I've lost count of how many establishments (like utilities or municipal taxes) charge extra for other forms of payment, but nothing extra for checks. Follow the money.
Exactly. More generally, the promoters of electronic payments mock other forms while piling constraints, skipping features, adding costs, sneaking in more onerous terms and conditions.
Example: My bank will let me schedule in advance and will mail for me a check - all free of extra charges. But will not let me schedule a Zelle payment in advance. Oh, did they mention the amount limits for Zelle? No they didn't, but they are there.
Paperless billing does not preclude paying with a check. I pay rent and utility bills with checks if they charge a non-trivial fee for using a credit card. I'm not giving them direct access to my bank account either.
I am not really to worried about large corps outright steeling. More that the will eventually raise a rate or add a fee. Giving out account info is might be a security risk but so much is out of my hands,it seems.
Getting the paper bill in the mail is a nice reminder to check up on things.
