Regulation by governments stops banks from denying people basic services.

by Anonymousreply 393April 4, 2019 7:38 PM

The reason that so few cheques (checks) are used in the UK is also down to their position in our law.

There aren't any consequences to writing a 'dishonoured' (bounced) cheque. If you are the unfortunate recipient of one your only recourse is civil law (which will be expensive). It isn't illegal, the police would not become involved unless it involved a huge amount of cheques and amounted to Fraud.

A signed IOU on the back of a cigarette packet would probably be as much use as a bounced cheque in the UK.

by Anonymousreply 394April 4, 2019 8:10 PM

[quote]This cashless ban is alarming for me as a tourist. I'd rather pay with a card than carry wads of cash with me.

I don’t think you understand.

If they were to ban cashless stores, that means you’d have to pay with something other than cash, such as a debit card, credit card, etc. So even if they did institute it, you wouldn’t need to carry cash as a tourist.

by Anonymousreply 395April 4, 2019 8:27 PM

[quote] R390: [R353] I use credit cards, not debit, because I'm not an eldergay, and I have multiple ones. When there's an issue with my main card, I switch to the backup

Eldergays use credit cards, not debit cards, because debit cards are relatively new. They didn’t exist when I, or other eldergays, were establishing themselves in their first jobs, banks, and “cards”. Maybe you’re an eldergay after all?

by Anonymousreply 396April 4, 2019 8:37 PM

I got a debit card when I went to college. I was mostly responsible with it. I was PISSED when I found out that it did nothing for my credit rating. Fot my first credit card and credit ever since.

by Anonymousreply 397April 4, 2019 8:42 PM

R378, I don’t think hacking is “so easy” the States, necessarily.

If it is at all, maybe because “that’s where the money is?”

Also, the US was slow to adopt chips in cards. Banks preferred to lose a little more money that spend it updating all the cards out there. I think I might still have some credit cards that lack chips, and can be skimmed.

My personal opinion is that, if the US ever went to war with North Korea or Russia, worse than a nuke would be that they would flood the internet with everyone’s financial account login info. It would be like invalidating all the currency in circulation.

by Anonymousreply 398April 4, 2019 8:45 PM

The people worried about hacking and fraud are just like the people who are overly concerned about illegal immigration. It’s just something that’s not going to effect you in any serious way. They thought they found fraud on my card, they sent me a new card. I updated some websites and that was it. Yes, extreme cases of hacking and itdentity theft happen, but your odds are better of being struck by lightning.

by Anonymousreply 399April 4, 2019 8:55 PM

In WWII, the US government issued special bank notes for Hawaii (see link) so that, if it were overrun by the Japanese, they could just invalidate all the currency. They also had special notes used to pay troops in North Africa that are a little more discreet, but also marked so that they could be invalidated if overrun by the Germans.

See if you can spot the special marks on the $20 at the link.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 400April 4, 2019 8:58 PM

That’s awesome info, r400. I never knew that. It’s amazing the stuff we learn here.

by Anonymousreply 401April 4, 2019 9:04 PM

I equate hacking with a plane crash. Relative to the amount of planes in the sky, crashes are exceptionally rare. But when they happen, it’s HUGE news.

Relative to the millions of people who use these cards and the amount of said people who have been hacked is small, but big news.

by Anonymousreply 402April 4, 2019 9:06 PM

[quote]I really do wonder how some of you are making it through life. Some of these stories/excuses are absurd.

I agree, some of the posts here sounds like complaints from young people who are still being bankrolled by their wealthy parents. They are usually the ones who have problems navigating the most simplest of tasks!

Years ago, I had a female work colleague who didn't know how to sew the loose buttons on her coat! She had a very expensive leather coat and the buttons were loose. I informed her, the buttons were unique to the designer, think it was a Versace, that if she lost one, it was doubtful she could replace it. She was dumb a box of rocks and very lazy.

by Anonymousreply 403April 4, 2019 9:08 PM

Here’s a collection of WWII bank notes. The North African notes had a yellow seal. The Imgur page has the exposition.

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by Anonymousreply 404April 4, 2019 9:14 PM

Eventually, even cards will be obsolete. Everybody will just have a chip or they'll use their phone. That's a long way away, though.

by Anonymousreply 405April 4, 2019 9:30 PM

“President Roosevelt, Hawaii has been hacked!”

by Anonymousreply 406April 4, 2019 9:48 PM

To the above poster who claims that Europeans never get hacked---utter BS. British Airways was hacked last year.

For more than two weeks this summer (2018), hackers were inside the systems of British Airways. They took the personal and financial details of customers who made, or changed, bookings on ba.com or its app during that time. Names, email addresses and credit card information were stolen – including card numbers, expiration dates and the three digit CVC code required to authorise payments. Around 380,000 transactions were affected. BA blamed a "sophisticated" group of cybercriminals but didn't give any more details. A post on its website says people should contact their banks, people will be reimbursed and it will pay for a credit checking service.

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by Anonymousreply 407April 4, 2019 10:07 PM

HSBC Bank, the seventh-largest banking and financial services organizations in the world and the largest in Europe, has been breached by hackers. The bank is now sending letters to an undisclosed number of customers notifying them that hackers have their data.

HSBC said it became aware that online accounts were accessed by unauthorized parties sometime between October 4 and October 14, 2018.

HSBC adds (emphasis ours), “The information that may have been accessed includes your full name, mailing address, phone number, email address, date of birth, account numbers, account types, account balances, transaction history, payee account information, and statement history where available.”

The bank provides no details of the breach, such as how the attackers managed to infiltrate its systems and then exfiltrate customer data. It does say, however, that its first action after containing the breach was to enhance the authentication process for HSBC Personal Internet Banking. This suggests the breach may have involved credential stuffing (where large numbers of previously-breached credentials are “stuffed” into login forms until they are potentially matched to an existing account), or a vulnerability in the bank’s two-factor-authentication (2FA) process.

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by Anonymousreply 408April 4, 2019 10:10 PM

Yeah, places get hacked. Nobody is going to burn their credit/debit cards and smartphones and start using checks and cash.

by Anonymousreply 409April 4, 2019 10:18 PM

R391 You keep bringing up the same argument, but I still don’t see how you can implement a system for, let’s say, 67 million people (France) but not for 300 million. It’s a wireless banking system. Are you talking about infrastructure? Extra staff?

by Anonymousreply 410April 4, 2019 10:19 PM

R393 I can confirm. It is a basic service here. Even students with no credit history can open a bank account. I opened my first one when I was 15, I think. I was at school and I had no job.

by Anonymousreply 411April 4, 2019 10:20 PM

I think in the US people with bad credit can open a savings account, but no checking account.

by Anonymousreply 412April 4, 2019 10:22 PM

R408 of course hacking is a possibility in Europe but it doesn't happen as shockingly often as in the States. No one is paranoid or refusing to use debit cards because of it.

by Anonymousreply 413April 4, 2019 10:24 PM

British banks have another layer of protection for online transactions (random letters from your password) on top of the CVV. Obviously you'd need the PIN for in store transactions and that is only stored encrypted on the card chip, not in your transaction info.

by Anonymousreply 414April 4, 2019 10:25 PM

You don't need credit to open a checking account. You just need to NOT have a history of writing bad checks or overdrawing your account.

by Anonymousreply 415April 4, 2019 10:25 PM

Damn, America is savage. You keep preaching about Jesus and Christian values, but it’s every man for himself, huh? Corporations fuck people over and no one says anything? You don’t demand better service and higher security? Third-world countries have staged revolutions for less than this.

I’m curious, though. How come only regular people’s bank accounts get hacked? Do the rich and famous enjoy some extra level of security? And don’t tell me they all write checks.

by Anonymousreply 416April 4, 2019 10:29 PM

Doesn't matter what shit you've done in the UK, everybody is entitled to a Basic (current) checking (but without cheques) account that provides a Visa Debit card and online payment facilities.

by Anonymousreply 417April 4, 2019 10:30 PM

Lack of U. S. PIN is a weakness. American banks seem to have a phobia about pin cards, fearing that folks will use only one or two credit cards, and not theirs. My brother has 1 credit card, and my mother has 2. I have 9 (plus 4 debit cards).

Getting back to the original purpose of this thread regarding paying bills. Most people pay them online in some version, few people actually mail a check.

by Anonymousreply 418April 4, 2019 10:34 PM

[quote] I think in the US people with bad credit can open a savings account, but no checking account.

Just to clarify, there's two things - credit history and account history.

When I was younger - before my days working at a bank - I had mediocre credit and when I moved from where I'd grown up to a larger city, a large bank declined me an account and told me it was because my credit score was not great. My current bank bought that bank, so those bitches can now kiss my ENTIRE ass.....but I digress.

I don't know if banks are still allowed to decline you based on credit score - especially when a checking account is not a revolving line of credit - but they can decline someone for having a negative ChexSystems - which is more of your prior account history with your bank.

I actually had a bad record at one time, to my surprise, and I learned it was because somehow an old account had closed with negative $1.28 or some ridiculously small amount, so I cleared it up quickly. But yes, if you have a lot of negatives, bounced checks, banks with judgements against you....no go for a new account for you.

ChexSystems is almost like a credit report agency for checks, so may be of interest to some of you.

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by Anonymousreply 419April 4, 2019 10:40 PM

R418 what is the advantage of having 9 credit cards instead of 1? Aren't you creating more debt?

by Anonymousreply 420April 4, 2019 10:41 PM

r418 just curious - why on Earth do you need 9 credit cards and 4 debit cards?

by Anonymousreply 421April 4, 2019 10:48 PM

[quote]so those bitches can now kiss my ENTIRE ass.

Yeah, we’re gonna need some overtime.

by Anonymousreply 422April 4, 2019 10:52 PM

People who are overly concerned about shredding documents are in the same category .

by Anonymousreply 423April 4, 2019 11:06 PM

[quote] R416: Damn, America is savage.

Also for R417:

America is a different place so it is different. Poor people get different benefits, and have different hardships than in Europe. I do wish Society was flatter, relative to finances and social benefits, but in a democracy, we don’t all get exactly what we want. Please don’t be the inverse of “the ugly American”.

by Anonymousreply 424April 4, 2019 11:16 PM

I doubt that the US gets hacked more, than elsewhere, but in any event, as a cardholder I’ve had inconvenience, but never been responsible for a cent of any disputed amount.

These days, if you dispute a charge, and it’s not too big, the bank just credits it, without even checking with the merchant. I don’t know where that limit is. Maybe, I’d guess, $25 or so.

by Anonymousreply 425April 4, 2019 11:25 PM

[quote]Eldergays use credit cards, not debit cards, because debit cards are relatively new. They didn’t exist when I, or other eldergays, were establishing themselves in their first jobs, banks, and “cards”. Maybe you’re an eldergay after all?

Speak for yourself. I'm 66 and the reason I won't use a debit card (except at the ATM) is because (1) there are no purchase protections and (2) I don't earn any cashback rewards. So why would anyone use an ATM if they have a credit card and can be responsible with their money?

by Anonymousreply 426April 4, 2019 11:25 PM

[quote]most Americans use debit cards and do wire transfers.

Very few Americans would ever have the need to do a wire transfer except possibly when purchasing a home or sending money abroad.

by Anonymousreply 427April 4, 2019 11:25 PM

For those people who wonder why American society won't adapt to a cashless system, I have two words for you: Metric System.

by Anonymousreply 428April 4, 2019 11:26 PM

R427, I think he might have been referring to electronic transfers in general when he said "wire transfers".

In the US, the term wire transfer usually specifically means a payment transacted over the Fedwire system. As you stated, those are rare for individuals unless you're buying a house (escrow companies generally require a Fedwire for your down payment and closing costs).

Most of the electronic transfers conducted in the US (like online billpay or transfers between your accounts via online banking or phone app, direct deposit from your employer, billpay via a vendor's web site where you "pull" the funds from your bank account, etc.) are via the ACH (Automated Clearing House).

by Anonymousreply 429April 4, 2019 11:33 PM

R428 It took schools teaching both metric & Imperial measurements for a couple of generations before they managed to (sort of) change here in the UK.

Older people (65+) still use Imperial, under 35's only metric and my generation 35-65 can do both.

Europe (all 740 million of us) uses SEPA now instead of Wire Transfer which is instant and carries tiny transaction charges, which the banks always absorb.

by Anonymousreply 430April 4, 2019 11:42 PM

[quote] R428: For those people who wonder why American society won't adapt to a cashless system, I have two words for you: Metric System.

I thought it was because the US had such a strong, independent economy, that it didn’t need to? The Imperial system hasn’t bothered me, to my knowledge. Maybe that will change in the next 20 years, if the EU stays together and China gains strength.

Sorry, Boris, you’re not “in the picture”.

by Anonymousreply 431April 4, 2019 11:47 PM

[quote]I think he might have been referring to electronic transfers in general when he said "wire transfers".

Yes just electronic transfers in general, like bank-to-bank, Venmo, eTransfer etc. Not the old-timey Western Union or whatever.

by Anonymousreply 432April 4, 2019 11:50 PM

I don't use all nine cards equally. The two credit union ones are PIN cards - outside U S as they rarely trigger signatures. I was thinking of closing one visa card, as I rarely fly Alaska Airlines anymore, but it's one of the older ones so I don't want to impact my credit rating by getting rid of it. I only use three or four of my credit cards on a somewhat regular basis.

I pay my bills in full every month, so it's not as though I'm someone with a history of racking up debt.

by Anonymousreply 433April 4, 2019 11:51 PM

When I hear “wire transfer”, I think of the scams that the faux-Nigerians use to try to get you to go to Western Union to send them money for fake reasons. My sense is that, in those cases, you can’t get the money back if it is misdirected.

by Anonymousreply 434April 4, 2019 11:52 PM

Wait. Those are scams? 😫

by Anonymousreply 435April 4, 2019 11:58 PM

I have 11 credit cards. I have cards I only use at United Air, America Air, Delta Air, and Marriott. Then I have a Discover Card, Fidelity Visa, Capital One MC, a Citi MC, a AMEX, and two Chase cards. I keep them out of inertia, and they do have their uses. Except the AMEX. I should get rid of that one.

I get cash back on most of the cards. The airline cards give benefits like free baggage or whatever. The Marriott is my only fee card. It gives a free room per year, and late check out.

by Anonymousreply 436April 5, 2019 12:03 AM

I've never bothered to sign any of my debit/credit cards here in the UK for years because everything is chip & pin.

If a signature request ever turns up (it's happened twice in the past 15 years, when a system has crashed) it's a bit embarrassing, doesn't seem to faze the cashiers though and they accept any squiggle i put.

Bet I'm not alone here in this.

by Anonymousreply 437April 5, 2019 12:06 AM

Old enough, R96, to know better...

by Anonymousreply 438April 5, 2019 12:25 AM

r438 you get all of your transactions on your online statement, and only an idiot would not get a receipt for any kind of service.

by Anonymousreply 439April 5, 2019 12:34 AM

My signature has turned into a squiggle.

by Anonymousreply 440April 5, 2019 12:39 AM

Unfortunately, my dick has too, r440. Isn’t aging wonderful?

by Anonymousreply 441April 5, 2019 12:43 AM

There was a massive Marriott hack last year, over 500 million people exposed.---

Marriott says its guest reservation system has been hacked, potentially exposing the personal information of approximately 500 million guests. The hotel chain said Friday the hack affects its Starwood reservation database, a group of hotels it bought in 2016 that includes the St. Regis, Westin, Sheraton and W Hotels. Marriott said hackers had gained "unauthorized access" to the Starwood reservation system since 2014, but the company only identified the issue last week.

For 327 million people, Marriott says the guests' exposed information includes their names, phone numbers, email addresses, passport numbers, date of birth and arrival and departure information. For millions others, their credit card numbers and card expiration dates were potentially compromised. Marriott warns that it can't confirm if the hackers were able to decrypt the credit card numbers.

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by Anonymousreply 442April 5, 2019 1:06 AM

even passport numbers were exposed, and they were hacked since 2014 but didn't even know about it until last year...

by Anonymousreply 443April 5, 2019 1:07 AM

R442 All of which would be useless in any other country that has chip & pin or password protection for internet transactions.

US customers should be demanding higher levels of security. Blame your banks.

by Anonymousreply 444April 5, 2019 1:12 AM

r430 I'm 66 and was taught the metric system in school (in the US) back in the '60s. I'm sure most people were. But adoption of the system has always met massive resistance. Same with getting rid of the (useless) penny. Or using coins instead of dollar bills. All things that are logical, sensible, and economical, but none of which will ever happen in my lifetime.

by Anonymousreply 445April 5, 2019 1:31 AM

It's very frustrating how so many Americans are so resistant to change. Europeans are much more adaptable and forward-thinking.

by Anonymousreply 446April 5, 2019 1:33 AM

[quote] People who are overly concerned about shredding documents are in the same category .

Oh, I don't think this is exactly nothing to worry about.

I take my stuff to be shredded every few months, and shred most of my receipts as a best practices kind of thing.

But I've always been surprised how stupid people are with certain documents. It seems to especially be a thing with reading one's mail at the mailbox, and then just deciding, oh, I don't need to deal with this, so let me just pitch it, right here.

Meanwhile, all those documents have personal info. I have opened our lobby trash can to throw out a coupon mailer or something, and seen someone's credit card offer at the top.....which could be compromised SO easily.

by Anonymousreply 447April 5, 2019 2:25 AM

Ugh I hate them but use them occasionally. I tend to use more money orders fyi

by Anonymousreply 448April 5, 2019 2:33 AM

[quote]You don't need credit to open a checking account. You just need to NOT have a history of writing bad checks or overdrawing your account.

And you also need the proper forms of ID, which tens of millions of people don't have for various reasons. That's why people need to understand the fringe economy. The die-off of boomers is not going to automatically hand you your cashless society here in the US.

by Anonymousreply 449April 5, 2019 2:47 AM

[quote] You don't need credit to open a checking account.

True now, but there was a time where they actually did seek your FICO score.

I think that was all stopped in the early 00s with some banking rile act.

by Anonymousreply 450April 5, 2019 3:00 AM

It was probably Elizabeth Warren’s law that opened up credit accounts to people with past financial problems.

by Anonymousreply 451April 5, 2019 3:06 AM

[quote]The die-off of boomers is not going to automatically hand you your cashless society here in the US.

We should already have it here in the US. We should've had it ten fucking years ago. Hate how this stupid country has to hold everything back while the rest of the first world keeps moving forward.

by Anonymousreply 452April 5, 2019 3:10 AM

The world has always catered to boomers. That's not going to change until the hell hounds can drag the very last one kicking and screaming and still trying to beat death with their artificial knees and pig valves into the scalding pits of damnation.

by Anonymousreply 453April 5, 2019 3:26 AM

r453 my friends, co-workers and I joke that Boomers will still be in the office when they're 100 years old. And they STILL won't know how the fuck to use Word, Excel or Outlook.

by Anonymousreply 454April 5, 2019 3:31 AM

Why yes, I use checks to pay my Colored servants, including my Footman Roscoe.

Checks are so modern and convenient.

Why do you ask?

by Anonymousreply 455April 5, 2019 4:22 AM

[quote]The people worried about hacking and fraud are just like the people who are overly concerned about illegal immigration.

Right, the 3 billion Yahoo accounts hacked, the 150M Equifax accounts hacked, the 81M hacked accounts found by the guys at Have I Been Pwned, the 50M Facebook users with hacked accounts, the 4 million federal workers hacked by the Chinese government, they're all just Trumpsters who are overly paranoid.

You people are fucking nuts.

by Anonymousreply 456April 5, 2019 1:08 PM

[quote] all those documents have personal info. I have opened our lobby trash can to throw out a coupon mailer or something, and seen someone's credit card offer at the top.....which could be compromised SO easily.

Most of this info can be found easily on the internet anyway

by Anonymousreply 457April 5, 2019 1:21 PM

[quote] Most of this info can be found easily on the internet anyway

Name and address, maybe.

Preapproved credit offers with your information and approval codes already printed on it, no.

And being smart about things means reducing risk. Shredding personal info is a best practice.

by Anonymousreply 458April 5, 2019 1:49 PM

Yes. To pay rent unfortunately.

Also I’ve used them a few times to pay a friend or family member back for something. Writing it out and mailing it is easier than going to get cash and meeting up. (I have Venmo, PayPal etc but the other person doesn’t)

I also get checks as small birthday gifts from my aunts.

by Anonymousreply 459April 5, 2019 1:58 PM

R444, you are foolish. Do you think the hackers are only gonna go after your current cards? They use the info to open new accounts, new credit cards, they now even have your passport number, maybe ID theft as well.

by Anonymousreply 460April 5, 2019 6:23 PM

A blind man could pick out the posters on this thread who will very likely die old and penniless. These young'uns who think a $3.00 fee here and a $2.00 fee there are fine because it saves them time will one day, when they're old and stoney broke, look back and think how much they'd love to have all those fees back.

by Anonymousreply 461April 5, 2019 6:52 PM

R461 You can always make more money. You can NEVER make more time.

But by all means, go 90 minutes out of the way so you can go to YOUR bank's ATM. Have fun. Hope those extra pennies keep you warm at night. Enjoy your dinner of dented soup cans.

by Anonymousreply 462April 5, 2019 6:55 PM

R462 you can not be guaranteed of that. Your ignorance is astounding. Most people don't have to buy dented cans of soup. They only have to have a healthy respect for the value of a dollar. You clearly do not. I hope you go though life financially sound. But I've seen many just like you. They thought they had the world on a string only for disaster to strike when they never thought it would. And they were totally unprepared for the future.

As far as ATMs are concerned, I can use any ATM I wish. If I'm charged a fee by another bank my bank reimburses me.

by Anonymousreply 463April 5, 2019 7:06 PM

[quote] As far as ATMs are concerned, I can use any ATM I wish. If I'm charged a fee by another bank my bank reimburses me.

Well, SMELL you!

by Anonymousreply 464April 5, 2019 7:09 PM

[quote]You can always make more money.

You can? Can you learn me?

by Anonymousreply 465April 5, 2019 7:28 PM

R455, I recently learned from reading IMBD that Black liveryman were all called George. For George Pullman, through at least 1950.

How appalling.

by Anonymousreply 466April 5, 2019 10:35 PM

I just paid estimated taxes with checks. How would you do this, without incurring fees? Or, do you checkless people not mind fees?

by Anonymousreply 467April 5, 2019 11:09 PM

By using online banking. Your bank will either make an EFT to the taxman or cut a check and mail it to them.

by Anonymousreply 468April 5, 2019 11:17 PM

My bank makes electronic payments for me for free.

It works like this: You enter in the address and zip code, and 95 percent of the time, they already have the payee's name in their system. Then you key in your account number.

They're able to make the payment in a day or two.

I've made all my utility payments and car loan payments like this for eons.

by Anonymousreply 469April 5, 2019 11:20 PM

I live in the city, but I spend big chunks of time in rural Ohio. When you stop at a farmhouse wive's house to buy eggs because they have a sign out, you need to pay in cash. The people there need every little bit of cash infused into their society to stay alive. And No, I wouldn't write a check. Not for something that trivial. But when I'm traveling or spending time in rural areas, I keep cash on me. And, even locally, when I dine out, it tends to be diners, since I'm usually alone. I prefer to pay my bill with a credit card, but I keep cash on me so I can leave I a generous tip (which won't all get reported for taxes). I was a server, too, a long time ago. Some of you don't know or understand how less advantaged people live. During the summer, a drive outside the city takes me to farm stands with lots of fresh produce. Cash is preferred, but they'll take credit. But when I asked some nice young man to load a bale of hay into my trunk, believe me, I ti[ped him with a $20 bill. My car wouldn't start this morning, and the service man who was sent by to help me said my car was out of gas. I knew it wasn't, but I gave him $20 to buy some gas. He did, and we still couldn't get the car started, but eventually. we did. I considered it $20 well spent.

The whole idea of a cashless society is bizarre, to me. It doesn't account for the massive social stratifications in our society (or the US, at least). I'm a working class guy who uses any kind of technology to help me pay my bills, seamlessly. But the County Auditor's bill every year doesn't let me pay online without a service fee, so screw them. And, as mentioned upthread, we've had blackouts that have lasted a long time, so I ike having some cash on-hand, even if everyone else thinks you're nuts. Try driving to your office when your car is practically on empty, and they post signs that they're accepting cash only. Or when they start charging insane fees just to charge phone batteries.

If you've avoided those indignities, and think it's just because you're younger and smarter, I worry for you. I'm actually not one of the dire and mean people on DL. I like learning from the younger members: this thread has been very educational to me. But please, stop and think about calling someone a fossil because they learned a skill that's different from yours. Because yours will soon be obsolete, too.

by Anonymousreply 470April 5, 2019 11:36 PM

[quote]When you stop at a farmhouse wive's house

Farmhouses can get married now too? This marriage equality stuff is getting out of control!

by Anonymousreply 471April 5, 2019 11:50 PM

R470, I agree with your premise, but it has nothing to do with whether or not you use checks. I don’t think anyone here is advocating a cashless society. We all need cash.

When I order a pizza, I use my credit card. But not to tip the driver who delivered it because I don’t know if he’ll get it at all, depending on the company and/or what percentage the restaurant may take. He gets cash.

by Anonymousreply 472April 5, 2019 11:55 PM

I had to stop getting pizza delivered years ago, as it was making me fat.

by Anonymousreply 473April 5, 2019 11:57 PM

Yes, it's all my landlord will accept. Most everything else is credit cards. Although I never charge more than I can pay off when the statement comes. Really only spend on what's necessary. I don't need a lot of shit and I totally could care less what anyone thinks of how I dress or my hair or really anything. I'm lucky that way, no buying anything for show.

by Anonymousreply 474April 6, 2019 12:00 AM

[quote]I don’t think anyone here is advocating a cashless society. We all need cash.

I take out $30 once or twice a year. I use credit card for everything, including vending machines. I’m advocating for a cashless society.

by Anonymousreply 475April 6, 2019 12:09 AM

R472, You're much kinder than many people earlier. I'm not very good at making a point, but the American service industry is not 'world class'. Try "making bail with credit". I loaned my friend (I'm r331) some money because he was in trouble, and that's the only payment they would accept.

It would be too hurtful to discuss my background,

by Anonymousreply 476April 6, 2019 12:18 AM

[quote] I just paid estimated taxes with checks. How would you do this, without incurring fees? Or, do you checkless people not mind fees?

R458 & R459, thanks, but the IRS still charges fees. I don’t know how much. This is my point. Some places require checks or you pay fees of some amount.

by Anonymousreply 477April 6, 2019 12:23 AM

Cashless commerce is like health care and many other things that Europe seems to do effortlessly.....we somehow make it a million times more complicated than it ever needed to be, all because if our pappy's pappy didn't do it or see it with his own two eyes, it must be evil.

by Anonymousreply 478April 6, 2019 12:34 AM

R477. So how do you pay them then avoiding fees? You cut them a check, right?

With online banking (not going to the IRS website and using a credit card), your bank either transfers the money to them or cuts them a check and mails it out on your behalf. The IRS is not charging a fee for getting a check.

by Anonymousreply 479April 6, 2019 12:35 AM

I don't understand why people are not getting what R479 is saying. It's been said many times before in this thread.

by Anonymousreply 480April 6, 2019 12:39 AM

So true r478. This country has so many ignorant morons in it.

by Anonymousreply 481April 6, 2019 12:42 AM

I just got an insurance bill. They require a check.

by Anonymousreply 482April 6, 2019 1:04 AM

Yes, R482, insurance requires a check, and the guarantee for on-time payment didn’t used to be covered by my online bill-pay system for tax payments, but I’ll check again.

by Anonymousreply 483April 6, 2019 2:19 AM

Just about the only time that I use any kind of cash would be for my barber, who doesn't take cards, and occasional tips.

by Anonymousreply 484April 6, 2019 2:28 AM

I don’t see anything that prohibits paying taxes with an online billl-pay system. I may try it, with a token sum.

My checks are printed with something like “Please accept payment from our mutual customer”, so the tax authority might not like it. The Feds don’t even like it if you write $1000 00/100 instead of $1000.00. My State has a fit if you don’t cut the voucher into envelope size; and fold it instead. It’s a lot of money and there is a penalty for nonconforming, so ...

I did get screwed once for using my online bill pay system to pay an insurance premium. “What could go wrong?”, I thought.

by Anonymousreply 485April 6, 2019 2:41 AM

The IRS does not charge fees for direct debit. You can pay your taxes that way if you owe money when you file your return -- just enter your routing number and account number from your checking account, exactly the same way as when you have your refund direct deposited. I also pay my California state taxes and LA County property taxes this way. No charge of any kind. (Not even the cost of a stamp that you'd incur if you mailed it in.)

The IRS itself doesn't charge fees for credit cards either -- they have third-party contractors that charge fees. Congress specifically prohibited the IRS from paying any credit card surcharges that card processors charge, so that's the only way it can be done.

by Anonymousreply 486April 6, 2019 2:49 AM

Yeah, I suppose I could set up direct debit for estimated taxes. That’s how I pay at the end of the year. I guess I’ve forgotten why I paid with checks.

by Anonymousreply 487April 6, 2019 2:55 AM

[quote]Some of you don't know or understand how less advantaged people live.

Exactly. There is so much white, urban, upper middle class bubble thinking on this thread that it burns.

by Anonymousreply 488April 6, 2019 3:41 AM

You've been able to do your taxes with direct debit for YEARS now. Either paying or getting a return. This is not something that's brand new. JFC I can't believe how out of touch some of you are.

by Anonymousreply 489April 6, 2019 4:19 AM

Hey, there is a reason they say If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

by Anonymousreply 490April 6, 2019 5:30 AM

So, r490, you think we should all be driving around in Ford’s Tin Lizzies? We can’t improve on a concept?

by Anonymousreply 491April 6, 2019 10:52 AM

[quote]Exactly. There is so much white, urban, upper middle class bubble thinking on this thread that it burns.

Bullshit! If you have a checking account, your bank has bill pay. We’re discussing if you’re writing checks physically instead of having your bills paid by your bank through online banking, not whether you have a checking account or not.

Go somewhere else with your SJW bullshit.

by Anonymousreply 492April 6, 2019 10:54 AM

Those of you who are becoming enraged that some people still occasionally use a checkbook might want to seek out help from a mental health professional.

by Anonymousreply 493April 6, 2019 2:15 PM

[quote] Those of you who are becoming enraged that some people still occasionally use a checkbook might want to seek out help from a mental health professional.

Just one more way so many people wrap their arms around 1978 and will not for ANY amount of love or money let go.

Misty watercolor memories....of the checks, we BOUNCED!

by Anonymousreply 494April 6, 2019 2:33 PM

Any insurance company that doesn't have an on-line pay option is not an insurance company I would want to deal with. What is the name of this insurance company "Ma & Pa Insurance Company"?

by Anonymousreply 495April 6, 2019 2:39 PM

I know why some of you are so angry--you don't know how to write a check and you're understandably embarrassed by this deficiency.

But YouTube is your friend and these cool guys will show you how:

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 496April 6, 2019 3:15 PM

That’s good, r496.

Now can you find one that shows how to crank start a car for me please?

by Anonymousreply 497April 6, 2019 3:23 PM

R492 there are plenty of small home owned banks in rural towns all over America that don't have bill pay.

by Anonymousreply 498April 6, 2019 3:35 PM

The guy in R296 is writing from 2013 and notably doesn’t know how to write cursive! Maybe there should be a video on that?

by Anonymousreply 499April 6, 2019 3:41 PM

Remember the “Savings and Loan” crisis of around 1990? My first bank, the one I got a penny saver account in 3rd grade, my hometown bank of 150 years old, collapsed in it. It thought it was smart, and bought a competitor bank on the cheap, one that got in trouble early, but it was more troubled than it realized and brought them both down.

(It reminds me of the 1970s company that attempted a hostile takeover of a competitor when the concept was new due to deregulation. The competitor turned around and acquired the first company, instead! Oops!)

Anyway, there was another hometown bank that collapsed at the time. It was still using index cards to tally balances. No computers. In 1990! America must be filled with such banks!

by Anonymousreply 500April 6, 2019 3:49 PM

I remember going to summer camp in the mid-'60s (when I was around 9 or 10) and one of the things they taught us was how to write a check. We each had an "account" with some money in it (from our parents, of course) and we'd write checks to buy snacks or other things.

by Anonymousreply 501April 6, 2019 3:51 PM

In high school, I learned that you could “make” a check out of any piece of paper. No formality to it, you just write it out. Suppose you’re in a lifeboat, for instance, and don’t have your checkbook with you, or WiFi.

I haven’t tested it.

by Anonymousreply 502April 6, 2019 3:54 PM

This quarter's 5% cash back rewards for the cards I use:

Discover: gas stations, Uber, and Lyft

Chase Freedom: grocery and home improvement stores

And one of my BofA cards lets you choose a category for permanent 3% back - I'm using it for online purchases (other than Amazon or Target; I already get 5% back from those stores with their own cards.)

The Citi Costco Visa gives me back 3% on restaurants and travel (permanently) and 2% back at Costco.

The Sam's Club MasterCard gives me back on gas (permanently.)

My default card for all other purchases is Citi DoubleCash--1% back on all purchase and 1% more when I pay.

NONE of these cards has an annual fee (not counting the annual Sam's Club and Costco membership fees), and I've never paid a cent in interest or other charges on any of them, because I pay my balance in full every month.

So you people who insist on using checks, cash, and debit cards are losing out.

by Anonymousreply 503April 6, 2019 3:57 PM

[quote]there are plenty of small home owned banks in rural towns all over America that don't have bill pay.

Really? My credit union, which only has four or five branches, has online bill pay. Most smaller institutions just contract with a larger one if they're not big enough to fund their own bill pay system.

by Anonymousreply 504April 6, 2019 3:59 PM

R501, that’s interesting.

I can honestly say I don’t remember where I learned to write a check, whether it was school or my parents.

by Anonymousreply 505April 6, 2019 4:02 PM

I love you, R503!

by Anonymousreply 506April 6, 2019 4:17 PM

Here’s a problem. If you cancel a credit card, they will no longer give you access to your purchase records. That’s a rare need, but when you do need access, you really do.

Likewise, I asked Comcast if I switched to their email system, and stopped their other service, could I keep their email account? “No”, I’d be trapped. (Contrast with AT&T. I stopped their phone service but kept their email.)

I imagine banks are the same, All that bill-pay history, now unavailable! And no, it’s quite a chore to log back in and make a paper copy of everything!

by Anonymousreply 507April 6, 2019 4:27 PM

I even pay my rent to buy landlord by transfer. We both have same bank which made it easier.

No checks, ever. I haven't purchased stamps in 3 years.

by Anonymousreply 508April 6, 2019 4:33 PM

[quote]Here’s a problem. If you cancel a credit card, they will no longer give you access to your purchase records. That’s a rare need, but when you do need access, you really do.

Good point, Pierre. While it may be a rare need, if you do need it for some reason, it’ll be important. Like a seat belt in a car. They’re a rare need, but when they are needed you’d better have it on.

by Anonymousreply 509April 6, 2019 4:37 PM

Years ago, my roommate abandoned me abruptly. I paid his many month’s back rent and my rent with an out of state check (as usual), as I was a student . My landlord agreed to rent me the place upstairs at the end of the lease, but after he got the check, he reneged.

In those days, an out of state check took extra time to clear. I was pissed and insulted, so I cancelled the check. It was many days. I was very surprised it hadn’t cleared, but it hadn’t. All it took was a phone call and follow up fax. I don’t like liars.

There’s more to the story, of course.. I had contacted the landlord many times before and got many assurances, so save the snark. You don’t want to hear the minutiae. TY. (For ages after, my friend, when he rang the bell, would say on the intercom that he was the landlord, lol!)

by Anonymousreply 510April 6, 2019 4:48 PM

R478 I wonder if America’s distrust of modern technology (PIN and chip) and rejection of basic things like universal healthcare and electronic payments has more to do with religion-based fear or some sort of complacency? Just consider how every minority group has managed to get what they want by being proactive. Women got to vote and own property. Blacks got equal rights and the BLM movement has been holding protests in the streets. SJW snowflakes got their ‘safe spaces’ on college campuses. Men pretending to be women are now allowed to shower with little girls and promote genital mutilation because they lobbied for it. How is it possible that 300 million Americans cannot collectively demand basic high-quality services like debit cards for all and fast and safe online banking with no fees?

by Anonymousreply 511April 6, 2019 5:14 PM

R511, you’re misinformed about much of that.

by Anonymousreply 512April 6, 2019 5:16 PM

America doesn’t have the latest credit card technology (pin and chip, or whatever) because there are so many cards to change, it would be too expensive. The banks decided this. Not people’s “fear”. I have a few. I think the banks are slowly changing this as cards expire.

by Anonymousreply 513April 6, 2019 5:20 PM

American Express credit card is useful. If you are overseas and need a lawyer, they can provide one.

by Anonymousreply 514April 6, 2019 5:39 PM

If you're talking about the classic American Express card it is not a credit card. They do not give you credit since you're required to pay your balance in full every month. Amex does have a bona video credit card that is just like Visa or Mastercard and has no yearly fee.

by Anonymousreply 515April 6, 2019 5:48 PM

[quote]Here’s a problem. If you cancel a credit card, they will no longer give you access to your purchase records. That’s a rare need, but when you do need access, you really do.

Then download and save all of your statements before you cancel it.

by Anonymousreply 516April 6, 2019 6:20 PM

[quote]I just got an insurance bill. They require a check.

Allstate allows credit card payment, and I get miles or cash back.

by Anonymousreply 517April 6, 2019 7:15 PM

[quote]there are plenty of small home owned banks in rural towns all over America that don't have bill pay.

I think Sam Drucker’s bank in Hooterville went out of business or else his cash box under the counter got merged with a larger bank, so now they all have bill pay.

by Anonymousreply 518April 6, 2019 7:21 PM

[quote) R516: Then download and save all of your statements before you cancel it.

True, but who wants to do that?

My brokerage/checking company is essentially privately owned. Years ago, the owner allegedly didn’t like coverage it got in the Boston Globe, so he pulled all its ads from it. Fidelity and the Globe are billion dollar companies, but this happens!

by Anonymousreply 519April 6, 2019 7:55 PM

I like Fidelity, but I have their Visa card, and for whatever reason, it switched Visa card banks, so all of my charge info had to be downloaded or lost. I had kept my statements and it worked out ok, phew!

Recently I wanted to know about the couch I bought 7 years ago, and found the receipt. It was expensive, so makes sense that I had the receipt.

by Anonymousreply 520April 6, 2019 8:02 PM

New and historic levels of prisspottery never seen before in humanity.

I wish I had pearls so I could clutch them.

by Anonymousreply 521April 6, 2019 8:05 PM

it's almost entirely American

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 522April 6, 2019 9:45 PM

My housekeeper only takes checks and cash. She’s illegal, so I don know if that’s kept her for updating her technology. Agh! Worlds colliding!

by Anonymousreply 523April 6, 2019 10:22 PM

I use checks a few times for property taxes, birthday money to parents, and for repairs in my house.

by Anonymousreply 524April 7, 2019 12:08 AM

Checks would be rather problematic for an illegal alien, unless she has some damn good identity paperwork that covers her ass.

R513 — sadly, American banks are still heavily PIN resistant. What's changing is that they are starting to put the contactless ability in the card as other countries have had for a decade now (Apple Pay without the phone).

by Anonymousreply 525April 7, 2019 12:22 AM

I think most all credit/debit card issuers now have replaced the old cards with chip cards. That's not the problem. The problem is that there is still a large percentage of retailers who have yet to upgrade to chip readers years after the 2015 deadline, even though they were told after the deadline if they didn't have the new technology they would be held responsible for any fraud that occurred due to the lack of chip readers.

by Anonymousreply 526April 7, 2019 12:39 AM

[quote]Those of you who are becoming enraged that some people still occasionally use a checkbook might want to seek out help from a mental health professional.

Yeah, the foaming-at-the-mouth wrath being spewed by people like R492 is an indicator of serious issues. Dozens of posts raging out because some people do things differently than you do? Get the fuck over it. Jesus Christ.

by Anonymousreply 527April 7, 2019 5:43 AM

I don't get the outrage either. America is an aging country - and behind on tech, because of that and being a big ole peasant-type country with a lot of wilderness and sparsely settled area. Didn't Trump wake people up to the poorly-educated backwaters that you find even in rural California for christsake. And there's a lot of significant poverty in this country with a dismal safety net - loads of people don't have bank accounts - plenty are afraid to get them because the gov't really IS out to get them.

Who cares if some marginalized or older people use money orders or have checkbooks and prefer to use them, rather than figuring out smartphones, apps, how to get a credit or debit card, even having a bank account.

My next door neighbor is a spry (and alone) 87 but doesn't have a computer - and doesn't want one. So what?! Her watching Fox News every night IS a problem. Her using a checkbook? Pfft. For those upset by that, get a fucking life! Grow up! Prioritize!!

by Anonymousreply 528April 7, 2019 7:56 AM

I never understand the Boomer-hate here. On another thread, someone complained that boomers should retire so that they could move up the employment hierarchy. The complainers have a variety of complaints, but seem completely oblivious to the fact that the boomers raised them in a society in unparalleled luxury.

by Anonymousreply 529April 7, 2019 3:01 PM

[quote]I never understand the Boomer-hate here.

You mean the worst generation? They got everything handed to them. The entire world shifted on it's axis to accommodate their wants and needs. And when they are in the position to give back some of what they took... what did they do? They just took some more.

by Anonymousreply 530April 7, 2019 3:07 PM

[quote] How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child. - Will Shakespeare

Yes, R530, exactly. They raised the newer generations in luxury, and it’s not appreciated.

by Anonymousreply 531April 7, 2019 3:21 PM

My brother, the boomer, and I worked on a paper route as kids. When he had a son, my brother didn’t want his son to work while in school, citing what he missed out on. My thoughts were that my bro turned out well, with a good work ethic, and maybe should encourage that in his son. Plus, I don’t know what my bro thinks he missed as a kid, I didn’t feel deprived.

I kept my opinion to myself and his son turned out well, in any event. Unless his son is the ungrateful R530, of course.

by Anonymousreply 532April 7, 2019 3:27 PM

I usually use credit cards for most purchases.

I pay my landlord by check because that is the only way to pay him.

I have never done a wire transfer. Not even exactly sure what they are,

by Anonymousreply 533April 7, 2019 8:28 PM

R533 There are multiple ways to make transfers from one account to another now, but a few years back, there were maybe three ways your bank could effect a payment. Wire transfers was one way. (ACH was another way, like how we all get direct deposit.)

The long version is at the Wikipedia link. But Cliff Notes version: Banks can send from one bank to another, using each bank's routing number. In the message of that transaction is your individual account number, so they know who to credit once it arrives.

It's not a method you would use to, say, send Aunt Penny a gift for her birthday. It's used most often now for business to business transactions; individuals would use it for things like real estate closings.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 534April 7, 2019 8:43 PM

The one thing to consider is what can be done if your money is wired to the wrong account. I did that once, and it was a real pain in the ass to set right.

by Anonymousreply 535April 7, 2019 9:00 PM

I can do a wire transfer myself from my account to an account at another bank, just by logging in to my account online. I only use that function occasionally. You don't actually have to have the bank do it for you.

by Anonymousreply 536April 7, 2019 9:03 PM

Venmo and PayPal are the DEVIL

by Anonymousreply 537April 7, 2019 10:21 PM

Also, the largest arts funder in our state wants to see cancelled checks as part of final reports. Otherwise, one has to spend hours on an annotated bank statement.

Many of us hate checks, but are compelled by landlords, funders, etc to use them. My agent sends me royalty checks meaning at least twice a year I have to go to my bank's atm to deposit them....which is damn inconvenient.

by Anonymousreply 538April 7, 2019 10:41 PM

[quote] Many of us hate checks, but are compelled by landlords, funders, etc to use them. My agent sends me royalty checks meaning at least twice a year I have to go to my bank's atm to deposit them....which is damn inconvenient.

I think those kinds of checks are understandable. I've seen people use checks for church things or collection plate stuff.

by Anonymousreply 539April 7, 2019 11:28 PM

My bank doesn't send the actual checks back but provides a copy of the front and back of each check on my online statement.

by Anonymousreply 540April 7, 2019 11:42 PM

Most places that want to see cancelled checks want copies...not the actual checks.

by Anonymousreply 541April 7, 2019 11:47 PM

Banks are no longer obligated to save or send the actual check. It was all part of some legislation that happened a while back. Most of them will save it for a short time.

by Anonymousreply 542April 7, 2019 11:48 PM

R539, you need supporting documentation of a charitable contribution if you want the tax deduction. Usually, a cancelled check is not enough, but maybe the IRS makes exceptions for church weekly donations if you have the check.

by Anonymousreply 543April 8, 2019 12:17 AM

r543 WAY fewer people are going to be itemizing their deductions starting this year, thanks to the new tax law.

by Anonymousreply 544April 8, 2019 3:19 AM

[quote]I can do a wire transfer myself from my account to an account at another bank, just by logging in to my account online. I only use that function occasionally. You don't actually have to have the bank do it for you.

I can do that but either I have to pay to do it (if I start with my bank) or I can only do $1000/day (if I start with my credit union.) Pain in the ass if you want to transfer larger amounts. I gave up and just started writing checks to myself to move the money between accounts.

I haven't had a problem doing it with online savings accounts, though.

by Anonymousreply 545April 8, 2019 3:21 AM

[quote]My agent sends me royalty checks meaning at least twice a year I have to go to my bank's atm to deposit them....which is damn inconvenient.

Twice a year?! MARY!

by Anonymousreply 546April 8, 2019 3:49 AM

I thought au courant people could take pictures of a check and deposit it online? No bank visit needed.

by Anonymousreply 547April 8, 2019 3:52 AM

This thread has really struck a nerve. Who would a thought a thread that wasn't about draining pasta or some c level celebrity could hit the max.

by Anonymousreply 548April 8, 2019 3:53 AM

[quote]Who would a thought

Oh, dear!

by Anonymousreply 549April 8, 2019 9:20 AM

[quote]Hackers are not hacking your bank account, they are hacking the stores where you use your debit/credit cards,

Um NO, Banks are hacked all the time just as much as retail stores. It makes to sense to write paper checks because your bank converts all your info to digital once they receive it. In fact you add a layer of human error. Whether you like it or not, no bank is holding your info on paper in some master archive. You account is completely digital held in a bank of computers vulnerable to hackers. Writing paper check makes about as much sense as trying to change the rubber tire on your car with a wooden wagon wheel.

JUST TO NAME A FEW:

JP Morgan Chase 2014 76,000,000 financial

The Bank of New York Mellon 2008 12,500,000

Citigroup 2005 3,900,000 financial

Bank of America 2005 1,200,000 financial

NASDAQ 2014 unknown financial

TD Ameritrade 2007 6,300,000 financial

Countrywide Financial Corp 2011 2,500,000 financial

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland 2010 400,000 financial

by Anonymousreply 550April 8, 2019 9:53 AM

^ LIST OF BANKS HACKED.

by Anonymousreply 551April 8, 2019 9:55 AM

Let me clutch my pearls about hacking, which I cannot control or do anything about and which I will never, ever lose a cent over, since it's the banks' responsibility.

Let me also go back to storing cash in my mattress. Banks are bad! Deep state!

by Anonymousreply 552April 8, 2019 9:58 AM

Hi DL! I’m currently at the post office. I’m using the self-service machine with no line behind me.

There are 15 people in line for the tellers.

by Anonymousreply 553April 10, 2019 12:07 AM

Um, R553 you're at the POST OFFICE. Who goes there anymore? Have you heard of email, online billpay, etc...? If you're shipping something Fedex and UPS will come to your house to pick up your package.

by Anonymousreply 554April 10, 2019 12:50 AM

I don't even know where the post office is in my neighborhood.

by Anonymousreply 555April 10, 2019 12:51 AM

R554 It's 3 blocks from my house and I had to send some packages. USPS is cheaper than Fedex and UPS :P

by Anonymousreply 556April 10, 2019 1:01 AM

May we ask the nature of these packages, R556?

by Anonymousreply 557April 10, 2019 1:08 AM

Um, r554, registered/certified mail/packages have to be picked up at the post office (ID required) if no one is available to sign at home. UPS/FedEx home pick up only works assuming someone is at home all day waiting.

by Anonymousreply 558April 10, 2019 1:16 AM

I'm freelance so I DEPOSIT checks all the time

by Anonymousreply 559April 10, 2019 1:25 AM

I used to mail any checks that I received to my bank for deposit. It never failed.

Now, I use the Fidelity app to deposit into my account there. I just endorse the check, then snap a photo of the front and back. It never fails, as well.

by Anonymousreply 560April 10, 2019 1:36 AM

Never mailed a check, but mine was the last major American bank to add mobile deposit. That was a great day

by Anonymousreply 561April 10, 2019 1:39 AM

Today the bank CEOs appeared before House Financial Services cmte in Wash D.C.

One of them (Jamie Dimon) said that cybersecurity is the biggest threat. JP Morgan Chase went from spending 50million on cybersecurity to 400 million. It's a huge issue.

by Anonymousreply 562April 10, 2019 3:00 PM

So what do you guys do with wedding gifts or graduation gifts? I don't give cash because I am always afraid the card will get lifted by some shifty relative at the ceremony. I like the paper trail of a check.

by Anonymousreply 563April 11, 2019 12:10 AM

Apparently you're supposed to give prepaid debit/credit gift cards which, I don't care what people say, is a helluva lot more trouble than the 1 minute it takes to fill out a check and stick it in the mail.

by Anonymousreply 564April 11, 2019 12:32 AM

I paid $150 to have my tax returns prepared on Monday. I ended up owing both the Feds and the State of Ohio. I wrote two checks, and mailed them earlier this afternoon (after spending the day at the Zoo with my brother). Three checks in one week. If you can cope without writing checks, then I'm not going to be rude or dismissive. But I can't (and yes, I'm old).

by Anonymousreply 565April 11, 2019 12:44 AM

As long as there are "convenience" fees for paying bills online I'll continue to pay those bills by check.

by Anonymousreply 566April 11, 2019 12:50 AM

R565, did you take the train at the zoo?

by Anonymousreply 567April 11, 2019 12:57 AM

Yes, we did, and the guy who attended to us was named Justin, and he was a very cute and handsome blond guy. My brother even made fun of me because I was so responsive to him. But then he was a bit shocked when I made a joke about Justin sitting on my face. I think my brother is rather naive about gay sex.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 568April 11, 2019 1:13 AM

r565 So did you file paper returns or electronically? And either way, why didn't you use the direct debit option?

by Anonymousreply 569April 11, 2019 4:33 AM

I paid my income tax with a check. I honestly didn't see the direct debit option on the form. Maybe there was yet another form I could have used but why should I go print another piece of paper out just to fill in my bank data - when again, it takes 1 minute to fill out a check? I also get to keep the money in my account several more days for that smidgen more interest. What is the fucking big deal about this?

I actually enjoy writing checks (compared to entering numbers on a form). Cursive handwriting is enjoyable to me. It's like people here think I'm committing some kind of goddamned crime. Sheesh. Do you throw a tantrum when people don't hang their toilet paper the right way?

by Anonymousreply 570April 11, 2019 6:09 AM

I'm usually a you do you kind of guy. But I hate when I see people working harder and not smarter. You think writing a check is easier. It's not. Start doing things that will benefit your life, not make it worse.

by Anonymousreply 571April 11, 2019 1:36 PM

Stop trying to control other people, R571. You're making your own life harder by doing so.

by Anonymousreply 572April 11, 2019 2:36 PM

Reading R571 made my life harder.

by Anonymousreply 573April 11, 2019 3:02 PM

I just paid my taxes. I owed about $870 Federal, paid by check; and I’m getting about $4000 back from my state, via direct deposit. I don’t know why I needed to pay by check, but whatever. It’s better than I expected.

by Anonymousreply 574April 11, 2019 8:21 PM

[quote] I'm usually a you do you kind of guy. But I hate when I see people working harder and not smarter. You think writing a check is easier. It's not. Start doing things that will benefit your life, not make it worse.

Ok... I just went to look at my hard copies in my filing chest drawer (and don't you tell me not to have paper files in my house!!)

Anyway, at the bottom, if you get a refund, it gives a place to enter the account numbers in these little boxes.

Then, if you DON'T get a refund, it doesn't have any little boxes. It says, "For details on how to pay, see instructions."

WTF should I have to go to my computer, find the instructions yet again, and read the choices on how to pay -- when I already know how to pay very easily and quickly -- with a fucking check!

Also, don't tell me to file online. There's a charge for that - or at least used to be - and I'd have to learn how to do it. I gather up my receipts on my dining room table, use a pencil, and enter the numbers as I go - and no, I don't want to file online, and I'm 63 and will be very upset when it's no longer possible to file a paper return. I never learned to do numbers with touch-typing so it's a hassle to hunt and peck -- and an even bigger hassle to use the little smartphone screen to enter numbers.

I LIKE the way I do things. I like writing out forms and checks. Why didn't Van Gogh just hang up some newspaper sheets instead of painting a painting? Maybe he LIKED to produce something with his hands that was pleasing to him. Call me crazy but I like to produce a check and go back and look at it and how it was endorsed (when it clears the bank).

by Anonymousreply 575April 11, 2019 8:40 PM

R575: 👍🏻

by Anonymousreply 576April 11, 2019 9:00 PM

R575 you type AARP

by Anonymousreply 577April 12, 2019 12:32 AM

r577 AARP Foundation sponsors Tax-Aide; they encourage everyone to e-file and do direct deposit or debit.

by Anonymousreply 578April 12, 2019 1:50 AM

If the gov't wants people to e-file, then why do they charge extra for it if you make more than $66,000 (if the IRS link below is correct)?

If it's easier for them, why don't they give you a discount for doing it??

If they want me to change from my paper filing, they sure are going about it the wrong way by making it cost more. Fuck 'em.

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by Anonymousreply 579April 12, 2019 4:32 AM

Sort of on-topic and so typically America:

The House Ways and Means Committee has just passed the absurdly titled “Taxpayer First Act.” The bill, introduced by John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) (for once, bipartisanship!) would prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from developing a free online system that most Americans could use to file their taxes. Similar legislation is likely to soon receive approval in the Senate.

It makes little sense — that Congress would make it more difficult for citizens to file their taxes — until you consider that such a sensible platform would create competition for tax preparation companies such as Intuit (maker of TurboTax) and H&R Block. Those companies have poured more than $6.5 million into lobbying for this bill and other anti-competitive proposals in the last year alone. That may explain why it is moving briskly through Congress.

Going in the opposite direction, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has reintroduced her Tax Filing Simplification Act, first offered in 2016 and reintroduced again in 2017.

Pointing out that taxpayers spend an average of 11 hours preparing their tax returns and pay $200 each year for tax-preparation services, Warren would prohibit the IRS from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide free tax help to the rest of us, and instead would instruct the IRS to create a free, online tax preparation and filing service. The act would also allow taxpayers with simple financial situations to elect to receive a pre-prepared tax return with tax liability or refund amounts already calculated, as happens in many other countries.

Unlike the plan backed by the private tax-prep companies, Warren’s plan is not moving so briskly through Congress, though it has support from some other Democrats in the Senate and House

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by Anonymousreply 580April 15, 2019 12:01 AM

I have no idea, OP. My assistant Randolf takes care of the bills. Have they discontinued checks?

by Anonymousreply 581April 15, 2019 12:49 AM

I had to write a check for 54 cents today. (it was for a utility bill from a place I sold. I had already deleted it from my bill pay so I just wrote the check out.)

by Anonymousreply 582April 15, 2019 8:37 AM

"The act would also allow taxpayers with simple financial situations to elect to receive a pre-prepared tax return with tax liability or refund amounts already calculated, as happens in many other countries."

That's exactly what we have in my country. First of all, I don't know anyone who files their taxes on paper. Everything is electronic and obviously free of charge. You log into your account and all the amounts, such as you salary, your house, etc. are filled in. You fill in things like deductions (tuition fees, etc.) and any other income you might have earned. Filing online is very straight-forward. Depending on your answers (yes/no) a drop-down menu appears. Hard to fuck that up. Why would you need 11 hours to file a simple tax return? And I still can't believe you get charged for filing your taxes. That is just crazy!

by Anonymousreply 583April 15, 2019 10:04 AM

R417 Same here in Norway.

by Anonymousreply 584May 2, 2019 9:05 PM

I pay my monthly mortgage payment and bills with online banking. I've sent bank drafted checks to people via online banking. I have written a regular check to a plumber.. but, even they carry a little transaction swiping machine, or a smart phone, which I can use a debit or credit card. My written checks are under 5 a year, if I write any at all.

by Anonymousreply 585May 2, 2019 9:15 PM

r579 The government doesn't charge anything to e-file, but the only way you can e-file is through a third-party service. That's who's charging you. And as the subsequent posts have pointed out, the huge tax preparation business has lobbied Congress hard to prevent the IRS from making it any easier for people to do things (1) by themselves and (2) for free.

by Anonymousreply 586May 3, 2019 3:50 AM

Yes I write checks and I drain my pasta.

by Anonymousreply 587May 3, 2019 9:26 AM

Maybe it changed since last year R586 but the government helps people e-file for free but only if they have low or moderate income:

"As internet use took off at the turn of the millennium, the Office of Management and Budget asked the Internal Revenue Service to create no-cost electronic tax-filing options for low- and moderate-income taxpayers."

They don't help people who make above a certain amount - it used to be $60,000 - if they still have the low/moderate income help, I don't know what the threshold is now because I just use paper. I find it easier. The hard part is making sure you have all the data collected - W2;s, other income documents, any expenses that could be involved: health insurance and other costs if you meet the threshold, business expenses, mortgage interest, etc.

After I have all the paperwork/data collected, it literally takes 5 minutes to fill out the paper forms and mail it all in with a check. For me, since I hate typing numbers either on my desktop or phone, it's a hell of a lot easier than online filing. If nothing else, I know exactly how to do it, having done it for decades - I have no clue how to do it online and do NOT want to pay H&R Block or somebody else to enter numbers after I'm the one who went to the trouble of rounding it all up.

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by Anonymousreply 588May 3, 2019 9:50 AM

What's wrong with draining pasta? When you cover it in sauce, what difference could it possibly make? If anything, I'd think you'd be draining away some of the stupid starch, which is the one thing that is BAD about pasta.

by Anonymousreply 589May 3, 2019 9:56 AM
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