Postal Orders

Similar to cheques for those without a bank account

Overview
FAQs

Send money securely without needing a cheque

use to pay bills, or shop by mail order
buy or cash a postal order in 47 countries
protect against fraud - no personal data required
can be paid into a bank account

What are Postal Orders?

Postal orders are similar to cheques for those without a bank account.

How do they work?

Use a postal order is quick and simple.

Request from your local Post Office® in any value up to £250
You can print your payee’s name on the cheque
Cost from as little as 50p per order
Receive a separate receipt with each postal order
Can be cashed at any Post Office® counter or in 47 countries worldwide, up to 6 months after date of purchase

If you fancy shopping online but don't have a bank account or simply feel nervous about handing over your personal financial details, a Postal Order bought from your local Post Office® branch could be the answer.

Simply find what you're looking for, on an auction site like eBay for example, and make your purchase as normal. Then buy the correct value postal order in your local Post Office® and send it to the vendor through the post. A Postal Order also offers an inexpensive way of giving you peace of mind when you're shopping by mail order, paying bills or sending a cash gift.

Now even easier to use, Postal Orders now look just like cheques with the payment amount printed in words and numbers. They're available in any value up to £250, so there's less need to buy more than one for a single purchase. You can have the payee name printed on the new style Postal Orders which makes them even more secure. With each Postal Order, you'll receive a separate receipt containing all the information you need should you wish to make an enquiry.

Prices

Purchase value per order	Fee payable
£0 - £4.99	50p
£5 - £9.99	£1.00
£10 - to maximum value of £250	10% of the face value Fees capped at £10.00

Prices valid from 13th October 2008

WARNING: Please note that there are currently some Postal Order scams being perpetrated - particularly on online auction sites. Please note that under no circumstances would Royal Mail or the Post Office® issue an email notification of receipt of a Postal Order to a potential recipient. Should you receive such a notification, please report it to the police.