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Counterfeit postal money orders are a growing problem as scammers look for additional ways to rip off individuals and banks in their quest for easy money. Recognizing counterfeit postal money orders is relatively easy to do and you should look for the following things to determine if the money order is real or fake.

Watermarks: U.S. postal money orders feature watermarks of Benjamin Franklin which can be seen on both the front and back of a real postal money order when held up to the light. If the watermark is missing or seems to be unusual you may have a fake postal money order on your hands.

Security Threads: These security threads are actually in the paper of the money orders. They are commonly used on currency and appear on postal money orders as well. On postal money orders the security thread is dark and runs from the top of the money order to the bottom. It should be to the right of the watermark when looking at the money order's front. A real security thread will have the words USPS multiple times on the thread. You can better see the thread by holding it up to the light.

Amount: The amount of the money order can be a good clue as to whether or not the postal money order is counterfeit. Domestic U.S. postal money orders are limited to 1,000 dollars per money order while international money orders are limited to 700 dollars per money order. Any amounts over these have no cash value.

Color: Domestic postal money orders have green, yellow, and blue colors on them. International postal money orders have pink, yellow, and gold colors on them.

Smudges and Alterations: If it looks like the numbers have been changed on the postal money order's unique number or on the dollar amount, the money order may be counterfeit

Authorization Documents: Some counterfeit money orders come with a fake letter that claims to come from the USPS (United States Postal Service) stating that the sender is authorized by the USPS to issue and negotiate postal money orders. These letters are fake and indicate that the money orders are also fake; the USPS does not send authorization letters or letters confirming the sender's ability to deal with money orders.

One or more of these things to look for should immediately stand out to you when inspecting a suspicious postal money order. For more information on U.S. postal money orders including updates on changes to the money orders and counterfeit detection visit http://www.usps.com .

Learn more about this author, Maxwell Payne.
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