The U.S. Postal Service is seeing an increase in counterfeit U.S. Postal Money Orders (PMOs). Redemption of counterfeit notes creates significant losses for financial institutions nationwide; so, the Postal Service has redesigned the PMOs and begun a campaign to help cashiers identify counterfeit items.
Some of the PMO's new security features include:
Additionally, denominations are placed in two locations on the PMO and cannot be greater than $1,000. Also, discoloration appears around the denomination amounts if they have been erased.
The Postal Service is asking cashiers to:
More information about the new security features can be obtained by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS or by visiting https://www.usps.com/shop/accepting-money-orders.htm. If your bank intercepts a counterfeit item, contact your local post office and ask for the local postal inspection service office, or call Postal Inspector Travist C. Wiggins at (314) 436-6895.