It's similar to the early Internet days when people were afraid to use their credit card online, fearing someone would then get access to the number and use it illegally. I would always ask, "So, you go to dinner at a restaurant. At the end of the meal, you hand your credit card to the waiter and he disappears with it into the back. What's the difference?" Their reply would always be, "Oh, I never thought of that".

The US banking system is still run via paper. Even online, electronic bill through the bank sends paper checks for payment. And, you can't be sure funds are transferred until paper documents are received by your bank.

>So giving cash or a check is proper...but an account number isn't...Funny people those Americans...maybe we're more straightforward....
>
>Checks is so 70ties to us ;)