How to Trace a Money Order That You Already Sent Out
When you send a money order through the mail, how can you be sure that it will actually get there? You're depending on the post office or other delivery service to get it there safely, but there are no guarantees. If for some reason the recipient does not receive the money order in a reasonable amount of time, there is usually a way that you can trace the payment with the issuing company and get information about whether or not the money order was cashed. You must have the money order stub to do this.
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Instructions
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Identify the name of the money order issuer so that you can find a contact number. You can find the issuer's company name on your money order stub. The money order issuer is similar to a bank, and your money order acts just like a check being cashed against a bank account.
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Call the issuer and explain that the recipient has not yet received the money order. Give the money order number and name of the recipient to the agent. The agent will take this information and run a trace on the money order. This could be instant, or it could take a few days to retrieve the trace information. Leave your phone number with the agent.
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Wait for information from the money order issuer. The issuer can dig up information about where and when the money order was cashed (and if it was cashed in the first place). The company can also tell you who cashed the money order.
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File a dispute with the issuer if the name of your recipient doesn't match up with the name of the person who cashed the money order. Ultimately, the bank or check cashing location that cashed the check for the wrong recipient is responsible for the amount lost.
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Tips & Warnings
Allow at least 2 weeks from the time you mail your money order before attempting to trace a missing money order. For added protection, get your money order from the U.S. Postal Service. Though USPS money orders are slightly more expensive compared with other issuers, the USPS has a reliable service and a thorough, efficient process for handling money order issues. The next time you send an important money order, send the money order via certified mail or FEDEX with insurance to cover the amount in case it is lost in the mail. It will cost you an extra $10 to $15, but it's worth it if you're sending a large amount of money.
