Jan 2, 2019, 9:51 am
Last edit by: danpeake
As of Nov 11, 2020, Meta gebits are getting declined when used for MO/BP purchases at MC/SD. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. READ the posts below and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.
This is the thread for 2019. The previous discussion can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...rt-2018-a.html
New to MO: Read this entire Wiki (Click to open) and all posts for some tips before asking common questions. It is best to know what you are doing before you try.
Note: The policy for allowing gift cards as payment for money orders can be more restrictive with certain stores or certain clerks. Just because an employee says there's a new restrictive policy "for all Walmarts" means nothing. There are plenty of cases where the employee is incorrect and the new policy is only regional or store specific.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tested Gebit (gift debit) cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. See above on Visas issued by MetaBank. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. Follow the posts below for the latest information.
3. MC issued by US bank OR Metabank MC (Giftcards.com) can work, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
4. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.(VGC issued by Sunrise also limited to $99/swipe, same as Metabank issued cards, and Sunrise was available immediately).
5. USB work
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
NEW Limits as of 11/18 - 8K with ID every 24 hours. ID required for MO over 1K.Some tips for starting out:
All WM registers allow 4 debit swipes per transaction, but YMMV per store and cashier. Refer to cards as Debit cards.
Start slow and buy one MO with one Gebit to see how it works. Refer to cards as Debit, only this community calls them Gebits. Your store or cashier may have rules that other stores do not have, only allowing one swipe per trans or up to 4 swipes per trans. Read all the tips below and all the posts below before trying more advanced transactions. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card. Fee: 1K MO or less is usually 88 cents each, but ask or check the wall. Subtract the fee from the total or pay in cash. If a store says "no", thank them and try again another day with a different clerk.
Helpful details and tips for advanced transactions:
1. Cost: 1K MO fee is usually $1 each(Some states limit MO total to 750 or 950 and may have a different fee). Subtract fee from your total or pay in cash. Can buy two 1K MO in one transaction with 4 swipes for $1 x 2 in most states. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card.
2. Split payment transactions: You cannot successfully swipe more than 4 cards in a single transaction. If the cashier screws up and enters $50.00 instead of $500.00 (thus making it impossible for 4 swipes to complete the transaction), the transaction will need to be canceled. The funds should return to your cards right away but may take 24 hours, so note the time and person helping you. When a transaction is canceled during the trans, the money returns to the cards. If canceled after, the cash reg drawer opens and they pay you back in cash.
3. Split payment: The amount of each swipe needs to be entered by the cashier. Ask to "split the payment by $$$". The Gebit must have current balance of that amount or more otherwise slip with Error 51 will print out. Warning: (YMMV) It appears (my experience on 3 occasions during prepaid card load and buying MO in 2 different WMs) that after the debit card was charged no cash could be credited back to the card. Cashier should issue cash back. Keep the slip and contact manager if in doubt. Remember date, time and register if no slip.
4. Bad Printer: IF, by chance, you've swiped your GCs successfully, a receipt prints but the MO doesn't, make sure to ask to see the receipt and check near the bottom IF it says CHANGE/REFUND with a negative sign before the amount of GCs you swiped, that means the cashier must give you cash refund. Cashier may have to call for the cash dept manager to verify the refund. Some stores may outright give your cash refund immediately while there are others that will ask you to come back. Think twice before you buy MOs while on vacation or when you're in unknown to you territories for issues like this.
6. MCGC liquidation- The cashier should not enter the amount first. Technically they just can't hit enter after entering the amount. Let the CSR know you need to swipe first and switch the payment type to debit, then swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen, enter the pin and have them enter the amount.
7. SSN/ID entry - Any MO purchases in one transaction at or over $3K requires you to input your SSN. Any MO at or over $1K requires ID input (and ID requirement can also be forced by cashier at any amount).
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)
Jan 5, 2020, 6:09 pm
#1816
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 239
I have a folder that I keep receipts in of the MO and the gift card receipt. If anyone ever questions it, I can easily show proof of my activity.
Jan 5, 2020, 6:16 pm
#1817
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Well, if you're depositing a money order it better have the account holder--you--as the "To:" name. And if you're depositing money orders with a lot of different names as "From:" or even one different name as "From:" why would you believe that wouldn't raise the question of money laundering for that "From;" person--with you being the money launderer...and with tax consequences for you.
If you have records, you can answer any question about your transactions. Sure, banks will close you down at random, but I see no reason to think the names of the money orders matter. If you have a choice of lying or telling the truth, tell the truth. It's simple. You gain nothing by llying--nothing at all--and in this case I think you even invite greater scrutiny and questions for which you can't come up with a legitimate answer. "Mr. Craz, you've been depositing money orders form John Smith. Why? What's his relationship to you? What is this for?" Would you really prefer to answer those questions than show a receipt for buying a gift card, a receipt for using it to buy a money order, and that same money order being deposited in your account?
If you have records, you can answer any question about your transactions. Sure, banks will close you down at random, but I see no reason to think the names of the money orders matter. If you have a choice of lying or telling the truth, tell the truth. It's simple. You gain nothing by llying--nothing at all--and in this case I think you even invite greater scrutiny and questions for which you can't come up with a legitimate answer. "Mr. Craz, you've been depositing money orders form John Smith. Why? What's his relationship to you? What is this for?" Would you really prefer to answer those questions than show a receipt for buying a gift card, a receipt for using it to buy a money order, and that same money order being deposited in your account?
i wouldnt be at all comfortable depositing the MOs with my name in both fields, thats me and its best to do whatever makes a person most comfortable, so if youre comfortable having the To & From with your name so do so. Just as if I didnt have a ca$h business I wouldnt be comfortable making large ca$h deposits on reg basis, others will feel right at home.
Once WM changed its limits some folks were comfortable doing $8K everyday, I was comfortable keeping it under $1K so as no ID needed and simply would hit 8 stores to unload. For some having to go to 8 places theyd rather not MS. there is no right or wrong. I keep my Simon to under 10K, others feel comfortable getting the full 25K
I just think a person should be presented with both sides and then decide for themselves which way to proceed
Jan 5, 2020, 6:27 pm
#1818
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Many banks and CUs will gladly accept checks/MO's made payable to the bank & account number (the latter can go in the endorsement section in the back). Last time the endorsement issue was raised, I recall that PaulMSN had some thoughts in favor of this idea.
Last edited by MaxVO; Jan 5, 2020 at 10:00 pm Reason: name correction
Jan 5, 2020, 7:16 pm
#1819
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 317
https://www.bankersonline.com/forum/...Number=1505614
https://www.bankersonline.com/forum/...Number=1492337
Again, I basically agree with craz that you should do what's comfortable for you. But you might be better off getting comfortable with things that make you uncomfortable.
We tell the tellers that a check payable to the bank means the customer is paying the bank for something such as a loan payment
Most banks correctly instruct customers to make checks payable to the bank only if paying a sum due the bank (box rental, trust fees, etc.)
Jan 5, 2020, 8:01 pm
#1820
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Jan 5, 2020, 8:30 pm
#1821
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 369
Deleted
Last edited by chaser123; Jan 5, 2020 at 8:33 pm Reason: ask to delete
Jan 6, 2020, 7:07 am
#1822
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania
Programs: SPG, SW Air, AA, all of'em!
Posts: 239
I don't really know that it matters. Majority of people's signatures nowadays aren't legible anyways, so honestly, I just scribble the name of a person on there. Lots of people fill their name in both slots and never have an issue. As far as banks vs credit unions, I've heard that CU are more lenient. But I've also heard wells fargo doesn't really care about depositing money orders. Of course everything may depend on volume. I'd just mobile deposit or ATM deposit though.
A few rules I have for myself, in order to maximize my time for all of this:
1. The only name that matters is that in the "To" field.
2. Double-check all other fields (acct #; sig on back etc) for accuracy, as any returned MOs waste much more time to fix than
doing right first.
3. Deposit almost exclusively in CUs. Banks scrutinize too much; risking shutdown. I have at least 8 CU accts and only 1 small local bank for MS.
4. Have multiple CU accts always ready for deposit, so you can maximize high ACH transfer rates.
5. Deposit via ATM, mail, or mobile deposit; which ever is faster, and most error-free. Going inside a branch wastes way too much time. Some ATM machines are error-prone, and by experience, you will find which ones to avoid.
6. Keep rotating deposits via your CU portfolio, to stay under monthly reporting requirements.
7. Track which CUs / banks make your funds available right away, and which ones make you wait up to 5 business days, even for a cash ATM deposit! The differences in funds availablility from one CU / bank to another may surprise you!
Good luck!
Jan 6, 2020, 7:47 am
#1823
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott/SPG Platinum
Posts: 496
"Keep rotating deposits via your CU portfolio, to stay under monthly reporting requirements." is this structuring? structuring has very serious consequences once caught.
Jan 6, 2020, 7:52 am
#1824
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 57
Yes. Don't do that, it's illegal, and not a slap on the wrist illegal...but actually very illegal.
Jan 6, 2020, 10:35 am
#1825
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Unlike many here I have no CU account and always do business with major banks, with regular day to day accounts and always use teller deposits. Never write bank account number anywhere, both front and back. Just deposit them with the deposit slip which I do write down the ref number of each MO on the back of the deposit slip - this way IF needed I can readily pull up the image of the deposit slip both front and back from online banking. Dont have issues but then again much much smaller volume than most here since I normally only do this when a bonus is involved.
Jan 6, 2020, 10:56 am
#1826
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 161
It's only structuring if you are trying to avoid a government reporting requirement. There are no government reporting requirements on MO deposits.
Jan 6, 2020, 10:59 am
#1827
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 198
I have been MSing well over 10K, monthly for 5 yrs.
A few rules I have for myself, in order to maximize my time for all of this:
1. The only name that matters is that in the "To" field.
2. Double-check all other fields (acct #; sig on back etc) for accuracy, as any returned MOs waste much more time to fix than
doing right first.
3. Deposit almost exclusively in CUs. Banks scrutinize too much; risking shutdown. I have at least 8 CU accts and only 1 small local bank for MS.
4. Have multiple CU accts always ready for deposit, so you can maximize high ACH transfer rates.
5. Deposit via ATM, mail, or mobile deposit; which ever is faster, and most error-free. Going inside a branch wastes way too much time. Some ATM machines are error-prone, and by experience, you will find which ones to avoid.
6. Keep rotating deposits via your CU portfolio, to stay under monthly reporting requirements.
7. Track which CUs / banks make your funds available right away, and which ones make you wait up to 5 business days, even for a cash ATM deposit! The differences in funds availablility from one CU / bank to another may surprise you!
Good luck!
A few rules I have for myself, in order to maximize my time for all of this:
1. The only name that matters is that in the "To" field.
2. Double-check all other fields (acct #; sig on back etc) for accuracy, as any returned MOs waste much more time to fix than
doing right first.
3. Deposit almost exclusively in CUs. Banks scrutinize too much; risking shutdown. I have at least 8 CU accts and only 1 small local bank for MS.
4. Have multiple CU accts always ready for deposit, so you can maximize high ACH transfer rates.
5. Deposit via ATM, mail, or mobile deposit; which ever is faster, and most error-free. Going inside a branch wastes way too much time. Some ATM machines are error-prone, and by experience, you will find which ones to avoid.
6. Keep rotating deposits via your CU portfolio, to stay under monthly reporting requirements.
7. Track which CUs / banks make your funds available right away, and which ones make you wait up to 5 business days, even for a cash ATM deposit! The differences in funds availablility from one CU / bank to another may surprise you!
Good luck!
Jan 6, 2020, 11:19 am
#1828
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 239
It says well over 10k monthly, so we don’t really know how much he’s doing. And he isn’t really doing anything complicated, other than diversifying his MO deposits at a large number of CU’s (which takes one minute via ATM or mobile deposit). If you live in a big city, all those CU’s may be within a 5-10 minute walk.
Jan 6, 2020, 12:08 pm
#1829
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 299
MO's aren't drawn on any personal account. Again, you can scribble a name in there that you can't even read. It doesn't really matter. If the bank ever asked, you can either be honest, or just say you sell stuff on craigslist and take MO's. But there's really no reason to involve the name of anybody you know. Especially one that banks at the same financial institution. The biggest thing though is DON'T deposit MO's in your usual bank. You should have a separate bank setup just for manufactured spending.
Last edited by barrytuneup; Jan 6, 2020 at 12:14 pm Reason: word
Jan 6, 2020, 12:13 pm
#1830
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 299
I have been MSing well over 10K, monthly for 5 yrs.
A few rules I have for myself, in order to maximize my time for all of this:
1. The only name that matters is that in the "To" field.
2. Double-check all other fields (acct #; sig on back etc) for accuracy, as any returned MOs waste much more time to fix than
doing right first.
3. Deposit almost exclusively in CUs. Banks scrutinize too much; risking shutdown. I have at least 8 CU accts and only 1 small local bank for MS.
4. Have multiple CU accts always ready for deposit, so you can maximize high ACH transfer rates.
5. Deposit via ATM, mail, or mobile deposit; which ever is faster, and most error-free. Going inside a branch wastes way too much time. Some ATM machines are error-prone, and by experience, you will find which ones to avoid.
6. Keep rotating deposits via your CU portfolio, to stay under monthly reporting requirements.
7. Track which CUs / banks make your funds available right away, and which ones make you wait up to 5 business days, even for a cash ATM deposit! The differences in funds availablility from one CU / bank to another may surprise you!
Good luck!
A few rules I have for myself, in order to maximize my time for all of this:
1. The only name that matters is that in the "To" field.
2. Double-check all other fields (acct #; sig on back etc) for accuracy, as any returned MOs waste much more time to fix than
doing right first.
3. Deposit almost exclusively in CUs. Banks scrutinize too much; risking shutdown. I have at least 8 CU accts and only 1 small local bank for MS.
4. Have multiple CU accts always ready for deposit, so you can maximize high ACH transfer rates.
5. Deposit via ATM, mail, or mobile deposit; which ever is faster, and most error-free. Going inside a branch wastes way too much time. Some ATM machines are error-prone, and by experience, you will find which ones to avoid.
6. Keep rotating deposits via your CU portfolio, to stay under monthly reporting requirements.
7. Track which CUs / banks make your funds available right away, and which ones make you wait up to 5 business days, even for a cash ATM deposit! The differences in funds availablility from one CU / bank to another may surprise you!
Good luck!