![]() ![]() households didn’t have a bank account as of 2015, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., 1 so they can’t write personal checks or use a digital payment service like Zelle.Ĭredit card providers generally allow you to pay for a money order with a credit card, but they typically treat the transaction as a cash advance rather than a regular purchase. This makes them a very convenient way to send someone funds on short notice-such as your son or daughter who’s traveling or away at school and has an urgent need for cash. Money orders can be paid for in one place and issued in another. With money orders, there’s no account to overdraw. Money orders are paid for at the time of purchase and-unlike personal checks-the funds are guaranteed. Money orders differ from cash, checks, or both in four other important ways: This makes money orders more secure than most other forms of payment and-unlike cash-if a money order is lost or stolen you might be able to get it replaced. When you buy a money order you get a receipt with the date of purchase, the dollar amount, and a banking code that can be used to track it. It’s used for things like direct deposits, online bill pay and more.ĪCH transfers are processed through the National Automated Clearing House Association and are regulated by the federal government.Money orders have certain advantages over cash and checks, which has helped them remain on the scene. Like a wire transfer, an ACH transfer is a type of electronic payment. They may come with a fee, depending on the bank. Generally, domestic wire transfers take one to three business days, while international wire transfers can take two to five business days. ![]() You have to pay for the transfer upfront and provide information to the institution, like the recipient’s name and bank details. It allows people in different locations to exchange money without cash or a check. Wire transferĪ wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds from one bank, credit union or financial services company directly to another. So not only are cashier’s checks guaranteed, they’re also widely accepted and safe. ![]() They are issued and signed by a financial institution representative. Typically, a cashier’s check is a popular alternative for larger payments where personal checks and cash may not be an option. ![]() With a cashier’s check, money is taken directly from your checking account, which usually means you need an account with the issuer and enough money to complete the transaction. Cashier’s checkĬashier’s checks are another way to make payments with guaranteed funds. Money orders can be useful, but they may not be right for every situation. Check your credit card agreement to see what types of transactions might be considered a cash advance. Plus, if the added balance of a cash advance sits unpaid for a while, it could also hurt your credit scores. And if it does, you generally will pay a fee for it and may be charged interest from the transaction date. Because issuers often want the cash upfront, they may not accept a personal check or credit card.Įven if a credit card is accepted, your card issuer could consider it a type of cash advance. You can typically pay for money orders using cash or a debit card. Fees for money orders are usually based on the money order’s dollar amount and are typically between $1 and $5. Money order prices differ depending on where you buy them. Paying with a money order can save you the trouble of waiting for a check to clear and post to your bank account. Plus, if you keep the money order receipt, you can use it to track your payment. So you might feel more comfortable with a money order if you need to send money by mail. And unlike cash, a money order can only be used by the recipient. Unlike a check, a money order doesn’t contain sensitive information like account numbers or routing numbers. If you’re sending payments through the mail So here are some circumstances when a money order may be helpful: If you don’t have a bank accountīecause you pay for a money order with cash, it can be a good alternative payment method if you don’t have access to paper checks. They can work as an alternative to cash and checks because money orders don’t require either party to have a bank account. With so many payment options available today-from checks to online apps and cash-you may be wondering when it’s worth considering a money order. ![]()
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