PREVENTION TIPS

This is a crime that does not need to happen. It's really just an old "confidence" scam. Everyone needs to learn to recognize money order security features. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• FOR CONSUMERS
  • Be skeptical of anyone asking you to wire money to overseas bank accounts, or to cash money orders or checks, on their behalf.
  • Never disclose personal or financial information to anyone you don't know.
  • Familiarize yourself with postal money order security features.
  • Never wire funds to anyone unless you're sure the money order or check they gave you was cleared by your bank and the funds released.
• FOR BUSINESSES
  • Confirm buyer's name, street address, and telephone number.
  • Never accept a check or money order for more than the selling price.
  • Resist pressure to "act now." If the buyer's offer is good now, it should be good when the check or money order clears.
• FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
  • Always verify money order security features prior to cashing one.
  • Be alert for anyone trying to cash multiple money orders in denominations of $800 to $1,000.
  • Ask customers what their purpose is in cashing the multiple money orders.