Why trek to local bank to deposit a check when you can slap it on a scanner or use your smartphone’s camera to upload it directly to your bank? Even though it still scares most of the bigger banks, remote deposit checking represents the future of consumer banking. Inside, a list of twenty-one credit unions and banks that are ready to save you a trip to the bank and the hassle of deposit slips. [More]
Debt Collector On Tape: "I'm Gonna F**** You Up"
By October 13, 2009
“When I see you, I’m gonna f*** you up,” says debt collector “Mickey,” pictured at left, on the answering machine of a guy who bounced a check. WTSP obtained the messages, some of the worst debt collector recordings I’ve ever heard, and you can listen to them here.
For Some Reason, People Don't Like Being Fingerprinted At The Bank
By July 29, 2009
If you’re not a Bank of America customer, but visit one of their branches to cash a check, you’ll need to be fingerprinted. No, check cashing is not a crime, and the bank is trying to protect itself against fraud, but some people still don’t like the idea of giving up their prints for cash.
So What's Replacing Boarded-Up Payday Lenders? Credit Unions!
By July 27, 2008
Consumers in Washington D.C. have apparently flocked to credit unions since the district outlawed payday lending last year. Payday lenders whined that lending without 300% APRs was utterly unaffordable, but credit unions are proving that it’s possible to make long-term, low-dollar loans with interest rates as low as 16%.
"Checkmate," The Straight Dope On Check Cashing Joints (Cameo By Ben Popken)
By May 21, 2008
The guys who brought you “The Ghetto Big Mac” have a new video up about the the hilarious and not-so-hilarious realities behind check chasing joints (with guest appearance by yours truly, Ben Popken). Besides the part where Internet Celebrities Rafi and Dallas try to cash an oversized check at one of these places, what I like best about this video is that it actually makes a sound case for check cashing places at times. If there’s no banks around in a poor neighborhood, what other choice do you have? Especially when banks have constructed all sorts of fees to discourage patronage by lower-income customers. Like Dallas says in the vid, “You really know you’ve made it when you move from check cashing fees to ATM fees.”
How Bad Are Check-Cashing Fees Really?
By March 5, 2008
Here’s the fees a MoneyGram check-cashing place near me will charge you to cash your checks:
Would You Scan Checks At Home For Deposit?
By February 9, 2008
Banks have hesitated to adopt technology that would let us scan paper checks at home for deposit. The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act allows banks to exchange electronic images instead of paper checks, but USAA, a credit union associated with the military, is currently the only bank to offer customers a check scanning option. Sure, it’s easy enough to stand on line for a teller or wait for an ATM, but we fear sunshine and people and prefer to stay indoors, thank you. Assuming it was free, is this something you would use if it was offered by your bank? Vote in our poll, after the jump.
How To Get A Checking Account: Solutions For The "Underbanked"
By July 2, 2007
There are three types of unbanked or underbanked people:
