What is the difference between a crossed and uncrossed Postal Order?
When someone receives a crossed Postal Order, they can only pay it into their bank account, savings account or use it to pay bills at a Post Office branch.
Uncrossed Postal Orders are as good as cash. So if you’re using a Postal Order to buy something online or by mail order, the recipient can pick up the cash while posting out your items. In most cases, your order will arrive earlier.
If you wish for the Postal Order to be crossed, please request this at the time of purchase and the branch will be able to arrange this. It is electronically put onto the Postal Order itself, so that if cashing in is attempted at a Post Office branch then it will be rejected and the customer referred to their bank. A crossed Postal Order will have two straight, vertical lines passing through it, just off centre.
The recipient’s name is required on a Postal Order regardless of whether or not it is crossed. It isn’t the name that determines that the Postal Order is crossed. This makes it more difficult for anyone to cash the postal order. The Post Office branch may request ID – (however this isn’t a requirement).
If you need a hand, just pop in to one of our branches.