Counterfeit Canadian Postal Money Orders

Incidents of fraud have been reported in Canada regarding counterfeit Canadian postal money orders; the counterfeit money orders are used in a scam known as a “cheque overpayment fraud”.

The typical pattern of the fraud is :

• A person (victim) is usually contacted through the Internet or by e-mail for goods that they are selling, or property that they are renting.
• The fraudster sends several high value counterfeit money orders ($600+) to the victim as payment . Once received, they will frequently contact you either through e-mail or phone calls to pressure you to act quickly. They will send the counterfeit documents using a traceable item and will know when you received them.
• The fraudster will indicate that extra monies (Money orders) were sent in error and will ask you to cash them and send the difference by using electronic money transfer (such as Money Gram or Western Union):

or

• The fraudster will contact the customer/victim, cancelling the transaction. The victim will be urged by the fraudster to cash the money orders and transmit the (converted) funds back to the fraudster via an electronic money transfer (such as Money Gram or Western Union).
• The fraudster uses the hook of telling the victim to keep some of the money for their trouble.

Legitimate money orders may be distinguished from counterfeit money orders by noting the following:

• Watermark Money Orders is One or two beaver-shaped watermarks can be seen in the top portion of the money order when it is held up to the light.
• Micro Printing All horizontal lines on the front bottom portion of the money order are made up of micro printing which read: “CPCSCPCPC…”
• 1-800 Phone Number The only phone number to verify validity of amounts is 1-800-563-0444. Fraudster may alter their counterfeit copy with an alternate phone number and provide false validation codes.
• Florescent Fibers Most of the writing on the back of the money order is visible with an Ultra-Violet (UV) light. Fibers throughout the document can also be observed with UV light.
• Maximum Amount The maximum amount for a Canadian Postal money order is $999.99 in Canadian and US dollars.

Should you suspect that a money order may be counterfeit, always call and verify the validity of the document by calling:

1-800-563-0444