Checks Are Still Everywhere—Even in 2026
If you thought check payments were on their way out, the latest data tells a very different story.
According to the 2026 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report, checks remain deeply embedded in business operations:
- 91% of organizations still use checks
- 75% have no immediate plans to reduce usage
- 68% rely on checks for vendor payments
- 72% expect to continue using checks for the foreseeable future
Despite the rise of digital payments, checks continue to play a critical role—especially in B2B transactions where vendors often require them.
The Problem: Checks Are the #1 Target for Fraud
While checks remain widely used, they also represent the highest-risk payment method.
According to the AFP report, 58% of organizations reported that checks were the payment type most impacted by fraud in 2025, exceeding other payment methods such as ACH and wire transfers.
Why are checks such an easy target?
- They contain sensitive information (account and routing numbers)
- They can be intercepted, altered, or duplicated
- Manual processes create opportunities for human error and fraud
Why Businesses Continue to Use Checks
Despite well-documented risks, check usage remains difficult to replace entirely. So, why are companies still using them?
1. Vendor Requirements
Many vendors—especially in industries like property management, construction, and legal—still require check payments.
2. Simplicity in Reconciliation
Checks provide a clear paper trail that finance teams are comfortable with.
3. Legacy Approval Processes
Accounts payable workflows haven’t fully evolved, and switching systems can feel disruptive.
So, while the risks are real, the solution isn’t eliminating checks—it’s modernizing how they’re used.
The Smarter Approach: Modernize Your Check Payments
Given the continued reliance on checks, organizations must focus on modernizing their check payment processes rather than replacing them outright.
This includes:
- Reducing manual handling of checks
- Strengthening internal controls and approval processes
- Integrating fraud prevention tools directly into payment workflows
- Leveraging automation to improve accuracy and oversight
A modernized approach allows businesses to maintain operational continuity while significantly reducing risk.
How Checkrun Supports Secure, Modern Check Payments
Checkrun is built for companies that still rely on checks—but want to eliminate the risk, inefficiency, and manual work that comes with them. Here’s how:
Remote Check Printing (No More Risky Pre-Printed Stock)
Print checks securely from anywhere using blank check stock—reducing the risk of theft or tampering.
Print & Mail Service (Eliminate Handling Risk)
Skip the office entirely. Checkrun prints and mails checks for you. By outsourcing check distribution, you will reduce internal handling errors and minimize exposure to fraud.
Built-In Positive Pay Integration
Automatically generate and send Positive Pay files to your bank—helping detect and prevent fraudulent transactions before they clear.
Approval Workflows & Controls
Add layers of internal control with approval processes that reduce human error and unauthorized payments.
Seamless QuickBooks Integration
A two-way sync directly with QuickBooks Online eliminates manual entry, improves accuracy, and streamlines reconciliation.
The Bottom Line
The findings from the 2026 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report make it clear that checks will remain a critical part of business payments for the foreseeable future. However, they also continue to represent the most significant source of fraud risk.
Organizations must move beyond traditional, manual processes and adopt modern solutions that enhance both security and efficiency.
By modernizing check workflows, businesses can continue to meet vendor requirements while significantly reducing their exposure to fraud.
Checkrun provides the tools necessary to achieve this balance—helping organizations transform how they manage checks—while upgrading the entire process to meet today’s security standards. Ready to make your check payments smarter, safer, and more efficient? Book a demo with Checkrun today!
