Most Americans have stopped using checks, with only 15% writing a few checks monthly in 2023, according to GoBankingRates. A significant 46% of more than 1,000 surveyed respondents hadn't written a single check this year. Since the Covid pandemic, the trend towards contactless and digital payments has surged, making check writing nearly obsolete. Retailers are also moving away from checks; Target, Aldi, Whole Foods, Old Navy, and Lululemon no longer accept personal checks. Scott Anchin of the Independent Community Bankers of America cites check fraud as a major reason for this shift, emphasizing that checks are inherently insecure. With advancements in security through authentication, monitoring, and data encryption, the preference for digital and contactless payments will only grow. The transition raises questions about who still uses checks and how this change impacts them, as society moves towards a "check zero" world.
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