When you buy a big-ticket item like a car or make a large payment, such as a down payment on a house, you may be asked to pay with a certified check or a cashier’s check. These checks are less likely ...

If you want to make a large purchase, such as buying a car or putting a down payment on a new home, you might be wondering about the best payment method to use. Carrying large sums of cash can be ...

You’re closing an important transaction, andthe seller asks you to pay by certified check. Fine, you say — but what is a certified check, and why and when should you use one? A certified check is a ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Deepak Sethi / Getty Images Cashier's checks offer a secure payment method for large ...