How do I tell if a Postal Money order is real?
913839
Most postal money orders have a tracking number on them.  You can call the 800 # for the United States Post Office and they should be able to verify where and when it was purchased.\n\nGood Luck
1016381
good answer panzerleader!\n\nI would like to add, make sure you have either a purchase confirmation number given to you at the time of purchase, credit card or bank statement you can provide as evidence of purchase.
817703
It's probably a postal mail scam and/or a poorly executed marketing campaign.\n\nIf it has an address or telephone number, you could probably type it into a Google search box and see what comes up.\n\nYou can also search the Better Business Bureau website for consumer complaints against the company, if someone has reported it.
767205
Not sure about the watermark but a way to test whether any bank note (British ones at least) is genuine is to rub it on a piece of paper. If any dye comes off you know that it's real. Might have to rub pretty hard though. You can also usually tell by the feel of the paper and by ripping it a little at the top where the silver thread is. The thread should weave though the paper so by ripping it you can see if it is sewn in or just printed on.
658034
There r several machine to check those fake USD$. The way which I check the dollar is by its color. Just fold the note and rub it on a clean plain paper like how u strike match stick to make fire, if it leaves a mark or color then it is original and if it doesn't it is duplicate. I learned this in a training in Dubai.
151023
Looks like a big scam to me.  I wouldnt dare order something via the internet and pay by a money wire.
698357
They do have the ability, but they will probably confiscate the money if it is found to be fake.  There are cheap devices you can get to check money yourself.  They are called Counterfeit Money Detection Systems and the lower end ones sell for under $20.00.
74783
report it, but it's probally coming from nigera, as so many of these fake postal money order/ casher checks ect come from, good luck hunting them down, they are really good at doing this. the him thanks for the fake m.o, don't be foolish enough to cash it. turn the m.o to postal inspector and let them deal with it.
980369
Money Orders can take up to six months for the company that issued it to verify it.\n\nYou're on the hook for the money.\n\nThis is an old scam.
182924
No.\nNo!\nNo. No. No. No. No.\n\nNEVER EVER EVER use a money order to buy something on line. It is VERY unsafe. It's as safe as sending cash. You will never see that money again. Use paypal instead.\n\nThere was just a big article on MSN.com about a woman who bought a 2.5k dress on ebay, paid with a money order, and got scammed. Apparently that kind of fraud is skyrocketing because it's the hardest to trace and prosecute.
141599
The claim information is on the back of the stub.  If you don't have the stub, go to the place that you purchased it and ask them to write down the info. for you.  \nKeep in mind that if will be extremely difficult to prove that the money order is yours, or that it really exists, without the stub.
1128026
Simple : A fake dollar will not have the face on the right , some you can't see the face but their still real . There 's a someting a policeman told me when someone gave me a fake bill he said put the money up to a light and if it has a USA five or one or just what ever bill you got ! if is has that USA black written line going through the bill on any side it's real. That is one thing people can't copy! And some people don't even notice that.
865494
If you mailed him the money order, you can file a mail fraud complaint with the USPS.  It may take a long time (up to a year) but you will get your money back because he either pays you back or faces federal charges.\n\nIt really works.  They seriously will hunt his butt down.  Those postal inspectors mean business!  You can print out the forms at the USPS website.\n\nGet proof that he cashed your money order before you file, and include everything with your complaint (a copy of the auction, e-mails, etc).
1124559
try the post office. or some shops may accept them. As long as the money order does not have not negotioble across it. it should be ok. The post office is your best bet though, or try a bank if they ask for ID.
986334
Sounds like it's the same as a cashier's check, but some banks call a cashier's check something different if it's under $10,000.\n\nEven banks have a hard time telling if their own cashier's checks are real, so be very careful.  You may want to withhold your shipping until the check has been verified and cleared through your bank.  That can take 1-7 days, though if you talk with your banker, perhaps it can be accelerated.
298690
Take it to a bank and let them confirm that it's real.  If they say it's real quickly exchange it for two fifties.
971744
You need to have it authenticated. One turned up in Canada recently and it turned out to be a fake.