I'll take a paper check any day over some scumbag re-loadable Visa or Mastercard.
Paper checks can be verified by calling the issuing bank and verifying the funds. It doesn't matter who the bank is or how much the check is for. It doesn't matter who you are. Just explain you have a check from so and so's bank account and want to make sure the funds are there before you deposit it into your own account.
Of course they will not tell you how many dollars are in it, but once you give them the number they will say yes or no.
