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Ill spell it out for the feeble.
You dont call up and ask if they take Visa gift cards for  a money order.
You dont call up and ask if they take Mastercard gc for a MO
You dont flippin call!


You go into a store and ask for an MO and she says ok its, XXX.XX say no p, take out your debit card and swipe. If the rep says no debits then apologize and leave. If she says lemme see that is that a gc say NO ITS A DEBIT. if she asks wheres your name you say (among many other options to think of) the permanent one is on the way and im using the temp one until i receive it. If you need to swipe more than once, its ok to have multiple debits (for those who are lacking in common sense). But be nonchalant dont be in your face about it to the rep. Reps want to feel they're in charge, its natural for a minimum paid employees...




I think this should give the basics on how to get a MO if you find a place.... this is not rocket science. But it seems like it is to some.... Where to cash out GCs for MO:

Where                                       Which gift card                                   Fee                                     max MO amount                                   

Service desk @ Wal-Mart                  MVD,  Visa from Meta bank,                                  70 cents                                           $1000
                                                  chase (phased out)                                                                                      $1000   
                                                     
Rite Aid                                                                                                 $0.89                                          $500
       
"HaNesher HaGadol"                            One Vanilla                                 .52                                          $500 max     
meijer-69 cents up to $1000-most stores
NOTES:
MVD charges 50 cents per transaction so ask for MO of card amount- (fee+ 50 cents) eg @WM ask for 498.80 on MO (or cover $1.20 some other way)
« Last edited by bb1836 on June 04, 2015, 06:22:46 PM »

Author Topic: Money Orders (USPS RIP 11/3/17)  (Read 308810 times)

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1100 on: November 30, 2016, 12:27:24 PM »
Spoken like a true MS expert.  ;)
My favorite MS method is done from my desktop.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline JTZ

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1101 on: November 30, 2016, 12:28:58 PM »
My favorite MS method is done from my desktop.
We need to start our own WhatsApp group.
"LESS IS MORE" It is the cumulative effect that kills deals!!! How many times do I have to say this?  >:(

Offline Freddie

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1102 on: November 30, 2016, 12:42:08 PM »
There are two different conversations about MOs going on right now but my comment applies to both.

First of all, the 6 MOs for 499.36 each that I deposited by ATM last night have cleared in my checking account and show in my available balance. (Remember, I had called Western Union and heard that message that the MOs are not yet in the system.)

Second of all, I called Western Union again just now and the automated message (after entering MO# and amount) is different now. Like I said, yesterday (the day of buying the MO) it said there is no information yet and that it takes 48 hours from date of purchase, but today the message is this long, weird, elaborate disclaimer that if this MO is found to be counterfeit it will not be honored. It's a whole long message and I am not going to call back and play stenographer to transcribe it.

Anyway, like I said upthread, I am guessing it has always been this way and we just never noticed but I recommend to those who are interested to call the number on the back of the MO and see for yourselves.

Regarding the conversation about SARs and structuring and getting flagged... I wonder what the opinion is on the deposit I made and if I should change my habits somehow.

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1103 on: November 30, 2016, 12:45:13 PM »
Regarding the conversation about SARs and structuring and getting flagged... I wonder what the opinion is on the deposit I made and if I should change my habits somehow.

I would say one of the biggest triggers for an SAR is a drastic change in behavior pattern.
If you've been doing it for a while, you might be already on the radar screen. A drastic change could highlight you on the screen.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Freddie

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1104 on: November 30, 2016, 12:51:30 PM »
If you've been doing it for a while, you might be already on the radar screen. A drastic change could highlight you on the screen.

I get my MOs in increments of $500 and usually deposit two, three, or four at a time (simply because that is how much I have.) I deposited six last night because I had that many. I think that's my biggest single MO deposit.

I almost always deposit by ATM (for convenience.)

I do this once or twice a month, but not every month.

What would you advise? I am asking because I would assume that these habits are fairly representative of the casual MSer and hence a lot of people on this forum.

Offline JTZ

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1105 on: November 30, 2016, 12:56:37 PM »
Lets remember there is probably over 2 million Sars filled already this year.
"LESS IS MORE" It is the cumulative effect that kills deals!!! How many times do I have to say this?  >:(

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1106 on: November 30, 2016, 01:05:27 PM »
I get my MOs in increments of $500 and usually deposit two, three, or four at a time (simply because that is how much I have.) I deposited six last night because I had that many. I think that's my biggest single MO deposit.

I almost always deposit by ATM (for convenience.)

I do this once or twice a month, but not every month.

What would you advise? I am asking because I would assume that these habits are fairly representative of the casual MSer and hence a lot of people on this forum.
If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.

That being said, since it's a judgment call, you never know at what number of MOs the teller processing the deposit might consider it suspicious. IMHO it's not the $ figure, but rather the number of sequential, or same dollar figure MOs that could be the trigger.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Freddie

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1107 on: November 30, 2016, 01:07:33 PM »
If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.

That being said, since it's a judgment call, you never know at what number of MOs the teller processing the deposit might consider it suspicious. IMHO it's not the $ figure, but rather the number of sequential or same amount MOs that could be the trigger.

They are all the same "weird" amount. $500-the MO fee=$499.36. And they are sequential because I buy them at the same time.

So, what do you suggest?

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1108 on: November 30, 2016, 02:03:20 PM »
They are all the same "weird" amount. $500-the MO fee=$499.36. And they are sequential because I buy them at the same time.

So, what do you suggest?
I can only sell parachutes before take off, can't offer help after the fact.

As I said, if you did nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, you could sleep well. Just KNOW that you are on the radar screen. Six sequencial serial number MOs in a single deposit should trigger an SAR. Remember that failure to file an SAR can get the financial institution in trouble. Sometimes the only consequence could be the financial institution closing your account and not wanting to do business with you. Even if everything is legit, it's an added burden and cost to monitor an account.

You might be lucky, and nothing might happen.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Freddie

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1109 on: November 30, 2016, 02:06:05 PM »
I can only sell parachutes before take off, can't offer help after the fact.

As I said, if you did nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, you could sleep well. Just KNOW that you are on the radar screen. Six sequencial serial number MOs in a single deposit should trigger an SAR. Remember that failure to file an SAR can get the financial institution in trouble. Sometimes the only consequence could be the financial institution closing your account and not wanting to do business with you. Even if everything is legit, it's an added burden and cost to monitor an account.

You might be lucky, and nothing might happen.

They were three sequential and another three sequential, for whatever it's worth.

So going forward, what is the right way to continue?

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1110 on: November 30, 2016, 02:10:06 PM »
They were three sequential and another three sequential, for whatever it's worth.

So going forward, what is the right way to continue?

It really goes beyond the scope of this forum, but as a starting point use the rules below as a minimum standard. Though in your case I would change option 2 to something else.
Option 1: don't.
Option 2: not more than 1 per day.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1111 on: November 30, 2016, 03:38:15 PM »

It really goes beyond the scope of this forum, but as a starting point use the rules below as a minimum standard. Though in your case I would change option 2 to something else.
We could have a DO to discuss this at the place I call home (see picture in my profile) during ראש חודש כסלו farbrengen.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Freddie

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1112 on: November 30, 2016, 03:51:19 PM »
We could have a DO to discuss this at the place I call home (see picture in my profile) during ראש חודש כסלו farbrengen.

I might come farbreng with you in 770 but not to discuss money orders!

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1113 on: November 30, 2016, 03:56:10 PM »
I might come farbreng with you in 770 but not to discuss money orders!
Definitely not, but כטוב לב המלך ביין...
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Freddie

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1114 on: November 30, 2016, 04:40:04 PM »
Definitely not, but כטוב לב המלך ביין...

Drunken legal advice? Ehhhh, I'll pass. ;)

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1115 on: November 30, 2016, 04:43:21 PM »
  Any banks you can deposit them thru app??

Offline farmbochur

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1116 on: November 30, 2016, 05:06:39 PM »
  Any banks you can deposit them thru app??
Charles Schwab
Risk is opportunity

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1117 on: November 30, 2016, 05:08:30 PM »
I can only sell parachutes before take off, can't offer help after the fact.
But you also need to be careful so you don't make it sound like all the parachutes are going to fail.  ;)
"LESS IS MORE" It is the cumulative effect that kills deals!!! How many times do I have to say this?  >:(

Offline David Smith

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1118 on: November 30, 2016, 05:10:49 PM »
  Any banks you can deposit them thru app??
Check FT. There's a thread there about it.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

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Re: Money Orders
« Reply #1119 on: November 30, 2016, 05:21:32 PM »
Drunken legal advice? Ehhhh, I'll pass. ;)
I do not provide any legal advice, whether drunk or sober. Can only share my opinions.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan