Recently, MoneyGram removed the Travelers Express name from their money order product. The new version is branded simply as MoneyGram, printed in Spanish (Espanol) in addition to English.
The old version with the Travelers Express name have been counterfeited and circulated via Internet scams for a couple of years. A lot of them had Walmart’s logo printed on them. We’ve seen similar counterfeit American Express Gift Cheques and Postal Money Orders in recent years, also. Some of these items are still in circulation, including the older Travelers Express version.
The newer version (MoneyGram) printed in both Spanish and English are now being counterfeited and being circulated via Internet scams. The one I saw was accompanied by a letter from Walmart Financial Services.
Like other counterfeit financial instruments, we’ll probably see these circulated via romance, auction, job, secret shopper and lottery scams. The common theme is that the scammer will always request that you send a portion of the money back to them (wire transfer is the preferred method).
In the case of auction scams, they may be used to buy expensive merchandise.
Cashing these items will leave you at a minimum, financially liable. I’ve also been told by readers that people are sometimes getting arrested for passing them!
The new version (recently seen) have receipts attached to them. Money Order companies often attach receipts to their products as a security feature. These receipts are used to obtain refunds, if a money order is lost, or stolen.
The counterfeiters have probably added this feature to instill a false sense of security.
Like their predecessors, these counterfeit Money Orders are (normally) easy identified by calling in and verifying their authenticity.
MoneyGram has an automated system to do this, which can be accessed by calling 1-800-542-3590. Live customer service help is available during normal business hours.
MoneyGram also has a page with a lot of relevant information on how to SAFELY negotiate these items, here.
Since this is something new, if anyone would like to help get the word out, please leave a comment on this post, or drop me a line at EdwardDickson@SBCGlobal.net.
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3 users commented in " Counterfeit MoneyGram Money Orders being passed via Internet Scams "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWe received a MoneyGram from our son and the banks will not honor it. This must be a real problem. Apparently the bank cannot tell a good money order from a bad one.
Today I received 2 MoneyGram money orders via UPS, with Albertsons logo on them in the amounts of $850.00 each. They originated from Gastonia,NC. and were purchased by Cindy Fish. I was to cash them at by personal bank and forward the funds minus my 10% to a man named Mic James,504 Rigga Rd.,Derria, Dubai. This is all in relation to a part-time job working for TerrificDeals/Promart stores as their representative here in Canada, a position I found on Kijiji classified. I have been in phone contact with a female named Jamie Marks but from a blocked number also email contact with reverend James Cole. As I don’t believe these are their actual names I’ve decided to post them here anyway. I followed the advice I found here and called to verify the money orders and found they had already been cashed back in June of this year. Not to mention they did not have any watermarks or security features of any kind. If anyone comes into contact with these people be very careful and report anything you think is criminal to your local authorities. Good Day.
hi this is connie lenneau also recive the same money order from cindy fish the address was the same from the article from november 14 to a mic james . he told me he was going to call the fbi if i did not send him the payments.ialso was dealing with terrfic stories. a guy name marc cage. i took the money orders to my bank they notice something wrong . on the money orders. where you rub. the cirle .see if it would reapeer it did not thats why they are holding them for 15 bussiness days. the money orders where for $850.00 each i recive two of these on nov 4 2008 they came to me by ups
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