Follow these steps to cash a Postal Service™ money order:
1. Check that the amount does not exceed the legal limit: $1,000 for domestic, and $700 for international Postal Service money orders.
2. Check that the proper security features are present:
n When held to the light, a watermark of Benjamin Franklin is repeated from top to bottom on the left side.
n When held to the light, a dark line (security thread) runs from top to bottom with the word “USPS” repeated.
n When there is discoloration around the dollar amounts, this might indicate the amounts were changed.
These appear in Postal Service Notice 299, U.S. Postal Money Order Reference Card, or online at usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm.
3. If the money order seems suspicious, call the U.S. Postal Service Money Order Verification System at 866-459-7822.
Provide this information to local banks and retailers, as they also receive Postal Service money orders for cashing.
— Retail and Customer Service Operations, 8-2-18
