If you are paying bills or sending money through the mail, you run the risk of the envelope getting lost in transit. Money orders are similar to checks, but you pay for the money order upfront rather than wait for the check to clear your bank account. If the money order gets lost or is never cashed, you will have to file a claim with the company where you purchased it to get the money back.
Check with the agent where you purchased the money order. If you purchased the money order from a local bank, post office or store, you may be able to check the status of the money order right there. To check if the money order has been cashed, you will need to bring your receipt or money order stub with you.
Call customer service. Companies that issue money orders, such as Western Union and Money Gram, have a customer service department that can help track your money order. When calling, give the customer service agent the money order number so she can check the computer to see if it has been cashed.
Check online. Western Union and Money Gram offer an online tracking service for purchased money orders. To check the status of your money order, go to the company’s website, click on “Track Money Order” or a similar icon, enter the money order number and click “Enter” or “Search.”
Have the money order number ready. No matter how you are checking the status of your money order, you will need to have the serial number for it. This number can be found on the stub that you should have kept before sending the money order in as payment.
