In the movie Catch Me If You Can, Leonardo di Caprio plays a conman who impersonates not by

changing his name, but rather changing his background and profession at every new place he stays in;
as a matter of fact he retains his name because otherwise he will not be able to use his greatest asset:
his checks.
This movie showed how powerful a check may be; that as a substitute for money even without
physical money to your name or hand, you can get from people what you want and need by just
handing them a check.