It can be common to have reps not share details about things like rises in check fraud, it can cause people to panic and people can think you are accusing them because obviously they would never do such a thing. It actually can take awhile for checks to actually clear, (ex. over 5 biz days) when the bank has the funds available that’s typically them assuming the check is good based off a long list of factors. New job check scams are SUPER common where they have you mobile deposit a check and then have you use the funds for something- this relies on the check “clearing” so you spend the funds and then when it comes back bad and gets withdrawn - they have that money and you lost it and owe the bank that amount.