[CalChris]

I use Zelle all the time but with people I know. In fact, I can't remember where my check book is. I use Apple Pay all the time and I use an actual credit card about once a month. I use cash at one place, my taco truck of choice. And for the record, I've never touched bitcoin.

I've used PayPal and Venmo but I don't see their utility now and prefer Apple Pay.

All of these modern tools have their benefits and risks. I got burned for $40 on Zelle for a bike part. It was a $40 lesson.

[isanengineer]

Agreed. I'm being hyperbolic when I say "do not ever use Zelle". I'm sure it's fine for passing money between friends. It's just that my version of the $40 lesson had a few more zeros on the end, and so stings a bit more.

For me I only use Venmo because that's what most people in social circles use. If they used Cash App or Apple Pay, I'd use those instead.

[yieldcrv]

lol checkbook, never had one

an employer’s direct deposit system, at a third party payroll company asked me for a voided check

I photoshopped my bank account and routing number on a stock image of a voided check

I get paid no problem. dumb process.

[lobf]

The point of a voided check is to prevent an issue in case you make a mistake manually recording your checking and routing numbers. It’s just an insurance policy- there’s really no reason not to do it.

[yieldcrv]

yes its good that its just to help avoid user error instead of a real requirement, its bad that its masqueraded as a real requirement

[prepend]

It’s the easiest way to collect this info from most people. Getting a voided check will pass the info from people who don’t know the account number and routing number.

So it’s a good, real requirement because it works more frequently than any other alternatives.

[yieldcrv]

at least photoshop works and I don't have to go get a real check or order checkbooks

you know what works even better though? copy and paste. banking and technology illiterate wage slaves aren't the only ones that wind up with employment on occassion. payroll companies should offer multiple ways to get this done.

[prepend]

I worked an a site that did lots of ach transactions.

We had so many support tickets and errors from people making errors with entering routing and account numbers. Like 20% of all new payees enters bounced back or went to the wrong place. This worked out because new payees were rare since people typically pay the same people over and over.

I think HR does the cancelled check thing because the risk of error is so great and consequential. If people’s paycheck fails, that’s bad.

Walking people through cutting and pasting is harder than “give me a check.”