Have you ever needed to send or receive money from someone but didn’t know what the safest way to make the transaction would be? A money order may be the answer. Money orders are a safe way to both send and receive cash. They are similar to a personal check but are prepaid and therefore safer for the person receiving money. They don’t expire and are widely accepted.
Where do you get money orders and how do you track them?
How to Purchase and Track a Money Order
If you think that you could benefit from purchasing a money order you should know where you can buy one and how to track it. Money orders are not available everywhere, however, you can purchase money orders at each of these three convenient locations:
USPS Money Orders
Money orders are available for purchase at your local post office. USPS limits the amount you can send to $1,000. Simply walk into the post office and ask an attendant for a money order. You can fill out the form and send it immediately. If you send between $0.01 and $500 you will pay a $1.25 fee to send your money order through the post office. The fee for sending money orders over $500 is $1.65.
To track a money order from USPS use the serial number at the top left of the order. You can check the status of the money order on the USPS website or by calling 1-866-459-7822.
Most post offices offer this service but you should call ahead before going to your local branch to be sure.
Walmart Money Orders
You can track your MoneyGram from Walmart using the number on the left hand side of the order (in red in the photo above). You can enter this number and the last name of the person on the Walmart website or you can call 1-800-MoneyGram to track your money order.
CVS Money Orders
CVS and Walmart both use MoneyGram as their money order service. If you purchase a money order at CVS you can track it by using their website or by calling 1-800-MoneyGram.
How to Track a Money Order
Whether you purchase a money order at one of the above locations or somewhere else it is important to know how to track your money order. You should always be sure you have the tools you need to be able to track your money order.
Make sure that you always:
Get a receipt. Be sure that when you purchase your money order that you receive the proper receipt. In many cases the receipt is in the form of a stub on the side of the money order.
Locate the serial number. Call the customer service number for your money order (which will be located on the order). The automated service will prompt you to hit a button to track your order. It will then ask for a serial number, located on the order. You will then receive the location and status of your order.
Some money orders will allow you to track the order online, however, it is not a common practice. You will likely need to make a call to track your order.
Money orders are a reliable way to send payment and get paid, especially from a distance. Instead of writing and sending a personal check you can send money almost instantly. By using the money order services at any of these locations (and more) you will be able to safely make monetary exchanges and track them without having to worry.
Have you use any of these money order services? What was your experience?
Amanda Blankenship is the Chief Editor for District Media. With a BA in journalism from Wingate University, she frequently writes for a handful of websites and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn’t typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, and dog. During her free time, you’re likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.
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