Money isn’t taken out of the account until the cheque is cashed, for one.

Seeing a lot of “only idiot cavemen don’t use debit cards”, but in my case it’s for cash security. If there is theft or fraud that money is not available until the bank decides my report is legitimate. With a credit card that’s not the case. Where I can’t use a credit card I use a check with some extra security info.

In the US, checks are much worse than paying with a credit or debit card. It is much cheaper for a merchant to take checks than either type of card, so that is why they’re usually used.

Also, the person in question might be very poor / bad with money and unable to get a credit or debit card.

When I was young my mom would write a check for groceries on Wednesday and pray it didn’t clear until my dad got paid Friday. So short term loan for food purpose?

Some people arent setup for credit cards. Think swap meets and garage sales. Basically anyone who is selling stuff for a day or two.

Everyone can take a check.