Although it certainly has not been the most popular payment method, money orders still have a place in the modern economy. Still, its lack of prevalence has led many to misunderstand how they work, and just what benefits they offer. To educate on the payment system, we ask if you can mobile deposit a money order.
Over the past decade or so, the world of finance has seen rapid developments take place. Whether that be the advent of digital finance options or logistic development for traditional payment methods. Even so, the money order has seemingly gone by the wayside. However, it remains a great option, boasting more security than checks, and more specificity than cash.
However, where to find money orders, and how to best make use of them in today’s financial climate remains rather tricky. Therefore, let’s observe what they are, where you can find them, and whether or not a mobile deposit for the payment method is possible.
What is a Money Order?
Also Read: How Long Do Money Orders Last?
So, before we delve into if you can mobile deposit a money order, let’s explore a bit of what they are. Although they are similar to checks, the payment method differs greatly from them, and other options such as cash. Firstly, they operate as a guaranteed payment, already increasing the security of the method over other options.
Specifically, these orders are papers that have a functionality akin to checks. Indeed, on the order itself, you specify both the amount of money on the order and the recipient of the funds. Subsequently, the process is very similar to checks, but they are different in one very important aspect.
Importantly, when you buy a money order, you pay the value of the order in its entirety. This is a key difference from checks because the funds are already available. Therefore, the potential for the payment to bounce is greatly diminished, if not completely foregone.
Additionally, you will pay some fees that are associated with the money order placement. These vary on where you purchase the money order, and how much you intend to pay with it. Moreover, there do tend to be limits associated with using the form of payment. Most places will offer a $1000 limit on money orders.
It is also important to remember that there are limits on what you can use to pay for the money order itself. Specifically, you are unable to purchase said order with a credit card. Indeed, you are required to pay for the order with either cash or a debit card. Thus, adding to the overall security of the specific amount of funds being readily available.
Can You Mobile Deposit a Money Order?
Also Read: Can I Get a Money Order With a Credit Card?
So, now that we know a bit more about the payment method, let’s answer if you can mobile deposit a money order. The answer is mostly a yes. Specifically, many modern banks allow users to deposit checks through their mobile services. Subsequently, although these forms of payment are a little different, many mobile deposit apps will treat them as similar methods.
For instance, US Bank states that its mobile check deposit feature allows money orders to be deposited. Moreover, they specify that this feature is available through its US Bank mobile app. Additionally, it allows the deposit of corporate drafts, consumer, business, and cashier’s checks, and more.
Alternatively, Wells Fargo also states that its mobile deposit feature is compatible with money orders. Moreover, they note that any check that is payable in the United States is also available to be deposited using its mobile application.
Conversely, Bank of America does not accept money orders through its mobile deposit features. Specifically, financial institutions list personal checks, business checks, government/ treasury checks, and cashier checks as viable options. However, they list money orders as a payment method that requires a financial center to properly deposit.
Additionally, a popular money order option is Western Union due to the abundance of partners they work with. However, they also state that money orders can only be cashed through a Western Union bank or one of their retail partners.
Still, it is important to check with your banking service provider on the specifics regarding mobile money order deposits. If you are not affiliated with any of the banks listed, it is important to check with the banks themselves. If these entities have taught us anything, it’s that the process differs by location and institution.
Where Can You Get Them?
Also Read: Does Dollar General Do Money Orders?
Now that we’ve answered the main questions, let’s discuss where you can get money orders. First, it is important to know that most, if not all, banks in the United States will offer money orders if you are a customer at that specific institution. However, some banks provide different incentives associated with money order usage.
Perhaps the most popular bank in terms of money orders remains Western Union. Indeed, the financial institution is so beneficial because of the wide-ranging partnerships it boasts. Specifically, the bank allows its customers to purchase money orders from popular and wide-spread retail stores like Dollar General and Walmart.
These kinds of partnerships make ordering and cashing easy for Western Union clients who don’t have access to a mobile application. However, for those banks that do, depositing money orders is as simple as depositing nay kind of check that they’ve received.
Although the payment method has slightly fallen out of favor in recent years, it remains no less a viable option. Moreover, the status of things like mobile deposit applications has increased the access that an individual would have to the method if its usage was required in some capacity.