Still Writing Checks?

As shopping gets more high tech, more shoppers are pulling out debit and credit cards.

So is it time to leave your checkbook home?

Thousands of transactions everyday at this Wal-Mart store, but it's hard to find anyone paying with a check.

"I only write checks for one thing. Everything else is done online," said one shopper.

In fact, when it comes to traditional check writing, people seem to be breaking with tradition.

"I wouldn't leave home without the checkbook 10 years ago, and we just went on vacation last week and I didn't take the check book with me," said Claire Barclay who admits she seldom writes checks.

Barclay is part of the growing number of check writers who are breaking the habit, she says checks are too personal.

"Well you don't have to give everybody your name and address with an ATM card. And it's right there. Your address, your telephone number needs to be on a check."

Claire now pays many of her bills online, writing fewer and fewer checks.

"I do think this piece of paper, the check, is on its way out," said Beth Givens of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Givens says a check in the hands of a crook can be a nightmare.

That's why she recommends for most transactions using cash or a credit card.

"Look at all of your accounts and convert as many as you feel comfortable with to an automatic deduction, either from your checking account or from your credit card. And then of course monitor those accounts very carefully," said Givens.

Online transactions don't get put in the mailbox. No envelopes, no stamps to deal with. So will we be pulling out the checkbook 10 years from now?"

"No. I think in the future we'll use cash and we'll use credit cards. I don't think we'll use checks," Givens said.

Now whether you use a check or a credit card you need to be good about watching your balance.

It will save you on late fees and keep you on guard of someone tries to get into your account.