Can You Send Cash in the Mail?


Gifting cash to someone is one of many people’s most convenient methods. This is mainly because you can send some money and leave the buying to the receiver’s discretion. In this way, money can either be used to save up to buy something in the future or buy something they need now. Therefore, during the holiday season or birthdays, people prefer to send cash through banks. However, others also prefer sending holiday cards just as the conventional method.
Along with these cards, people prefer to send cash as a holiday or birthday gift. However, as the federal ministry mentions, one needs to know about the different rules of sending cash before sending it.

Can You Send Cash in the Mail?

Yes, you can send cash in the mail because the US Postal Services does not prohibit it. However, sending money via postal service is unsafe because somebody can open an envelope and take money. Additionally, sending cash in the mail is illegal for money laundering and tax evasion.

We have gathered that sending money for holidays and birthdays is permissible, but you may be scrutinized for sending money. Many people get involved in fraudulent activities, such as gambling, which is not acceptable to the federal ministry. Therefore, one must be ready for scrutiny if they send cash through the postal service. You must, however, remember that as long as money is sent for non-fraudulent activities, you are legally entitled to send it.

Is it illegal to send cash in the mail?

No, it is not illegal to send cash in the mail. However, it is illegal and forbidden to do so for money laundering, chain letters, multilevel marketing, and tax evasion.

If, for instance, you are involved in dishonest practices such as any fraudulent activity such as gambling, you may be prosecuted under state law, and it can have dire consequences for your career and personal life. In addition, you must be careful if you send money through postal mail and be required to answer for any scrutiny that may be imposed upon you. Finally, it is straightforward to fall into traps set by different scammers, so ensure you have a careful eye and a knack for identifying them. In other words, be wary of the consequences.

Some of the consequences involved include prosecution by federal law. The law was passed for fraud scammers interested in such groups. Different reactions are also given to the scams based on which state you reside in. There can be a significant punishment, or the police may let you go depending on how big a scam you have committed. In addition, you must understand that your record can also rely on it, so it is essential to ensure that you are freed from such issues.

Different mailing companies in the country must also check and report any misguided factors that are reciprocal scams. This is an essential step in part of the transparency and accountability guidelines of the mailing companies. Failure to meet the requirements will also bring the companies in a bad light. Therefore, the state also entrusts the companies to report any offense during the postal services.

Is it illegal to send cash in the mail internationally?

In most countries, sending cash in the mail internationally is forbidden. You will refuse to take packages or envelopes with money if you mail cash internationally using international FedEx or other international post service companies. However, if your courier company accepts money, you can not be stopped from sending money less than $10.000 internationally. 

What happens in the case of lottery tickets and chain letters?

Sending in the mail chain letters and lottery tickets is illegal. A chain mail is a scheme where people are promised or roped into winning cash awards and checks only if they promise or are willing to forward the scheme to, let’s say, ten other people. In this way, the chain mail continues. However, many people fall victim to it without awarding the recipient the cash prize. This is also a scam and is discouraged from making people aware that it is not the proper form of activity to be involved in. If a person sends a chain mail through the postal service or sends in lottery tickets, they are likely to face similar consequences as mentioned above. They may be prosecuted under state law and will likely face dire consequences affecting their career and personal lives. Many states, however, allow for lottery tickets to be forwarded, so it depends on where you live.

Conclusion

You must understand that sending money through postal services is never illegal, and you can easily avail of this service if you send money for holidays or as a gift. Yes, you may be required to provide additional documents such as your identity card, the information of the sender, and that of the receiver, but if you do so, it only clears the air up. Therefore, you should provide additional documents to avoid hindrance later on. Furthermore, suppose you are accused of having different activities, such as mailing money for scams or other schemes like chain mail. In that case, you will likely be prosecuted under state law, which may have dire consequences. Therefore, be wary and understand when and how to send money while knowing the rules.

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith is an experienced economist and financial analyst from Utah. He has been in finance for nearly two decades, having worked as a senior analyst for Wells Fargo Bank for 19 years. After leaving Wells Fargo Bank in 2014, Daniel began a career as a finance consultant, advising companies and individuals on economic policy, labor relations, and financial management. At Promtfinance.com, Daniel writes about personal finance topics, value estimation, budgeting strategies, retirement planning, and portfolio diversification. Read more on Daniel Smith's biography page. Contact Daniel: daniel@promtfinance.com

Recent Posts