USPS issues alert over counterfeit stamps
American flag stamps are the most commonly counterfeited design
(InvestigateTV) — The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has issued an alert warning of the sale of counterfeit stamps.
According to the alert, there has been an increase in counterfeit stamps being sold on social media and third party website, often at steep discounts.
“We’ve seen large discounts of up to 50 percent offered on some of these fraudulent listings,” U.S. Postal Inspector Michael Martel said. “That is a big red flag.”
“Counterfeit stamps come in a variety of colors and designs,” he continued. “And, these aren’t coming from the United States – the quality of these has increased drastically in the past few years. These are of course coming from overseas nations – where intellectual property laws aren’t enforced.”
Martel said with new changes to the domestic mail manual, items mailed with counterfeit postage will be considered abandoned and are subject to being opened and disposed of. Those selling the fake stamp could face jail time.
“You can actually face a penalty of up to five years imprisonment for those crimes,” Martel explained.
He said the loss of revenue from counterfeit stamps impacts the 600,000 postal employees who count on that money to operate and serve the American people.
Consumers can report the sale of fake stamps here. They can also learn more about stamps and where to safely buy them here.
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