Tuesday 11 October 2016

How To Pay For A Money Order

A check or cash isn't always a sufficient method for paying a bill or submitting payment for a purchase. However, money orders are widely accepted when cash or checks are not. If you don't have a checking account, a money order also can substitute as a check when paying bills or creditors. Here are some recommendations about how to pay for a money order.

Method 1. Choosing A Payment Method

1. Use cash. Cash is the most widely accepted form of payment for a money order. You can go to any money order provider and purchase a money order with cash. You simply pay for the amount of the money order plus a fee.[1]
Companies that issue money orders want the most secure form of payment possible because once they issue the money order, their money is as good as gone.
You can also pay with a debit card linked to your bank account.
You cannot pay for a money order with a personal check. Checks can take a few days to process. If you don’t have sufficient funds, the money order issuer loses the money.

2. Buy a money order with traveler’s checks. The only place you can purchase a money order with a traveler’s check is at the United States Post Office (USPS). You will have to pay for the amount of the money order plus a fee based on the money order amount. When you pay, sign the traveler’s check in front of the postal service worker who is preparing the money order for you.
USPS is willing to accept traveler’s checks because they recognize them as a form of cash.

3. Purchase a money order with a credit card. Some money order issuers allow you to use a credit card, but not all. You can use a credit card to purchase a money order at Western Union and 7-Eleven. It is expensive to buy a money order with a credit card. Your card issuer will likely view it like a cash advance. This means they will charge you the higher interest rates and fees associated with cash advances. Also, you don’t earn any points or rewards on cash advances, so you won’t earn them for purchasing a money order either

4. Pay with a PIN-enabled Visa or MasterCard gift card. You can pay with one of these cards at Western Union, Walmart, the post office and 7-Eleven. However, doing so is often linked with suspicious activity. For example, some people purchase these pre-paid cards and then immediately liquidate them in order to take advantage of any available rewards the cards offer. Then they deposit the money orders into their bank accounts and use the money to pay their bills. But depositing lots of money orders into your bank account looks like money laundering, and your bank can close your account for doing s

5. Purchase a money order remotely. Some companies now allow you to purchase and send a money order online. For example, you can purchase a money order online with Payko and pay with your Paypal account, which is linked to a credit card or bank account. However, you can only purchase a single, $200 money order per day. This method is not as fast as other online bank transfers. Instead of an instantaneous transfer of funds from one account to another, a physical money order is printed out and mailed to the recipient. This can take several days


Method 2. Paying Fees

1. Purchase a money order from the bank. In general, banks charge the highest fees for money orders. Every bank charges a different amount. Some banks may charge you as low as $1.25 for money orders up to $1,000. Others may charge you as much as $5.00. If your bank charges more than $1.25 for money orders, try to go someplace else to purchase one.

2. Go to the post office. The post office charges $1.25 for money orders up to $500 and $1.65 for money orders up to $1,000. This is not the least expensive fee for money orders. However, people will be less likely to question the legitimacy of a money order from the U.S. Post Office. It is a widely-recognized, well-respected issuer of money orders. Also, if you need to pay with traveler’s checks, the post office is the only place where you can do that. Finally, it is convenient if you need to send the money order to someone, because you can purchase the money order and mail it all in one transaction.

3. Use a remittance service provider. Remittance service providers are places where you can electronically transfer money. Examples include Western Union, MoneyGram and Walmart. Walmart charges 70 cents for money orders up to $1,000. At Western Union and MoneyGram, the fees for money orders vary from branch to branch. Expect to pay at least $1 for a money order of up to $1,000.

4. Pay for online money orders. Payko is a company that allows you to purchase money orders online. However, their fees are considerably higher than purchasing a money order in person. Expect to pay a flat fee that ranges from $3.49 to $4.99. On top of that, you will have to pay a fee of 5.49 percent of the value of the money order. Finally, you have to pay for postage to send the money order to the recipient. If you want to send it via express mail, expect to pay approximately $15.


5. Purchase multiple money orders if you need more than $1,000. Money orders are generally capped at $1,000. So if you need more money than that, you must purchase multiple money orders. This means that you also pay multiple fees.

How To Stop Direct Mail Advertising

Direct mail is the practice of sending marketing information, such as a catalog, postcard or application, to a list of potential clients. Many companies buy and sell their address database to find new customers, announce products and make money. To the public, direct mail is often referred to as "junk mail." Direct mail is an advertising tactic that is successful for many businesses, which is why it continues. Removing yourself from direct mail completely is a multi-step process that requires some diligence. You must contact a number of agencies and then refrain from practices that will add you to a list in the future. This article will teach you how to stop direct mail advertising.

Method 1. Remove Yourself From Mailing Databases


1. Call your local phone companies and ask that your address be removed from your telephone listing. Telecom companies gather this information and then regularly sell it to businesses and directory companies. Unlisted numbers do not usually have an address associated with them.

2. Register to remove your address from the largest mailing list provider in the United States, Mail Preference Service of the Direct Marketing Association. Visit dmachoice.org and register your name and address. Remember that your registration for direct mail renewal is only good for 5 years, so you will need to reapply.

3. Go to optoutprescreen.com or call the number 1-888-5-OPTOUT to take your name and address off the lists of the 3 largest credit monitoring agencies. With 1 call, you can remove your information from the Experian, Trans Union and Equifax monitoring services. These companies sell information to credit card companies, who send you offers.
You can also initiate a more permanent opt-out process. Go to optoutprescreen.com, get your 5-year opt-out process completed, and then turn in a signed form once you receive it.
4. Call all the companies you do business with and ask that they remove your information from their advertising mailings. You may want to call banks, stores, insurance companies, frequent flier programs, credit card companies, phone companies and Internet shopping sites. Clarify if you want to be removed from all mailings or just those related to product offers.

5. Keep a stack of unwanted magazines and take some time to call their customer service numbers. Request that you be removed from their mailing list. If you want to receive some magazines from the company, request that you be put on an infrequent mailing cycle.

6. Stop offensive advertising mail by filling out a Form 1500. Go to a US Post office or go to USPS.com and request the form. Give all the details of the business or person sending you the offensive junk mail.



Method 2. Best Practices For Stopping Direct Mail

1. Never fill out a contest application on an Internet landing page or in person.Usually contests are a way for companies to gather valuable personal data and selling it on to other companies. The database is worth far more than the prize they are giving away.

2. Avoid filling out warranties or registrations unless it is guaranteed that your information will not be sold. For most companies, this is also a way to gather a database filled with valuable survey data. This is usually true of online registrations as well, so only register when it is unavoidable.


3. Fill out a temporary, rather than a permanent, change of address form when you move. With the U.S. Postal Service, they are required to share your new address with companies if your move is listed as permanent. You can still get mail forwarding for 10 months if it is listed as a temporary move, giving you time to give your information to important parties.

4. Ask how your information will be used when you are filling out any application.They are required to tell you if they plan to sell your information. You may be given the option of opting out of receiving mailings from the business you are applying to.

5. Track who sells your information by providing a fake middle name. Keep a designated list of the middle names you use so that you can contact the offending company to opt-out. This should not be done for bank or government applications.


6. Write "Please do not sell my name or address" on any applications to new services. They may not be required to remove your name from the database, but some companies will tick a box that says you opted out.

7. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, if you believe your information is being abused or you have opted out a few times and it has not worked. Call 1-877-382-4357 or visit ftc.gov.

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