Abstract: The system disclosed is for making payments using a new type of bank check combined with electronic funds transfer (EFT) facilities The new type check is not a negotiable instrument and is intended for delivery to the payor's bank rather than to the payee. The check instructs the payor's bank to make a payment by EFT from the payor's bank account directly to the bank account of the payee at the payee's bank, normally via the Federal Reserve's Automated Clearing House (ACH) facility. The system includes means for making a true, but inoperative, copy of each check at the time the check is written. Other embodiments of the invention are special checks, which look like conventional checks, but on their reverse sides display printed matter stating that they are non-negotiable and are payable only pursuant to special procedures.