This report provides explanations of checks and checking accounts and offers guidelines for their use. Types of checks which are explained include personal checks, negotiable orders of withdrawal, counter checks, universal checks, domestic and international money orders, cashier's checks, and travelers checks. A description of the different features on the face of a check is given. Guidelines and potential difficulties are discussed: (1) cashing checks (identification, personal checks, checks issued to an individual, two-party checks, and endorsements); and (2) depositing checks (deposit slips, endorsement for deposit only, partial deposits, deposit receipts, and placement of a hold on a check). Procedures for notifying the bank and authorities of lost, stolen, or forged checks and for stopping payment on a check are presented along with bank policies for dealing with rejected checks and overdrafts. Tips to save time and tips to save trouble are also included. Information in this report is current at the time of printing, June 1982, but is subject to change. (DC)