Check fraud is back in a big way, fueled by a rise in organized crime that is forcing small businesses and individuals to take additional safety measures or to avoid sending checks through the mail altogether. Banks reported roughly 680,000 reports of check fraud to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, last year. That’s up from 350,000 reports in 2021. Officials are warning Americans to avoid mailing checks if possible, or at least to use a secure mail drop such as inside the post office.
I left the US nearly 20 years ago and couldn’t believe that Germany didn’t use checks…like at all. I haven’t written or used checks in 20 years and wonder why they’re still around.
I’ve owned cheques at some point but in close to 25 years of doing bank transactions I’ve never actually seen one filled out or the possibility of using one even mentioned. Even as a kid I can’t remember one ever coming up in conversation. I remember one time that my parents got travelers cheques and that stood out so I’m pretty sure I’d have noticed regular ones. I’m 40 now and it’s just always been a curiosity from the movies.