Money orders have always been the safest way to send funds through the mail. Due to technological advances scam artists are slowly getting close to producing fake money orders. To prevent this from happening the U.S. Postal Service has added extra security and gave the old money orders a new look.

“We are very excited to be getting these new money orders here in Chilton County. We have the money orders here and we will start selling them on Monday,” Post Master Ronnie Carmichael said.

Some of the new security measures include a watermark and new security thread. When the money order is held up to a light, repeating images of former Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin can be seen, making it easier for banks and Post Offices to detect counterfeits. A new holographic, multi-colored security thread also now weaves in and out of the paper to thwart scam artists attempting to produce fake money orders.

“The U.S. Postal Service is doing what they can to make sending money through money orders safe and reliable. These new money orders should keep counterfeiters at bay,” Carmichael said.

Domestic money orders are available at all Post Offices in amounts up to $1,000, at a cost of a little more than a dollar. International money orders valued at up to $700 are available to 30 countries for only $3.85. A complete list of participating countries can be found at usps.com.

Although only the new, redesigned postal money orders are available beginning today, the Postal Service and financial institutions will honor any previously issued and customer-held money order.

Additional information on the new postal money orders can be found at usps.com.

– Ashley McCartney can be reached at ashley.mccartney@clantonadvertiser.com.