http://washingtontimes.com/national/20031204-111437-5659r.htm "National Security Letters..."
"The measure redefines "financial institutions" that was previously limited to banks, credit unions, and savings and loan organizations.
Now the definition also includes brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, investment bankers, operators of credit-card systems, insurance companies, dealers in precious metals, stones, or jewels, licensed senders of money, telegraph companies, airplane and boat dealers, Realtors and estate closings, and the U.S. Post Office.
Financial institution also means "any other business designated by the secretary [of the Treasury] whose cash transactions have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory matters.
Administration officials support the bill because it allows law enforcement to pursue investigations with greater speed and flexibility.
Senate committee staffers said the investigative tool is not new and was used in the past for money-laundering investigations.
Those same tools should be available to investigate terrorism, they said, and were requested by the administration."
IOW, no big deal.
Now the definition also includes brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, investment bankers, operators of credit-card systems, insurance companies, dealers in precious metals, stones, or jewels, licensed senders of money, telegraph companies, airplane and boat dealers, Realtors and estate closings, and the U.S. Post Office.
Sounds like no more anonymous money orders.