THE CHECK-GUARANTEE CARD IS ENJOYING CONSIDERABLY GREATER SUCCESS IN BELGIUM THAN CREDIT CARDS OF THE BANKAMERICARD OR AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD TYPE. PAYMENT ON CHECKS WRITTEN BY THE HOLDER OF SUCH A CARD IS GUARANTEED BY THE INSTITUTION ISSUING THE CARD. THE HOLDER CAN OBTAIN CASH UP TO A DETERMINED AMOUNT AT BANKING AND CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN 32 COUNTRIES UNDER THE EURO-CHEQUE AGREEMENT. HE ALSO HAS AUTOMATIC CREDIT UP TO A DETERMINED AMOUNT. THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THESE CARDS AS REGARDS CONTRACTS, OPENING A LINE OF CREDIT, REVOLVING CREDIT, BAD CHECKS, FRAUD COMMITTED BY MEANS OF CHECK-GUARANTEE CARDS, ETC., CITING JUDICIAL DECISIONS. HE CONCLUDES THAT THESE CARDS HAVE NOT CAUSED AN INCREASE IN CRIME OR EXCESSIVE INDEBTEDNESS AMONG THEIR HOLDERS, AND THAT THE CARDS DESERVE THE SUPPORT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW. --IN FRENCH SEE NCJ-32514 FOR ENGLISH TRANSLATION.