[chimeracoder]

> Other countries laugh at us when we talk about the checks we have to write,

Checks are increasingly rare in the US as well. Ask someone under the age of 25 how often they write a physical check to someone who isn't their landlord. (And even many landlords are starting to accept other forms of payment these days).

Personally, I don't think I've written a physical check in at least five years, except to my superintendent (holiday gift - I don't want to send cash by mail, and it's the one time that a physical check is actually the most convenient way to pay someone).

> the scams we endure with mistaken payments / withdrawals without our knowledge

SEPA, which is what is used in Europe, is actually vulnerable to mistaken payments and similar scams as well. It's faster than ACH, but it's just as easy to send money to the wrong recipient (and just as difficult to rectify if that happens).

[supernova87a]

Well, at least it's your mistake that you make. (I agree that some better checksum or verification before you press "send" might be good).

In the US, people can withdraw from your bank account if they have the numbers. And it's on you to detect and report the fraud to get it reversed.

[ThePowerOfFuet]

How is SEPA vulnerable to "mistaken payments"?