You said it yourself. You don't use checks much..but neither do other people.
Check Numbers mean nothing. You can request any check number you want when you order checks. I have yet to be asked to verify the check number I am requesting. They are a check guarantee company, and if their "parameters" are set up a certain way that is their right. It is no different than a Credit Card company setting requirements for approval. It doesn't matter if you have 5 credit cards for a decade and never a late payment. If you don't meet the "parameters" of the credit card they will decline you if you attempt to open an account.
There are other options. You can use your Debit Card linked to your checking account. This is no different than writting a check. In fact it is actually a bit safer. With a check you have a physical piece of paper with not only your full bank account information, but your name, address, and signature. More than enough for a person to use for identity theft. There are probably no less than 2-3 people in that store who would have direct access to all of your information. While a Debit Card has no information other than an account and name. It also is stored electronically, where the only physical print out does not even contain your entire number making it almost impossible to be taken.
I was told they could not access my account. Well, this is BS.
- No that is not BS, they can not legally access your account, other than basic information. The only thing they could do is call to verify if you have enough funds fr the amount of the check at the time they call. However that does not guarantee that you will have the funds when the check comes in to the bank. Unlike Debit Cards that not only verify available funds..but "hold" that money.
Also, checks may never go away, but they are going to start being accepted all together by less and less stores. There are several stores(some major chains) that already no longer accept checks.