Do anons remember the "e-check"? I used to be able to pay my utility bill, for example, on line without a credit card. If I recall correctly I had to have my complete account number and the bank routing number.

I gave up the practice when the utility (not the bank, I don't think) began charging a fee to do this. The fee was higher than the cost of a stamp, so I chose to start mailing the payment.

It occurs to me that the virtual elimination of "e-checks" could be part of forcing us into large electronic systems.

Any thoughts about this?