USPS / Canada Post Announce Money Order Change

[Drewk86a]

The United States Postal Service no longer sells international postal money orders destined for Canada and the USPS no longer cashes international postal money orders issued by Canada Post.

Additionally, Canada Post no longer sells international postal money orders destined for the Unites States, and the organization no longer cashes international postal money orders issued by the Postal Service.

These changes took effect Aug 30.

https://link.usps.com/2019/09/06/money-orders-update/

Not sure how many people buy, trade, or sell using money orders, but this could have some impact. Anyone who has a USPS issued international money order can redeem it at any US Post Office for face value.

[30ranfordfan]

Odd that they'd discontinue it..... but I'm guessing as far as online business goes, the number of people this impacts will be minimal. For those that do use money order - I'm assuming that you can still go to your bank, and have a money order drawn in whatever currency you like.


Likely the reason is volume, and they do so little of this business, it's not worth the cost to administer.

[Drewk86a]

The USPS, lately, has been concerned about people using money orders for scams. Sometimes people will buy one and try to alter the amount and cash it for the larger amount. With domestic money orders, you have a greater chance of catching the fraud. With international ones it may be more difficult. There may also be concern of "nefarious" people trying to filter money into the US from foreign sources.

[30ranfordfan]

The USPS, lately, has been concerned about people using money orders for scams. Sometimes people will buy one and try to alter the amount and cash it for the larger amount. With domestic money orders, you have a greater chance of catching the fraud. With international ones it may be more difficult. There may also be concern of "nefarious" people trying to filter money into the US from foreign sources.

Hunh.


I've never bought a money order from the post office before..... haven't bought one in years (last one I recall came from my bank).

I would have expected that the amount would be in some kind of typed font (and clearly printed on it by some kind of typing machine). That in and of itself would be easy enough to alter (I guess) but I'd also expect there to be some kind of serial numbering with it, that should match to a second copy held by the issuer.

If Canada Post issued a money order that USPS would cash, I would have expected that it was as simple as the USPS end of things punching in a serial number, and making sure that the details provided from the lookup match what's on the physical copy in front of them.

If I give CP $50, they draw a money order, and I send it to you.... you take it to USPS and get $50, then CP is giving that $50 to USPS. I surprised that the post office doesn't have a way to verify it - on spot - to make sure it's all legit.

[Drewk86a]

Hunh.


I've never bought a money order from the post office before..... haven't bought one in years (last one I recall came from my bank).

I would have expected that the amount would be in some kind of typed font (and clearly printed on it by some kind of typing machine). That in and of itself would be easy enough to alter (I guess) but I'd also expect there to be some kind of serial numbering with it, that should match to a second copy held by the issuer.

If Canada Post issued a money order that USPS would cash, I would have expected that it was as simple as the USPS end of things punching in a serial number, and making sure that the details provided from the lookup match what's on the physical copy in front of them.

If I give CP $50, they draw a money order, and I send it to you.... you take it to USPS and get $50, then CP is giving that $50 to USPS. I surprised that the post office doesn't have a way to verify it - on spot - to make sure it's all legit.

Last year, there were three instances of postal clerks in my city alerting authorities to scams. People would buy several one dollar money orders, then alter then to look like $10 or $100. Mostly they hope the clerks don't look at them too closely. Also, people try to steal blank money orders, print amounts on them and try to cash them at an unsuspecting PO.

https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm

[30ranfordfan]

Last year, there were three instances of postal clerks in my city alerting authorities to scams. People would buy several one dollar money orders, then alter then to look like $10 or $100. Mostly they hope the clerks don't look at them too closely. Also, people try to steal blank money orders, print amounts on them and try to cash them at an unsuspecting PO.

https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm

Yikes.


If fraud was becoming that big of a problem..... and I suspect volumes not all that high.... no wonder they'd want to move away from them.