We’ve all seen the commercials where a cash-strapped person in dire need of money for bills, a bail bond, or other emergency calls a friend or family member for a quick cash infusion. Usually, a loving but exasperated parent figure will drive to the nearest bank or money transfer service and arrange for a money order to be sent to their loved one. Cue happy smiles all around as everyone—including bill collectors—gets the financial help they’re looking for. However, thanks to the Internet and some enterprising services, it is no longer necessary to leave your home when you make a financial threat to someone. Cash vouchers are now available online, although they are a little different from the ones you buy in person. So if you ask can a money order be sent electronically then the answer is yes.
What is a money order?
It’s similar to a check, except that payment’s guarante because someone has already paid for it with cash, credit card, or debit card. For people without a bank account, a money order is a safe way to carry large amounts of cash.
You can purchase regular money orders at your local grocery store, bank, or post office. There are some limitations to paper money orders, but they are easily circumvent. For example, the amount cannot exceed 1,000 dollars, but you can buy more than one at a time. So if you need to send 5,000 dollars, just buy five money orders worth one thousand. The United States Postal Service charges 1.50 dollars per order to a US customer; those shipped internationally are 10.50 dollars for 700 dollars. International money orders cannot exceed 700 dollars.
Can a money order be sent electronically?
Online money order business is a volatile industry. Several websites offer online money orders, but most of them are in countries other than the United States. And both you and the recipient must be in that country to use these services. Other companies advertise online money orders but offer money transfers, which are not the same, although they may achieve the same purpose.
During a money transfer, the sender sends money online using their bank account or credit or debit card to the recipient’s bank account, mobile wallet, or nearest agent. For example, if you transfer money via Western Union, the recipient can pick it up at a Western Union agent or have it sent to their mobile wallet or bank account. This transaction can be done online. Money transfer fees depend on the amount of the transfer as well as the region to which it is sent.
Is Western Union good for electronic money orders?
But if you wanted to buy a money order, Western Union would require you to go to an agent in person to buy it. You can then hand or mail the money order to the recipient. The cost of a Western Union money order is around 1.50 dollars up to 1,000 dollars. In general, buying a money order is cheaper than transferring money online. Be aware that using a credit card to purchase a money order. Or money order may result in high fees because it is considered a cash advance. It is better to use cash or bank transfer.
Is Money Gram good for electronic money orders?
Money Gram works similarly; Transaction fees for online purchases vary depending on where the money goes, how much it costs, and whether the person collects it or sends it to a mobile wallet. The cost of a personal money order purchase ranges from around 70 cents up to 1,000 dollars. Many banks will sell a money order that you must purchase in person. The price is around 5 dollars. You can also use an app like Xoom to send money, but you’ll need to use a bank account, credit, or debit card to do so.
If you see a company offering online money vouchers. Do a little research to make sure they are reliable, especially if they seem to have been established recently. If you are not at all sure, you may want to go to your local bank, post office, or grocery store and buy the voucher in person. It might not be as convenient, but it will cost less. And you won’t have to worry about the legitimacy of the transaction.
What is money order fraud electronically?
There have been various frauds, especially making elders the target, where callers claim to be a family member in monetary distress. The victim then unwittingly sends a money order to the scammer. It’s important to be very careful when sending a money order because once it’s cashed, there’s usually no going back.