129.2 billion pieces of mail were sent by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) alone in 2020, according to the agency’s latest data. It seems pretty straightforward to send and receive mail, but countless people are victimized by USPS scams every year, from phishing emails to check fraud. As a result of a new scam, the Postal Service has issued a warning to customers who may see their mail go missing.
USPS stamps have been advertised on various Facebook posts and eBay listings since the second half of 2021. The Washington Times reports that a “bargain” roll of stamps has been advertised on social media, stating people can buy $58 worth of stamps for just $39, according to the paper. There is, however, a warning from the USPS that these discontinued stamps are most likely fakes.
“The Postal Service does not sell stamps below the value listed on the stamp,” a spokesman for U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) said, as per Best life Online.
Postal inspectors have reported that they are “aware of an increase in suspected counterfeit stamps offered for sale with many being offered on online platforms and websites,” according to The Washington Times.
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In December and into January, there was a surge in social media and email advertisements for “discount postage.” Different websites and ads claim to offer discounted costs for postage.
“The number of counterfeit stamps being sold from online platforms has escalated. Scammers peddle fake stamps on social media marketplaces, e-commerce sites via third party vendors, and other websites,” according to USPIS.
“Counterfeit stamps are often sold in bulk quantities at a significant discount—anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of their face value. That’s a tell-tale sign they’re bogus.”
You shouldn’t take any chances if you want your mail to be delivered. It might seem worth it, but if you want it delivered, don’t take any risks. AARP was told by Andrea Avery, an assistant inspector at USPIS, that the postal employee will confiscate your mail if they detect a counterfeit stamp.
“To ensure your trusted communication arrives at its destination without delay, the Postal Inspection Service wants you to be aware of—and avoid—phony postage,” USPIS stated.
The most commonly counterfeited stamp, according to law enforcement, is the Flag Stamp.
There is no way for a consumer to verify whether or not a stamp is genuine, as noted on the USPIS website that “purchasing stamps from a third-party wholesaler or online website can be unpredictable.” For this reason, the law enforcement service arm recommends that people only purchase postage from authorized post offices.
“Approved vendors can include legitimate ‘big box’ or warehouse retailers who do provide very small discounts on postage stamps, but this is through resale agreements with the Postal Service,” the USPIS added.