How can you tell a phoney money order or check from looking?

Question

I am an Ebay Seller. I have not had any bad money orders yet but I hear they are out there. How can I tell a phoney?
Some good ones have watermarks and some do not. I get ones from Canada too and they are different.
Any one have ideas on things to look for if it is PHONEY?

Answer 1

Their is no single correct answer. The best way to know a phony money order when you see one is to know a good money order. The US Treasury trains agents to recognize counterfeit currency, not by showing them counterfeit money, but by having them handle large amounts of real currency. After handling enough real money, anything else will appear 'different'.

Answer 2

An absent watermark would be a start. Beyond that even banks sometimes don't know until the check or money order bounce back.

Answer 3

You cannot tell a well made counterfeit money order from a real one. Sorry.