Royal Mail Stamp Scam: How to Tell if Your Stamp Is Genuine to Avoid £5 Fine
As counterfeit Royal Mail stamps circulate in the UK, customers risk being fined £5 per letter for using forgeries. While these counterfeits are often difficult to distinguish from genuine ones, certain red flags can help you avoid being scammed and fined.
Identifying Counterfeit Royal Mail Stamps
1.
Examine the Surface:
Hold the stamp up to the light and look for Royal Mail lettering that runs over the lettering in a wave-like pattern. Authentic stamps have a subtle sheen, with the barcode section shinier than the head. If the stamp appears overly glossy, it might be counterfeit.2.
Inspect Perforations:
Check the stamp’s border for square-like perforations, indicating it was produced by Cartor Security Printers. Counterfeit stamps may have sharper or spikier perforations, making it difficult to differentiate between the two.3.
Barcode and Ovals:
Royal Mail stamps feature a barcode and two ovals as security features. On a genuine first-class stamp, the Roman numeral ‘I’ fits entirely in the bottom left oval, and the oval in the bottom right should align with the top of King Charles’ neck.4.
Turquoise FSC Logo:
Royal Mail introduced a purple colour scheme for first-class stamps in 2022, and the only postal service using a purple barcode. Look for the FSC certification logo and barcode, which should be turquoise – counterfeiters often make the mistake of colouring these purple along with the rest of the stamp.Avoid Suspiciously Low Prices
First-class Royal Mail stamps cost £1.35 for letters and £3.99 for parcels, while second-class stamps cost 85p and £2.55 respectively. If you encounter stamps offered online at significantly lower prices, be wary of their authenticity.
Reporting Counterfeits
Suspected counterfeit stamps can be reported to Royal Mail. By understanding these tips and purchasing stamps from reputable sources, you can protect yourself from falling victim to this scam and avoid potential fines.
