Is the Check Fraud Division still viable?

I do not know about you, but I have not written a check to pay for something in years.  I dread being behind someone in a grocery store line that decides to write a check after the clerk totals their bill.  Had I seen the checkbook prior to joining the line I would skipped it and moved onto the next one.  The person using a check typically waits patiently viewing every item being scanned before taking out their checkbook.  The least they could be doing while waiting for the total is writing down the obvious information like the date, the store's name, and signing the check.  I see the need to write a check in some instances, but when a check/debit card is available it is much more convenient to use that form of payment.

The Federal Reserve estimates that check cashing has decreased by over three billion in the last ten years.  Not surprisingly, check/debit card has more then doubled during the same period.  This .trend is likely to increase in future since most recurring bills are paid online by people and point of purchase machines are readily available at most locations.  While our Houston Criminal Law office still accepts checks most of our business is conducted via credit card transactions.

I wonder how this has impacted the Check Fraud Division of the Harris County District Attorney's Office.  It has long been considered that part of the Office is a "pseudo" collection agency for Houston businesses.  Nevertheless, with the downward trend of check writing how much longer will the Check Fraud Division be sustainable.  The time is fast approaching to combine it with another department within the Harris County District Attorney's Office.