Is it Safe to Send Cash in a Letter for a Birthday Gift?

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Sending cash through the mail, particularly from Toronto to Chicago, carries inherent risks, including potential theft and loss by postal services. While some users share positive experiences of sending cash in greeting cards, they emphasize the importance of concealing the money to avoid detection. Suggestions include using opaque cards, hidden pockets, or wrapping the cash in paper. Alternatives like checks or money orders are recommended for safety and reliability, as they provide better tracking and are less likely to be lost or stolen. Concerns about currency conversion rates are also raised, noting that sending Canadian dollars may result in the recipient receiving less value in U.S. dollars. Overall, while sending cash is possible, many participants advocate for safer methods of gifting money.
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Trivial problem :blushing: but I need you help, I want to send letter to my nephew for his birthday with 50 $ inside from Toronto to Chicago, is it safe to do that ?
 
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I would only use pennies.
 
If by safe you mean 100% absolutely safe, then obviously not. That said, my relatives used to send me cards with money in them all the time when I was a kid. The most important thing to me would be to make sure you can't see the money inside the envelope (by holding it up to a light) and making it look/feel like any other letter or card. There would always be a chance the letter would disappear in the system, but the odds of someone noticing the money and stealing it would be almost nil.
 
I put 50 $ in a card and I could still see it when holding up to a light.maybe aluminum foil could do the trick ?
 
It ain't guaranteed safe to send cash in a card. Have you considered using Western Union instead..or try using a greeting card with a hidden pocket on it or wrap up the cash in a sheet of paper then put it in a card with the hidden pocket on it. Worked for me..

or better yet...Photocopy the 50 dollar bill, print it then tell him you'll give him the real one when he visits you.
 
Send a check.
 
mattmns said:
Send a check.
Much better than cash, but money orders are even better because you can cash them in more places. Don't send cash at all. It's not just because of the possibility of theft; how bloody much do you trust Canada Post to not lose the thing? Also, unless you get something made out in US funds, you're only sending him about $35.
 
hitssquad said:
$41.0252 USD.
Hey, we're getting better! The last time I was in Vegas for pool, $650 US cost me $900. That was in 2000.
 
  • #10
Dont use money order, it costs money :P

Use cash because most greeting cards these days have little pockets for money and the cards are all opaque enough to light that you can't see it. Another trick is to tape the money to the inside of the card :) Thats how my family use to do it.
 
  • #11
Pengwuino said:
Use cash because most greeting cards these days have little pockets for money and the cards are all opaque enough to light that you can't see it.
What seems to be eluding you here is that we're dealing with Canada Post. Their record with mail is about the same as United Airlines' with luggage. :-p
 

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