Whether you received a money order or bought one to pay someone else, losing it doesn’t always mean saying goodbye to your funds.
» Want more detail on money orders? See our money order guide
Here’s how to cancel and replace a money order or get a refund.
Can you cancel a money order?
You can cancel a money order that hasn't been cashed. (If it’s already been cashed, skip ahead.) If you're not sure about your money order's status, you can track it by calling the issuer's customer service number or using the tracking feature on its website.
How to cancel a money order
Here are the steps to cancel a money order.
Step 1: Contact the issuer, who will ask you to start the cancellation process by completing a request form.
Step 2: Provide details on the request form, such as the money order’s purchase date, location and amount, as well as its tracking or serial number. You’ll find this information on the money order receipt, which the buyer gets at the time of purchase. If you don’t have the receipt, fill in as much information as you can. Note that if you don’t have the tracking or serial number, you may be charged a fee for tracing the money order.
You might also be asked for the name of the person or company you were paying and a brief description of how the money order was lost.
Step 3: Attach a copy of the receipt, if you have it.
Step 4: Submit the cancellation request form and pay a fee. Depending on the provider, you don’t have to return the form to the same location, or even in person.
Fees for canceling a money order
Here’s what some of the larger money-order issuers charge for a cancellation or replacement:
- MoneyGram (available at Walmart): $0 if canceled within one hour; for cancellations made after an hour you won’t be refunded any fees you paid when sending the money order.
- U.S. Postal Service: $21 to replace a missing money order.
Once the issuer accepts payment, it will verify your information and research whether the money order was cashed. If all goes well, the issuer will cancel the old money order and send a new one. The entire process varies by issuer, but it can take about 20 to 30 days or longer. Generally, you should allow about six to eight weeks for the issuer to look into your lost money order.
Money order refunds
Instead of receiving a new money order, you can ask for your money back, usually on the same form. The fees and time to process are generally the same as if you canceled and asked for a replacement money order to be sent.
» Learn more: How to fill out a money order
What if the money order was cashed?
If the money order has already been cashed, you probably won’t get your cash back or a replacement money order. But you might still be able to collect.
The provider might give you a photocopy of the cashed money order or you may have to pay for one. If you think the money order was cashed fraudulently, alert your local law enforcement. The copy could help authorities catch the criminal and make sure the money is returned to you.
How to prevent money order loss or theft
There are a few steps you can take to avoid losing your money order or having it stolen:
- To help protect yourself against fraud, write a name in the “payee” field as soon as you buy the money order and give one only to people or businesses you trust.
- Complete the money order form in full to prevent fraudulent information being added in.
- Buy a money order only when you need it (rather than buying it ahead of time and being liable for it).
- Keep the money order receipt in a safe place and take a photo or make a digital copy of it.
- If you need to mail a money order, send it by certified or registered mail so you can confirm delivery.
What to do if you receive a money order
If you receive a money order, cash it or deposit it in a checking or savings account before you have a chance to lose it. But if your money order does disappear, follow these steps for a decent shot at reclaiming your cash.
» Need to get money to family or friends? See NerdWallet’s picks for best ways to send money.
