Customer is purchasing a money order and has requesting that we backdate it to 12-31-10. We can't do this, can we?

Just say no.

I would also report it to your BSA person / officer. May be something "unusual" here. We had an attorney to ask us to do that a few years ago - seems like it was several weeks of backdating - we said - no way. turned out there was more to the story and an investigation started - good thing we included this information as well. (could be trying to get a tax benefit of somesort).

Probably just trying to not get a late fee on their rent payment if if the due date fell on a weekendand they planned to leave it in the office drop box over the weekend... Of that was the case and they were paying with a check as long as it's in the office drop box by opening on monday morning then it's not late. But if it's a money order with the printed date on it, doesnt matter if it office was closed on due date because it has the date printed right on it.