Target Payment Changes Affecting Personal Checks

Target has made some significant changes to their payment policies, particularly when it comes to personal checks.

They've eliminated the option to use personal checks for purchases at their stores, so you won't be able to pay with a check in person anymore.

However, you can still use personal checks to pay for purchases online through Target's website or mobile app.

Target also offers alternative payment options, such as credit and debit cards, as well as digital payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

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Target is joining the growing list of major retailers that no longer accept personal checks as a form of payment.

The change will take effect on July 15, with Target citing "extremely low volumes" of personal check use as the reason for the decision.

Target has taken several measures to notify customers in advance to aid an easy and efficient checkout experience.

Customers can expect to continue using other payment methods, including credit, debit or Target Circle Cards, digital wallets, and cash.

The number of people using personal checks has declined dramatically over the years, with the use of personal checks declining to 3% of all payments in 2023.

Around 61% of Americans still write checks, according to a 2024 report by Abrigo, a financial software solutions company.

Younger consumers, including Gen Z and Millennials, self-reported writing more checks than older consumers from Gen X.

Target is not the only store to wave farewell to checks, with grocery store Aldi and Amazon-owned Whole Foods also not accepting personal checks as a form of payment.

The decision to stop accepting personal checks comes as part of a series of changes to the retailer's checkout experience.

Target will continue to accept cash, digital wallets, buy now/pay later services, SNAP/EBT cards, credit, and debit cards.

The shift in consumer preferences is driving the change, with many consumers shifting to digital payments such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.

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Target is phasing out personal checks as a form of payment, a move that's not surprising given the decline in their use.

Starting July 15, Target stores will no longer accept personal checks, joining a growing list of major retailers that have made the same decision.

The retail giant cited "extremely low volumes" of personal check use as the reason for the change.

Target has taken several measures to notify customers in advance, including informing them through various channels to aid an easy and efficient checkout experience.

The company will continue to accept other payment methods, including credit, debit, or Target Circle Cards, digital wallets, and cash.

According to the Federal Reserve Financial Services, the use of personal checks declined to 3% of all payments in 2023.

This decline is a sign of the times, with technology now in place that makes checks unnecessary.

As University of South Florida economist Michael Snipes explained, the move will make transaction costs lower for the business, allowing it to speed up the checkout process.

Target is not the only store to wave farewell to checks; grocery store Aldi and Amazon-owned Whole Foods also do not accept personal checks.

Around 61% of Americans are still writing checks, according to a 2024 report by Abrigo, a financial software solutions company.

However, younger consumers, including Gen Z and Millennials, self-reported writing more checks than older consumers from Gen X.

Target's decision to stop accepting personal checks comes amid a series of changes to its checkout experience, including limiting the number of items accepted at self-checkout counters to 10.

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