The process for tracking lost or stolen money orders varies somewhat depending on the company that issued the money order. However, in general it is the original purchaser of the money order that must complete the claim form.
Tracking a lost or stolen money order:
- Request that the tenant complete the appropriate claim or research request form – see below for downloads that you can print off for them.
- Double-check that the tenant completed every section required on the form.
- Give the completed form, along with a clear copy of the money order receipt to Shari. It’s probably a good idea to include them with the weekly batch of receipts and invoices for the property.
- We will mail off the form with the appropriate payment to initiate the tracking.
MoneyGram International
The MoneyGram claim form is available at:
http://www.moneygram.com/us/en/Documents/NXT/mgicorp_c_pdf_e.pdf.pdf
Western Union
The Western Union “research request” form is available at:
http://westernunion.com/static/pdf/Money-Order-Research-Request-Form-En.pdf
Tenants responsibility
Please remind tenants that it is their responsibility to complete checks and money orders and make them payable to the property – and not leave the payee line blank as many tend to do.
If a money order is lost or stolen – even by one of our employees – then we expect the tenants to cooperate with us in a timely manner. Provided they do, then they will not be held liable for the lost payment. Otherwise it is ultimately their responsibility to pay for the stolen money order and still pay their rent and any fees.