is it possible to commit fraud via a money order?

V

vgriffin

Registered Guest
hi :)

this question is in conjunction with my private feedback winner. she is willing to pay via money order, but i had heard something a while back about money orders not always being a surefire protection against fraud.

can anyone shed any light on this?


please let me know, when there's a moment.

thanks and cheers :)
 
also to add... the winner lists a PO box as an address. not sure if that matters any with a money order.

cheers --
 
It would probably depend on where the money order is coming from and where you live - perhaps banks reject certain money orders??? Although I do not have any experience with out of country money orders, I do know some Canadian sites that will only accept the US pink version and will not accept USPS green version.

I think PO boxes are usually risky, unless you are able to confirm with another seller. Being private, I suspect you do not have access to that info. When you mail, it would be safer to ask for a signed confirmation and pass this additional cost, if any, to the client with an explanation as to why. That way you are covered.
 
If someone pays you with a money order that is from the US Post Office, I don't think it is too much cause for alarm. If someone wants to pay you for mroe than the price and get "change back" or wants it shipped to a third person out of country that may be cause for concern.

But most of the time people use money orders because the seller does not accept personal checks or the buyer doesn't want there to be a delay waiting for the check to clear.

Many people have PO Box's for many reasons. In some rural areas, they don't even deliver to the curb. Some people live in apartment buildings where packages are not delivered to a secure places. (just left in the lobby), and sometimes they have a business in their home, but want to keep business mail seperate.

It might be different in the UK, but it is very common here.
 
If you feel unsure about the buyer, you might want to request a US postal money order as Linda suggested. I've heard that the post office is pretty good at spotting fake postal money orders, whereas a bank will (usually) just deposit it and let you know 6 or 8 weeks later when it bounces because it was fake.

Most of the scams using money orders involve the two scenarios Chris/patentleathershoes mentioned, or very high ticket items.

And as Chris pointed out, there are many legitimate reasons for using a post office box, and in fact, one must jump through several hoops to prove identity before renting a post office box. Please don't consider that a red flag.

Laura
 
Tamara, if the buyer is in Canada, suggest that they
send an International postal money order. USPS and
CPS have an agreement between them and the money orders are cashable at their respective branches.

Do make sure it is the international mo though. Canada,
on request from the US government several years ago,
can no longer accept the green domestic US postal
money orders. Apparently this was brought about to
try and deter several money laundering operations in
the US.

Sue
 
<i>Many people have PO Box's for many reasons. In some rural areas, they don't even deliver to the curb. Some people live in apartment buildings where packages are not delivered to a secure places. (just left in the lobby), and sometimes they have a business in their home, but want to keep business mail seperate.</i>

I just wanted to echo Linda, there are lots of reasons people have PO boxes, they are very common here too.

I suppose fraudulant money orders are out there, but I don't really think it's as widespread as it's made out to be.
I've had hundreds of MO's of every kind under the sun, with no problem.

The postal money orders are like cash in the bank, and no fees. :)
 
I am in Canada and our banks will only accept international money orders , the green ones are 'only negotiable in the States' (as printed on the front) unless you have a USA bank account..just thought I might solve that mystery
 
I have a U.S. bank account and at first they used to accept the USPS Green Postal Money Orders but after 3 years went by (I have been selling for close to 8 years in all on ebay now) they refused to take them.

These green money orders are actually marked on the front as negotiable within the U.S. and its Possessions only (which Canada still is not - who knows maybe one day in the distant future but not yet).

The main thing is to get an international money order from outside of your own country. I have never had a fake money order sent to me yet.
 
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