When purchasing with a money order, you may wish to know if the payment has been received and cashed by the intended recipient. Money orders can be tracked, but it will take time and money to do so.
What is the Process of Tracking Money Orders
Money orders, unlike personal checks, aren't linked to your bank account and are frequently purchased with cash (though some places will accept a debit card). You won't find any sign of the money order clearing in your bank transaction history if you pay with cash. Money order payments, on the other hand, can be tracked by submitting a request to the money order issuer. USPS (United States Postal Service): If your phone is lost or stolen, fill out an online form and pay a small cost. 2 You can also go to a local post office. MoneyGram: Fill out the online form, contact 1-800-926-9400 for customer service, or visit a MoneyGram location near you. Call 1-800-999-9660 or fill out an online form to pay up to $15 administrative fees to Western Union. Below, we go over each of these alternatives in greater detail.Putting In Your Request
The issuer usually sends a copy of the endorsed money order (indicating who cashed or deposited it and when) or notices that the money order has not yet been cashed after around 30 days. You may be able to cancel the money order and receive a refund if it is still outstanding. The actual procedure differs from one issuer to the next. 1Obtain the information you require
You should receive a receipt containing the order details when you purchase a money order. You'll need to submit the money order number and the order amount to trace the transaction. You should be able to check the money order status on the service's website. Enter the serial number and the amount that was issued. You'll also need the office number for money orders issued by a US post office. Make a snapshot or a duplicate of the money order, so you have the information if you need to trace it down.Service Fees Must Be Paid
It might take time and money to track a money order, especially if you fear it has been misplaced or stolen. The USPS charges a $6.95 processing fee to replace a lost or stolen money order. Other issuers charge up to $15 or more to investigate and reimburse potentially lost or stolen payments (if needed). 3 You may also be required to complete forms, often in person, and you may not receive a response (much less a refund) for up to 30 days.Make contact with the recipient
Communicate with the individual to whom you submitted the money order if possible. People and businesses don't always accept money orders immediately, and depositing the funds once they arrive can take even longer. It may be easier to obtain information directly from your payee than to fill out papers.Consider the option of waiting
Before abandoning and canceling a money order, it's worth waiting at least two weeks after you send the cash. Most messages come within a few days; however, payments appear to flow more slowly. This process can take even longer on vacations and weekends. Furthermore, the beneficiary may have been out of town or busy when the money was received. However, if something looks off, it's a good idea to seek answers as soon as possible.Money Orders from the US Postal Service
You must go to a post office and fill out a Money Order Inquiry if you used a USPS money order. You'll need the receipt from your original transaction, which shows the money order number, amount, and information about the post office where you bought it, to fill out the form. You may also track the status of your money order through the internet. For researching a money order, the USPS charges $6.95. The process can take 30 to 60 days, and you'll get a copy of the front and back of the money order if it's been cashed or deposited. With such information, you can figure out where the money ended up. If you can't wait, that lengthy, specific unofficial "workarounds" may help determine whether the money order was cashed or deposited. To see if the item "does not match," try calling the post office or filling out the Money Order Status form. However, the information you get may not be accurate because the system was not meant to do what you're trying to do. The only way to be sure is to fill out Form 6401 and wait. It's a little easier to track a MoneyGram money order. MoneyGram's Customer Service Center can be reached at 1-800-926-9400, or you can fill out an online form. 5 Enter your money order number and the exact dollar amount, and the system should tell you whether or not the item has been cashed. If you don't have the transaction number, you'll need to fill out a form and go to a nearby MoneyGram facility. Fill out a Claim Card, pay $18 , and wait 15 to 30 days for a written answer if the money order has been cashed and you want a copy of the endorsed money order or if you need to file a claim. If you don't have your money order number, you'll probably have to pay a fee and fill out a new form to get the necessary information. You might also be able to seek these services in-person to ensure a seamless procedure.Money Orders from Western Union
Western Union uses a similar system to MoneyGram. Call 1-800-999-9660.8 to ensure the money order was cashed before filling out papers and paying costs. You can fill out and mail in the Money Order Research Request form if you require a copy of a paid money order but don't have your receipt. The copy will cost you $30 in administrative fees. Unless you want to cancel the money order, don't submit your request for a copy until the receiver has processed your money order. You'll either get a photocopy or a refund, or Western Union will tell you that it couldn't locate your money order at that point, depending on the status of your money order. Western Union could take anywhere from six to eight weeks to respond. If you feel the money order has been lost, stolen, unused, not received, or destroyed, the Money Order Customer Request online form may be helpful.Issuers of Other Money Orders
Western Union or MoneyGram money orders are commonly issued at grocery stores, convenience stores, and check cashing locations. If your money order was issued by a company that isn't listed here (such as your bank or credit union), you might still be able to trace it. It may even be simpler—especially if you bank with a small bank. A simple phone call may be all that is required instead of filling out forms.Money Orders You've Received: Tracking and Crashing
If you receive a payment via money order, the practicalities of processing the payment are handled by your bank. You can deposit the amount into your bank account or cash the money order. If you suspect a money order you got is fake, you should contact the money order provider and explain your concerns. It may be feasible to validate the payment's finances or, at the very least, determine whether it's a recognized forgery.Spend the money only once you're sure the funds have cleared.
Even if your bank's funds availability policy permits you to utilize the money immediately, clearing can take a few weeks. If you utilize the money and it turns out to be a bogus money order, the bank will demand that you reimburse the money. Accepting payment by money order is best if you know who you're working with. On the other hand, money orders allow for anonymous payments, for better or worse. If you require assistance researching criminal behavior, you may need to involve law enforcement officials (and they might not be able to help).Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the procedure for cashing a money order?
Banks, credit unions, and grocery stores are among the places where cash checks and money orders are made. You'll need to sign the money order and present identification, and you may be charged a fee.What is the cost of a money order
Money order fees vary depending on the firm and the order size, but they're usually under $2 per $1,000 transferred. USPS, for example, charged $1.45 for money orders up to $500 and $1.95 for orders between $500 and $1,000 in January 2022.How long does a money order last
Money orders don't usually have an expiration date, so they're technically sound forever. However, fees may be charged if a money order isn't paid within a specified time.