In this case, it would actually be beneficiary to use checks because they can do it via cashier check to guarantee that it’s going to deposit and also it makes the paper trail to help protect against the I wasn’t paid or this person never got the money claim.
Not that I don’t believe that checks are not ancient outdated technology as well, but I do agree there are some rare occasions where it makes more sense to use a check versus having to deal with a wire transfer or paying in physical denomination.
What’s the process and why is it so arduous? Here it’s just account name, bank number, account number and you can expect it next day (or instant using modern methods). Sure beats going to the bank…
I’m not sure where you are located but, in the US it’s those 3 pieces of information as well. I think checks in the case of validity and legal situations make a lot more sense. Not everyone will have that information at hand, nor do they have banks that are willing to allow them or charge a fee for them. It’s also 2 pieces of information more than a cashiers check would require, and discloses where the destination of the funds is going to anyone involved which includes both the handler and the person who is giving you money, where with a cashiers check you can deposit or cash those most anywhere that manages checks, be it your bank, an opposing bank, walmart etc. It also helps with the actual paper trail as you have a physical piece of paper confirming you are going to be receiving the amount, where a wire is fully digital and if something messed up along the way, it can take weeks to resolve the issue. You can’t screw a cashiers check up without really trying, it’s weighted against the bank itself instead of the person or entity that is owing the money, which means it can’t bounce(like normal checks can), and it only needs your name which, the court and the payer should already know, where a wire transfer can be screwed up by a simple typo of the numbers.
The processing speeds are also night and day. You mentioned next day but, that is likely because because your bank is doing you a favor with it. A wire transfer can take up to 5-7 business days to actually transfer, in some cases it can even take up to a couple weeks. Cashier checks are handled similar to government checks and are legally mandated (at least in the US) to be cleared next day. Wire transfers to my knowledge do not have this obligation.
That’s it? 10kg? And clankers seem to think that’s about 11-12L. So I can load a heavy duty duffel with about 4mil and its only about 40kg. Easy peasy.
Checks are nice when you don’t want acquiesce to the anti-privacy account making nonsense or pay the “convenience” fee some companies pull on their websites. With the added bonus of in order to get their money they need to take extra steps and have a real person process the payment because the company dicked around. Checks are awesome.
In the U.S. checks are still a very common way to pay bills for businesses. The reason: checks are cheaper. ACH fees are more expensive.
In other countries the reverse is true. Checks cost money while ACH is free. So everyone does ACH and checks are almost unheard of.
In the U.S. it’s faster and easier to reimburse myself from the my business account with a check to my personal account. Its truly ridiculous process. I print out a check from the business software and sign the check. I then remote deposit the check into my personal account (endorsing then back) with my phone. The check never leaves my desk.
It costs me under $0.03 (cost of the check) to do it this way. ACH fees are $5/transaction for essentially the same thing.
My mom still writes checks for all her bills, then the shut-off notices and the checks cross in the mail, and she ends up getting her electricity cut off. I’m trying to get her to use the Internet to pay her bills, but she acts like I’m stupid for suggesting any other way than mailing a check.
Why do they apparently still use cheques in 2026?
In this case, it would actually be beneficiary to use checks because they can do it via cashier check to guarantee that it’s going to deposit and also it makes the paper trail to help protect against the I wasn’t paid or this person never got the money claim.
Not that I don’t believe that checks are not ancient outdated technology as well, but I do agree there are some rare occasions where it makes more sense to use a check versus having to deal with a wire transfer or paying in physical denomination.
What’s the process and why is it so arduous? Here it’s just account name, bank number, account number and you can expect it next day (or instant using modern methods). Sure beats going to the bank…
I’m not sure where you are located but, in the US it’s those 3 pieces of information as well. I think checks in the case of validity and legal situations make a lot more sense. Not everyone will have that information at hand, nor do they have banks that are willing to allow them or charge a fee for them. It’s also 2 pieces of information more than a cashiers check would require, and discloses where the destination of the funds is going to anyone involved which includes both the handler and the person who is giving you money, where with a cashiers check you can deposit or cash those most anywhere that manages checks, be it your bank, an opposing bank, walmart etc. It also helps with the actual paper trail as you have a physical piece of paper confirming you are going to be receiving the amount, where a wire is fully digital and if something messed up along the way, it can take weeks to resolve the issue. You can’t screw a cashiers check up without really trying, it’s weighted against the bank itself instead of the person or entity that is owing the money, which means it can’t bounce(like normal checks can), and it only needs your name which, the court and the payer should already know, where a wire transfer can be screwed up by a simple typo of the numbers.
The processing speeds are also night and day. You mentioned next day but, that is likely because because your bank is doing you a favor with it. A wire transfer can take up to 5-7 business days to actually transfer, in some cases it can even take up to a couple weeks. Cashier checks are handled similar to government checks and are legally mandated (at least in the US) to be cleared next day. Wire transfers to my knowledge do not have this obligation.
This story is ancient. I remember seeing it circulate in the early 2010s.
Because metal briefcases stuffed with unmarked bills is too cliche.
They are also very heavy.
$1000000 in $100 is 22 lbs.
The logistics alone make most heist movies improbable.
I guess I’m confused. You think ~20 lbs is unmanageably heavy for a million dollars?
That’s it? 10kg? And clankers seem to think that’s about 11-12L. So I can load a heavy duty duffel with about 4mil and its only about 40kg. Easy peasy.
Checks are nice when you don’t want acquiesce to the anti-privacy account making nonsense or pay the “convenience” fee some companies pull on their websites. With the added bonus of in order to get their money they need to take extra steps and have a real person process the payment because the company dicked around. Checks are awesome.
Well they don’t so much anymore in 2026, but that’s not relevant to the story in the post
They may not be the most common method of payment, but they are regularly used.
It depends on the country you are in.
In the U.S. checks are still a very common way to pay bills for businesses. The reason: checks are cheaper. ACH fees are more expensive.
In other countries the reverse is true. Checks cost money while ACH is free. So everyone does ACH and checks are almost unheard of.
In the U.S. it’s faster and easier to reimburse myself from the my business account with a check to my personal account. Its truly ridiculous process. I print out a check from the business software and sign the check. I then remote deposit the check into my personal account (endorsing then back) with my phone. The check never leaves my desk.
It costs me under $0.03 (cost of the check) to do it this way. ACH fees are $5/transaction for essentially the same thing.
and you owe me €0.03 for looking up what ACH is.
My mom still writes checks for all her bills, then the shut-off notices and the checks cross in the mail, and she ends up getting her electricity cut off. I’m trying to get her to use the Internet to pay her bills, but she acts like I’m stupid for suggesting any other way than mailing a check.
They also still use cheques in 2026 though
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Muricuhhhhh fuck yeahhhh freeeeeeedom
because a card bas a spending limite, while the checks dont