View Full Version : Buyer sent Western Union MO instead of Postal MO, what should I do?
Well I had a buyer send a western union money order instead of a postal money order. (I state in my auction, and in all follow up e-mails that I accept only postal money orders.)
Should I be concerned and what is the best way to cash this so that I won't get screwed if it's a forgery? (Looks good to me, but there apparently aren't many security features on a WU MO. No watermark or thread, etc)
Should I just go to a WU agent locatoin, or do they take all of your info so they can track you down if there is a problem?
Othergods
09-23-2004, 05:26 PM
I would stop buy a WU Agent, post your zip in the next 15 minutes and I can tell you a close one :)
Thanks for the offer, but I looked that up on their site just now. There is one at my supermarket :lol:
Othergods
09-23-2004, 05:32 PM
Cool, I work for an Insurance Company that accepts it and I have a book with all of them across the US :D
zewone
09-23-2004, 05:38 PM
Just cash it.
Took a closer look at the MO and the guy put my name with his address. Great.
Steggy
09-23-2004, 06:31 PM
Took a closer look at the MO and the guy put my name with his address. Great.
so?
That won't be a problem? Guess I'll find it in an hour or so.
The Western Union Agent at my Safeway does not cash MOs. From westernunion.com apparently their agents are under no obligation to cash WU MOs and can make their own policy. From that I assume WU will not be able to tell me where I will be able to cash it.
I think my only options are to cash it at my bank or to send it back to the buyer. I don't really want to go to a check cashing place because they take a %, plus I think they take down your name and address anyway, I assume so they can send a collection agency after you if whatever you are cashing bounces.
I'll probably end up just cashing it at my bank and mailing the item to the guy. But the guy sending me a different type of MO from what I specify, plus him not putting my address on the MO are red flags to me. I'm probably just being paranoid for nothing.
Storamin
09-23-2004, 11:12 PM
Hold his item until it clears and then a few more days, and tell him that you are doing this for 2 reasons. 1) WU MO not Postal MO and 2) Wrong name on the MO.
thatstoobad
09-23-2004, 11:52 PM
The Western Union Agent at my Safeway does not cash MOs. From westernunion.com apparently their agents are under no obligation to cash WU MOs and can make their own policy. From that I assume WU will not be able to tell me where I will be able to cash it.
I think my only options are to cash it at my bank or to send it back to the buyer. I don't really want to go to a check cashing place because they take a %, plus I think they take down your name and address anyway, I assume so they can send a collection agency after you if whatever you are cashing bounces.
I'll probably end up just cashing it at my bank and mailing the item to the guy. But the guy sending me a different type of MO from what I specify, plus him not putting my address on the MO are red flags to me. I'm probably just being paranoid for nothing.
people are morons. they don't know how to fill things out. just deposit the money order at your bank, then wait until you see it in your account. once you see it, mail the guy's stuff. it's pretty simple.
tdphillips
09-24-2004, 05:57 AM
Yes, just wait for it to clear. It happens quite often with checks, and if you explain it to the buyer they should understand. If not, shaq-fu 'em with a negative.
I did a Yahoo people search on the address and it does have a person listed with the same last name (his Mom I bet) at that addy and I now have his phone number. The guy seems very nice from his e-mails. Doesn't seem like you'd run a scam with your real street address.
I'm probably going to cash it at my bank today and ask them how long it will take to clear into my account + if clearing into my account means the MO is definitely good.