Bait Money Orders are used to assist the Postal Inspection Service in investigations of which crimes?

• A. Identity theft
• B. Burglary and robbery
• C. Mail fraud
• D. Counterfeiting

Answer: (B)

Bait money orders are used as a controlled, traceable instrument to catch criminals who steal payment instruments and then try to use or cash them. By placing money orders in the field with known serial numbers and security features, investigators can track who handles or deposits them and connect that person to the crime. This approach is especially effective for burglaries and robberies, where stolen money orders are a common element and where tracing the offender’s actions can link them to the incident. While identity theft, mail fraud, or counterfeiting can involve financial instruments, the bait money order tactic directly targets the kinds of property crimes where those instruments are taken and subsequently misused. Therefore, the tool is best suited to aiding investigations of burglary and robbery.