The United States Postal Service issued an alert ahead of the holiday rush after federal investigators uncovered a counterfeit-stamp scheme valued at roughly $16.2 million. The discovery comes during the highest mail-volume period of the year, when the demand for Forever stamps increases significantly for seasonal cards, packages, and business mailings.

Fraudulent Stamps Sold Through Unverified Online Channels

Officials reported that counterfeit Forever stamps were being promoted through social-media ads, unfamiliar e-commerce sites, and offshore vendors posing as discount suppliers. Many listings advertised large quantities of current stamp designs at prices far below the standard USPS rate, a level that no authorized seller offers.

Packaging and Designs Attempted to Mimic Genuine USPS Issues

The forged material included booklets, panes, and rolls closely resembling items sold in official retail locations. Investigators noted that several modern commemoratives and the common flag design were reproduced in large volumes. Although the imitations appeared convincing at a glance, they lacked specific production traits used in legitimate USPS printing, including micro-printed elements and required paper standards.

Consequences for Mail Sent With Counterfeit Postage

USPS stated that items bearing fraudulent postage may be delayed, returned, or assessed additional postage. These issues are especially disruptive during the holiday period, when package traffic reaches its annual peak and processing centers operate at maximum capacity.

USPS Lists Approved Sources for Legitimate Postage

The agency reminded customers that authentic stamps are sold only through the following:
• USPS retail counters
• The official USPS website
• Postal kiosks located inside select facilities
• Licensed third-party retailers
• Authorized philatelic partners for special issues

Any seller offering new Forever stamps at a steep discount was identified as a likely source of fraudulent material.

Ongoing Investigation Into Counterfeit Distribution Networks

The Postal Inspection Service confirmed that several shipments of forged stamps appear to have originated outside the United States before being routed to domestic buyers. Enforcement actions include seizing counterfeit stock, removing fraudulent online listings, and coordinating with customs and international postal authorities.

USPS Advises Mailers and Collectors to Inspect Their Stamps

The alert encouraged customers, collectors, and small-business shippers to examine all postage for irregular printing, inconsistent perforations, incorrect tagging, or unusual packaging. Suspicious items can be submitted to the Postal Inspection Service for review.

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