Paying with cashier’s check or money order? Please read this.

If you intend to use certified funds for payment, it's crucial to be mindful of potential risks.

While certified funds (AKA - cashier's checks and money orders) are legitimate payment methods, neglecting a few simple steps during the transaction can jeopardize your funds.

Please take into account the following five recommendations when handling certified funds:

#1 Acquire the funds from a reliable source, such as the USPS, bank, or credit union that you trust.

#2 Double-check and ensure accurate entry of the recipient's information – a certified fund without a recipient name is equivalent to cash. Avoid mailing cash.

#3 Include your name, mailing address, and signature on the payment as a reference.

#4 Retain a copy of the payment and the receipt until you confirm the recipient has deposited and cleared the payment.

#5 When mailing the payment, choose a secure method that provides a tracking number to guarantee safe delivery.

Protect your money by adhering to these recommendations.