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How to Avoid Counterfeit Money Orders |
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Written by Webmaster
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 |
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Money orders are supposed to be a fail form of the currency that people use around the world. However, a counterfeit money order has become the new way to part people from their hard earned money. The media and government of the United States have begun to take stock of how foreign individuals are bombarding Americans with this deceitful scheme. Thanks to all the press, much information is available on how to avoid becoming a victim.
How does this scam work? Well, the potential victim is contacted by a person from a foreign country, specifically Nigeria. The foreigner will pose as a student or a person who is having serious issues in their family and they are looking for help. It should be know that these people play upon one's sympathies and try to convince them that they need help in the worst kind of way. They will then try to convince the victim to take receipt of a money order and subsequently cash the order. For one's time and effort they are asked to keep part of the money and to send the rest to the individual in the foreign country.
The issue with these money orders is that they are a hoax and a person who cashes them can be left in serious financial peril. The key is to know how to spot a fake money order compared to a real one. According to the United States post office, a real money order will have a watermark of Benjamin Franklin on both sides of the monetary item. Also, a security thread that has USPS printed on it will run from top to bottom of the money order. In order to get a better view of these and other security features, go to www.usps.com for the latest on this scam.
Money orders that are genuine are a great thing to give and receive. However, if one is taken for a ride and gets stuck with a money order that they think is a fraud, then taking steps to validate its authenticity is vital. If a person is looking for a good place to start that journey, then the United States post office can help an individual get started. However, the fraudulent money order scheme is rampant and one should beware of any email form a foreign country seeking this type of monetary help.
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Category One 
