I just lost a $200 money order :(

[LilB]

I feel like such a moron. This has NEVER happened to me before. Okay, I'll make it as short as possible.

My mom is disabled and lives with us. We are the ones that mostly support her, but she still gets $637 in SSI money. Well, my older brother called me saying that he's short on his rent (this is the 1st time he's asked us for money in a long time). So, I told him I'm broke and any money I receive between now and the 15th will go toward our move, but I was the one that told him to ask mom. She gives us $250 in rent (required by Social Security whether I want it or not) and the rest is hers. So, out of the remainder, she still lent my brother $200 which he would pay back on the 12th.

Well, my son got a horrible asthma attack last night so I took him to the doctor today. On my way back, I went to the bank to make out a money order for my brother at 7-Eleven. Stupid me...freaking moron...I didn't even take the receipt apart or bother to fill it out because I was scrambling to get back to work and drop my son off. I stopped by the pharmacy to pick up my son's meds and made it back to work and got ready to stop the mailman to give him my letter with the money order and realized it wasn't in my coat pocket anymore. Why didn't I put it in my purse?!?!?! I don't know. I must be in lala land.

So, the point is: now it's not my brother that owes my mom, it's me. How do I explain THAT one? I can't even pay her back until a few weeks. I don't know what to do. I've cried over this. I feel so guilty and dumb. And I know it could happen to anybody, but the point is that it happened and it didn't have to. :(

[epm525]

Oh bummer! You called 7-Eleven already?

I know your mad, but when I do something like this (happens more than I would like!) I like to think that maybe the person who found the money needed more than me. But it still makes me mad. :(

[nineten]

@lynette, That's a terrible feeling to lose that amount. You're mind was preoccupied by your son's attack and it's understandable for these things to happen when we're in a rush. Don't beat yourself up over it - we've all done about the same thing.

Do you still have your receipt? Can you return to or call the store and ask them what you could do in this situation.

If stop payment could be made then at least you can follow through with their requirements to retrieve the money.

One store writes the receipt number down and when and (if) they have time they enter it into a computer and it's in there. It's the entire system somewhere.

I'd advise doing this because just because you think it's lost - it might not be. It could be behind or under your seat, stuck with other papers, etc.

Try to backtrack all your steps, everything you placed your hands on and it might show up.

[Cfloresgirl]

Lynette..I've gotten money orders out of the machines in 7-11 is that what you did too? Because I believe there's a number listed you can call and hopefully track /cancel the money order..What a bummer so sorry!!

[brezarenee]

Oh gosh that is such a horrible feeling. Have you checked with 7-11 or the money order company? Even though you don't have the receipt, since you know the time, amount, and location, they might be able to help you out.

Also, what ninteen says- it may not actually be lost for good. Might be lost somewhere in your house or car, so a thorough search might find it.

If I were you I'd be....:bang: :gaah: :angry: !!!!

[Marie]

oh man lynette :(

I hope you find it. I've done stuff like that before but thankfully, after looking real carefully and taking everything apart, I always manage to find it.

I hope we get a report that you found it soon

[jeannie]

dang girl,That sucks. Really hope you find it. I have a feeling you just left it somewhere.I loose stuff all the time. Either way I hope everything works out for you.

[Pooh79]

OMG that totally sucks. She said she did not tear off the stub/receipts so she might not be able to track.

Girl Have you looked in your car on the side door around your office???

[2004mms]

OMG!! This brings back a bad memory!!

Lynette,

Go back to the store and see if they would be willing to view the video from the security camera for that day.

I was in your shoes a few years ago. I needed a money order for $375.00. On my way home from work I stopped at a convenient store a few blocks away. I decided to buy a coke, as well, and while I was paying, a friend that I had not seen in a while showed up. I tend to be a chatterbox and visited for a while before leaving the store.

Later that night, I reached in my purse to fill-out the money order but it was not there. I searched the car, my pockets, my house and traced every step between the car and the house. I felt awful. I called the store and the cashier offered to check around the counter and in front of the store while I waited on the phone. After a while she returned and apologized for not finding anything. I was so mad at myself for being so careless but there was nothing left to do except buy another one. The next morning I stopped at the same store and purchased another money order. A different cashier was at the counter. I told her about my misfortune the day before and rushed off to work.

Later during the day I received a message from the convenient store stating that I needed to stop by and ask to see the manager. When I got there, the manager told me that the cashier who sold me the 2nd money order told her that I had lost the 1st one. They decided to view the tape from the previous night and were shocked about what was on it. They asked me to view it. It showed me grabbing my coke and moving away from the counter to visit with my friend. When finished, I left and the cashier removed the money order from the machine and placed it in her purse. It also showed the cashier answering my phone call later that night. She laid the phone down, ate a candy bar and returned to the phone to tell me that she did not find the money order.

I was shocked. She had seemed like such a nice lady. The manager told me that she had already notified the police and asked me if I wanted to press charges. I was mad at the cashier, but I also felt bad about pressing charges. The manager told me that she had to do so and that the police were going to be at the store when she arrived for her shift and asked if they could come by my job to get a statement.

Later that afternoon, an officer stopped by and I gave him a statement. He said that the lady had already spent the money and had been arrested.

The store reimbursed my money and I never inquired about the cashier. I felt guilty for having been so absent minded and tempting the lady, but all she had to do was be honest.

Anyway, I'm not suggesting that the same thing could have happened to you, but the security tape could show if you dropped it at the store.

Just a suggestion. I hope that you find yours.

Good luck.

[nineten]

@204mms That's a stupendous idea about the film! That's the only way in this situation for them to stop payment.

I'm learning something here. I didn't know 7-11 sold money orders out of 'machines' since I don't frequent that store. Usually it's over-the-counter so this is a new one on me.

lynette needed to call the store, give them some advance notice since, that might be needed, and they'd check the machine and the film.

And it doesn't mean it's too late if she hasn't done so by now since she's not given a update.

Because of not having the receipt, the film would need to be checked against the time she claims she was at the machine. Hopefully there weren't many M.O.s purchased during that time making it easier to substantiate which was hers.

Western Union would be notified to stop payment (unless its already been cashed unfortunately) but her purchase has to be verified first in the exact manner that you stated in your post through the film and that might be at the manager's convenience if a clerk isn't authorized or doesn't have time.

Believe it or not, there's still honest people out there and I'd call the police department(s) just to inquire as to whether it might've been turned in around the area(s) lynette had traveled. Most likely between the store, pharmacy and the workplace is when it was lost. I'd also call the pharmacy and the manager of that store to see if it was turned in to lost and found there also. It might seem fruitless to call but it needs to be done. There are items turned in by honest people.

I do hope it turns up in one of her possessions. We searched for a valuable item for about two weeks or so, tore the home upside down in the search, and when gave up the search we then found it crammed behind the driver's seat in the vehicle.

It might still show up. If it's all to no avail in the end, then the best way to reconcile thoughts and feelings about the loss of it is to "hope" that the person that found it was in much more dire straights and that it was a much-needed blessing for that individual to have it.

[nineten]

Don't ever give up hope of finding something though. Things tend to turn up when you least expect it.

I thought I placed my keys on the floor inside the door. I couldn't find them later. I searched the entire area and tossed things all over the place searching. Hours later before going to bed I was going to spray boot spray into my boots for the next a.m. Needless to say my keys had fallen into one of my boots which were sitting by the door. After we give up searching is usually when we find something although it stresses us out during the search time. There's always hope!

[LilB]

Thanks for the advice and support. Here's what I have since done:

1. Looked all over for it. My SUV, emptied my entire purse, looked throughout my entire office (the room isn't that big), I looked EVERYWHERE!

2. My son ended up getting worse with his asthma, so I took him into the ER this time and his x-rays show the beginning of psnemonia (must have started last night because the doctor says he barely caught it on the x-ray), so I went BACK to Walgreens anyway to get his antibiotic treatment and explained to the lady my situation. She went above and beyond for me. She looked in the waiting area where I was sitting the day before, asked other employees, looked through all the pharmacy drawers, etc. She even brought the manager to talk to me. He mentioned the surveylance video, but bad news-turns out that the surveylance video the way it is angled at the tiny Walgreen's waiting area does not show the floor to the part where I was sitting. (Darn it!!!!!:shy:) So much for that. That would have really given me insight.

3. I have since told my mother the circumstances. She wasn't happy. But, she took it better than I thought. Now it's HOW TO PAY HER BACK. God help me.

4. So, after I grabbed the 2nd round of meds for my son, I ended up stopping at the 7-Eleven where I bought the money order. The manager wasn't there but she said that since I knew the time that I bought it, he would be able to make a print-out of it. It was a western union money order so I'm about to get on the website to see what to do, if anything.

I pray that it miraculously appears somewhere. But, I can't help to think that this happened for a reason. What reason? I don't know...

[JennyM]

It'll turn up when you least expect it to....

[nineten]

@lynette You should be able to cancel it if it's not been used, actually if it's not been processed by any bank, it should be cancelled and you might have to file a police report. Hopefully Western Union can catch this in time.

With your son's situation which was an emergency, that's more important than the money order. Only when we are in a rush and frenzy is when we tend to lose things and not have our eyes on minor things. Your son was a priority and that is what your mind was on when you lost the money order. No real reason here, you were preoccupied and it's understandable to lose things in that situation. Hopefully you give a good report about getting the m.o. taken care of by Western Union.

[WaitingtoExhale]

Lynette,

Hi. I found this - it was a little tricky to locate. Hope this helps!

http://www.westernunion.com/WUCOMWEB/staticMid.do?method=load&pagename=faqMoneyOrder#tstfaq1_4

4. I lost my money order receipt. How can I get a refund or ask for a photocopy of the money order I bought?
If you have no proof of purchase, but know the serial number and the dollar amount of the money order, you can fill out a money order tracing/refund request form located on westernunion.com. Go to the home page and click the Money Order tab. Then click “Learn more about money orders,” and scroll down to the “Let us help you find the lost money orders,” section. You should select the appropriate form and download the form.

Follow the instructions on the appropriate form (s). Complete and sign the tracing/refund request form. Then, complete, sign, and have the affidavit notarized. Mail both forms to the address listed on the tracing /refund request form for processing.

You will also need to include a non-refundable $15.00 processing fee for each money order. If the money order has not been cashed when we receive your request, you’ll generally be issued a refund within 15-20 days after we complete our investigation. Western Union may require a bond or another form of acceptable security before issuing a refund.

If you know the dollar amount and when and where you purchased the money order, but not the serial number, we can trace the money order and determine whether it has been paid, for a $30.00 fee for each money order. Go to the home page and click the “Money Order” tab. Then click “Learn more about money orders,” and scroll down to the “Lost money orders,” section. Follow the instructions on the lost money order serial number form.

If you do not know the serial number or the dollar amount and are unable to provide proof of purchase, your request for refund may be denied.


5. Can I change the payee name after the money order has been completely filled out?
No, you cannot make changes to a completed money order.


6. Can a money order purchased in the United States be cashed outside of the United States?
It can, depending on the policies of the cashing location, and if that location has a corresponding relationship with a bank in the United States. Under such circumstances, the cashing location may place a hold on the funds and delay their availability.


7. How can I get information about a money order I bought?
For information call 1-800-999-9660.


8. Where can I cash a money order?
In the United States, some will, depending on the policies of the cashing location. However, Western Union Agent locations are not required to cash a Western Union Money Order payment instrument.

Western Union Money Order Agent locations are authorized sellers of Western Union Money Order payment instruments, but they are independent businesses that establish their own policies about the payment instruments they will cash.


9. Do money orders have an expiration date?
No. However, depending upon the state of purchase, if you do not use or cash the money order, (present for payment) within one to three years of the purchase date, a non-refundable service charge will be deducted from the principal amount where permitted by law. Additional fees apply for money order refund, tracing, and other services.


10. I own a retail business and would like to offer the Western Union Money Order service. How can I become a selling Agent?
Please contact us with your name, business name, business address, phone number and type of business. Also, include the number of your locations and the length of time you’ve been in business. A sales manager will contact you.


Please call 1-800-999-9660 with questions about money order status, payout information, refunds, replacements, and lost or stolen money orders.

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