Posted by Denise D. Tucker, Argus Leader on
A large number of counterfeit money orders are entering the United States from Canada and Nigeria, warns U.S. Postal Inspector Aaron Simon of Sioux Falls.
A large number of counterfeit money orders are entering the United States from Canada and Nigeria, warns U.S. Postal Inspector Aaron Simon of Sioux Falls.
He said $21 million in fake money orders have been seized in the United States in the past year.
Almost 300 fake money orders have been found in South Dakota, he said.
Some of them are being used to pay for goods from businesses, and some have been given to people involved in online dating to cash for their suitor in another country, Simon said. He said credit unions and banks are holding the victims of the scam responsible.
On real money orders, USPS is not visible on the security strip unless it is held up. A picture of Benjamin Franklin will appear in the watermark. If the money order is held down, these items will not appear.
On a fake money order, USPS is legible when it is held down. And the watermark contains a picture of a man who does not look like Franklin.
Anyone who suspects they may have a fake money order is encouraged to contact Simon at 357-4982.