Cheques/checks are more common in the US as there is no national system like Direct Debit. Bills can be paid by card, but sometimes you are penalized for that d

Cheques/checks are more common in the US as there is no national system like Direct Debit. Bills can be paid by card, but sometimes you are penalized for that due to the processing fees. The government always requires cash or check. I had to buy a check book just so I had the privilege of sending The Man more tax. They are also used (bizarrely) as a proof of your bank account number for various things. It's not uncommon for a company that is doing banking with you (like your payroll) to ask for an invalidated check so they can get your bank account number right. I really hate checks.