Dan, I attempted to do that and it was a horror story.  The money is sent overseas.  The cost of mailing a registered letter was about the same cost as the three month VIP subscription as I recall.  I chose not to do it and sent it regular first class mail.

Four weeks later the money still had not been posted to my account so I finally took the chance and paid it on a credit card.  I have heard from others that three to four weeks is not uncommon for the money to be applied to the account if mailed in so make sure you anticipate that delay and figure it in to when you send the money order.

Also, when I attempted to trace the money order then cancel it, I found the process so difficult and time consuming (involving me and TER), I chose just to eat the money as I felt it would cost me more in time than the amount I paid.

I have been a member of TER for over a year, have always paid by money order (sent regular mail) and have never had a problem.

Re: Safest way to pay for a VIP membership

If the cops were that interested in you they could get the information in several other ways.
I pay by plastic.

as Raven said, it does take quite a long time. The money goes to the Netherlands, and can take 4-5 weeks to clear, so if you're going to go this way, plan ahead and leave enough time so you don't run out of days in the VIP bank. It happened to me, and it sucked.

If knowing you have a membership is of concern, then do what I did.  Get one of those autoloaded credit cards and that has no trace back to you at all.  If you are that worried about things being traced back to you, there's nothing much you can do in terms of the LE aspect.  If they wanted to go get a court order to check everything electronic you interface with, you can bet they'll be checking your personal computer along with any work computer too.  I seriously doubt unless you are some public official or something like that, the LE would ever go THAT far just to get a patron of someone.

I think the uploaded card is your best bet.  I think or suspect there are a good number of members here that have the SO aspect in their life.  Since I've gotten the membership, I've found it quite useful when scanning over information.

I've had the same problem - don't want to pay by credit card; mailed a money order and never got any credit, just wrote it off, there are a number of post about problems with the prepaid cards, and i'd tried several and they did not work (Visa, Amex), finally got a prepaid MasterCard gift card at the supermarket and it worked - so I know use that to supplement my review days - the advantage of a prepaid gift card is that you can buy it for cash, and there is no billing statement record.  If it does not work, at least you can use the card at a store to buy something.

It is rechargable and non-traceable. When you call to activate the card, give them bogus information. I use this method for everything pertaining to this business!

My .02
Paris