Use Gel Pens to Write Checks
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222222)
United States
August 10, 2021 4:39am CST
Do you use a gel pen to write your checks? A lot of people today pay their bills online through their bank's website; but occasionally it's necessary to write a physical check.
Using a regular ballpoint pen to write a check allows a criminal to "wash" your check and reuse it. The check written with a gel pen cannot be "washed" and is much more secure.
What do you use to write your checks?
Photo Credit: Pixabay
22 people like this
26 responses
@lovebuglena (52142)
• Staten Island, New York
11 Aug 21
Interesting. I had no idea one can "wash" the check and reuse it. I don't remember the last time I had written a check. I actually have to shred the checkbooks I have as the last name on them is not updated. Unless that doesn't matter. I have no idea.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (52142)
• Staten Island, New York
11 Aug 21
@LindaOHio That's the best thing. Don't need to worry about whether the check you mail gets to its destination.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
12 Aug 21
@lovebuglena And you don't have to run out all the time and go to the post office or mail box.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Aug 21
Fortunately I pay most of our bills through the bank.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Aug 21
The rare occasion I do write a check it is whatever pen I have in reach
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Aug 21
@LindaOHio I put most stuff on the credit card to earn Amazon rewards. Then pay that online.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Aug 21
I do most of our bill paying through the bank and rarely write a check.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
12 Aug 21
@wolfgirl569 We charge just about everything we can too for the credit card points.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
16 Aug 21
I had no idea! No wonder my dad used to insist writing checks with the gel or fountain pen.
I honestly can't remember the last time I had to write checks because most of my transactions are done online these days.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
16 Aug 21
@LindaOHio It's so much more convenient that way, isn't it? 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
16 Aug 21
I pay most of our bills online as well.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Aug 21
I've heard of check washing. It's very rare that I ever write checks anymore, so I'm not really worried about it. I either pay all my bills online, or use my credit card. I can't even remember that last time I wrote a check for something.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Aug 21
@LindaOHio Even at the doctor's office I pay with my credit card. And if I need to pay anyone cash, I will just Zelle, Venmo or PayPal the cash to them through my phone.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
12 Aug 21
Same here. I write checks for doctors' co-pays and to our little housekeeper. That's about it. We use our credit card as much as possible for the points; and I pay our bills through the bank online.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (79311)
• Germany
27 Aug 21
@LindaOHio I don’t think checks are still use here in Germany.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
28 Aug 21
@thelme55 How unusual! Interesting.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
21 Aug 21
I do most of my bill paying online through the bank. I only write 2-3 checks a month.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
10 Aug 21
i don't remember the last time I wrote a check - but my wife only uses gel pens!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
12 Aug 21
@DocAndersen The only checks we write right now are co-pays to the doctors and checks to our little housekeeper.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Aug 21
Good for her! I do most of our bill paying through the bank.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
11 Aug 21
@LindaOHio i do all of it - i think we are down to 2 checks a month now
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
13 Aug 21
@LindaOHio I have mine coming from bank draft all except for a few but I do them by phone. I do write checks at the pharmacy but that is seldom.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
12 Aug 21
I only write a couple of checks a month. The rest is done through bill pay online and via credit card.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
10 Aug 21
@LindaOHio I never used checks a lot, I prefer direct payments from bank account to bank account.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
10 Aug 21
Whatever you feel comfortable with..
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Aug 21
@LindaOHio Yes, that's how we pay most of our bills too.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
16 Aug 21
Most of our payments are done online through our bank.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4387)
•
31 Aug 21
I didn't realize gel pens resisted being washed off--I've drawn on myself with gel pens (they work pretty well to make fake "tattoos"), but they seem to wash quite easily off my skin, anyway. I do like to write with them, so I end up writing my checks with them most of the time, I'm sure.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Aug 21
I pay most of our bills through the bank.
1 person likes this
@Miladmalik (322)
•
10 Aug 21
The fact that, when I am using gel pens I feel that my writing is more readable ??
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
14 Aug 21
I didn't know but thankfully I no longer have to use checks. Good advice there for those who still do though. Thanks. How engenius .
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
10 Aug 21
I use a ballpoint pen but rarely write a check
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Aug 21
Me either. I pay most of the bills through the bank.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22199)
• United States
10 Aug 21
I didn't know that. I may have to switch to gel pens now.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
11 Aug 21
Never used a gel pen to write a check. Never had a problem with checks before using ink, but I guess it could happen. I usually photo copy them to have a record. And you can see a physical copy online if any hanky panky is happening. Amazing what crooks will do.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Aug 21
If it can be done, a crook will do it.
1 person likes this
