Royal Mail Swap Out - Fraudulent stamps

Zero_Gravitas

Had a not dissimilar issue with stamps. Had a card through the door to say there was excess postage to pay on a letter.  Went to the local sorting office (only open 08:00 to 12:00 weekdays…) and paid the £2.50 excess charge.

Turns out it was a letter to my wife from the local health centre, one piece of A4 in a standard DL size envelope, and with a second class stamp affixed. So I asked the staff why I’d had to pay an excess charge.  The only explanation they could give me what that the stamp must be a fake - but crucially, couldn’t tell me how they could identify this.

I asked for my £2.50 back. They couldn’t do a card refund (which is how I’d paid), and didn’t have a till to get any cash out; so in the end they gave me £2.50 out of their petty cash tin.

RefluentBeans

Zero_Gravitas said:

Had a not dissimilar issue with stamps. Had a card through the door to say there was excess postage to pay on a letter.  Went to the local sorting office (only open 08:00 to 12:00 weekdays…) and paid the £2.50 excess charge.

Turns out it was a letter to my wife from the local health centre, one piece of A4 in a standard DL size envelope, and with a second class stamp affixed. So I asked the staff why I’d had to pay an excess charge.  The only explanation they could give me what that the stamp must be a fake - but crucially, couldn’t tell me how they could identify this.

I asked for my £2.50 back. They couldn’t do a card refund (which is how I’d paid), and didn’t have a till to get any cash out; so in the end they gave me £2.50 out of their petty cash tin.

To be honest - they probably wouldn’t tell you how it was faked. When fake products make it in to the mainstream and they get identified, the authorities don’t want to tell you how they detected the fake product. 

I’d imagine it has to do with an ink colour, and some proportion of mail is tested. If the colour is wrong then it’s deemed higher risk of forgery. 

The £2.50 ‘refund’ was entirely discretionary and probably to get you to go away. 

JDPower

I've just had my letter telling me my swap stamps were allegedly fake/used. Bought from the Co-op. So a national retailer is dealing un fraudulent stamps according to Royal Mail 🙄

linbb

Just had the same generic letter leaving me feeling accused and upset. The stamps were a combination of mine, my daughters and my husbands, all bought from different towns via newsagent-post office shop and I just get a letter saying they are all fake. What proof? What ability to challenge - nothing. Feel completely powerless. Good job it was only £44, not some of the amounts in the thread above, but still. I will be avoiding dealing with Royal Mail in the future wherever possible.