# Can I cash a money order that I made made to someone else? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 4, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029 "2020-04-04T04:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029/1 "2020-04-04T04:38:46Z")
Am I able to cash a money order from MoneyGram I bought but already wrote the person’s name in? I have the receipt. Always wondered this ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2020, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029/2 "2020-04-04T06:06:11Z")
[This is what Moneygram says:](https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/help/faq/money-orders) > [@](#): > > What if I already filled out the money order but no longer need it for the payment I was going to make? > expand\_more > > If the money order is not altered and in good condition, you may try to cash the money order at your bank or a check cashing store. Once you are with a teller, write the following phrase: “Not Used for Purpose Intended” on the back of the money order. We suggest that you contact your bank or check casher before going to the location. But the reality of the situation is that no bank has to do this for you, even if you have an account. Maybe if you have been a long time customer and are friends with the bank manager, he’ll OK it, but it’s unlikely. Even if he OKs it, if it is one of the mega-banks it is likely to get bounced back from proofing. Your only other option is to go through the [money order replacement process](https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/money-orders/replacement/status-form?mode=2) (minimum $18 fee). ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2020, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029/3 "2020-04-04T07:51:11Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Am I able to cash a money order from MoneyGram I bought but already wrote the person’s name in? I have the receipt. Always wondered this The times I’ve done this (years ago) the only requirement was that I also have the receipt. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029/4 "2020-04-04T18:03:19Z")
Just had to do this with an MO my late father-in-law had written before his death; the credit union had no issue about depositing it into the estate account. (We could not even find the receipt.) ---
**Author:** ![ALOHA\_HATER](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@ALOHA\_HATER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ALOHA_HATER)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029/5 "2020-04-04T20:32:10Z")
Better than a coinflip that you could. Don’t cash it; deposit it: tellers don’t look as close at a deposit. If your bank don’t like it, bring it back to Moneygram with your receipt and you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029/6 "2020-04-05T21:39:04Z")
Update : Went back to the seller but they couldn’t refund anything over $100. So I called my bank (USAA, no local branches (and they said to endorse it as the Not used for intended purposes, write for deposit only and include my amount number, then use mobile deposit. Credited immediately. ������