(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina lawmakers are considering restrictions or bans on so-called live checks, unsolicited mailings that require only a signature to be cashed at the bank.

Opponents say they're ripe for use in identity thefts and allow lenders to hook unsuspecting, and perhaps overly optimistic, recipients with high-interest loans when the people think they've won prizes.

Advocates call such offers vital in an ecomomy that's clamped down on credit. In the middle are some South Carolina lawmakers who want to beef up required warnings on the checks, but consider banning them too paternal.

Debate on the proposal is expected to continue in the state Senate this week.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP 02-15-09 1436EST

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)