I have never been required to put up a cash or check deposit to rent a car. I have always given my credit card which, as far as I can tell, is pinged but nothing held on it. No charges have ever been placed until I return the car and I always get a receipt for that. Now my sister does not use a credit card and she had to put up a deposit before she could rent a car. Enterprise is the only company that allows such a thing nowadays (she checked with others and they all declined without a major credit card, debit card with visa/mc is not acceptable) so you may have no choice if you want to pay by cash or check.