I had to pay a bill by typing numbers into an online bank along with an address that the physical check would then be mailed to. I thought the banker who told

I had to pay a bill by typing numbers into an online bank along with an address that the physical check would then be mailed to. I thought the banker who told me they would send a check was joking. Or just using it as an metaphor for making a payment to the account. But no, at one point the check actually got lost and and then reappeared later so my balance with PG&E went positive. Oh, and it could only pay fixed amount at regular intervals. I eventually learned that most vendors would accept check numbers, and then magically withdraw from my account. So long as a checked a box that effectively allowed them to withdraw whatever they deemed I owed them. In Denmark I get an electronic statement of all the bills I have signed up for automatic payment. It just works. Oh, not to mention: to rent an apartment in the US I had to get a cashier's check. I'll admit I didn't even know that was a thing... (In Denmark banks don't accept checks anymore)