How to Spot Fake Forever Stamps and Protect Your Mail

Spotting fake Forever Stamps can be a challenge, but there are some key things to look out for.

A genuine Forever Stamp will always have a unique serial number printed on it, which can be verified on the USPS website.

The color and design of a fake Forever Stamp may be slightly off from the real thing, making it easier to spot.

Make sure to examine the stamp carefully, as the subtle differences can be a dead giveaway.

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Counterfeiting of Forever stamps has become increasingly sophisticated, making it difficult to spot fakes. Almost every new stamp in 2021 was found to be forged.

One way to identify a genuine stamp is to look for pure and bright colors. Genuine USPS stamps have a comprehensive color effect that is a product of multiple factors, including printing technology, paper, and ink. Fake stamps, on the other hand, are inevitably dim in color and have an unauthentic hue.

You can also examine the printing methods used. Genuine stamps are often printed with engraving, which gives them a perception of relief and a hand feeling. In contrast, counterfeit stamps are usually printed with offset or photogravure methods, which can result in thick dots, deformed fonts, and blurred patterns.

The paper used for genuine stamps is also a giveaway. Genuine USPS stamps are made of special "coated stamp paper" that has a visible difference in color and luster compared to ordinary offset paper and coated paper.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Postage Stamp Paper

Counterfeit stamps are a growing problem, with almost every new stamp being found forged in 2021. This is why Scott created a new catalog to help identify the differences between genuine and counterfeit US stamps.

The tiny differences can be hard to spot, but some common signs of counterfeits include blurry or fuzzy text and design details. Differences in color and die cuts that aren’t quite right are also red flags.

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The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) warns consumers to be cautious when buying Forever Stamps online, especially on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Scammers often target online shoppers with deep discounts on Forever Stamps.

It's essential to only purchase from approved vendors to avoid getting scammed. Big box retailers and warehouses are usually safe bets, but even they may occasionally offer small discounts on postage with the express permission of the Postal Service.

If an ad seems too good to be true, it probably is – there's no such thing as a "discounted" Forever Stamp. Scammers often advertise Forever Stamps sold in bulk quantities at a deep discount, usually 20 to 50 percent off their face value.

Curious to learn more? Check out: How to Order Us Postage Stamps Online

The color of a genuine USPS postage stamp is a key factor in identifying counterfeits. It's a pure hue and the color is bright, thanks to the high-quality ink used.

The color of fake stamps, on the other hand, is inevitably dim. This is because they're printed with ordinary ink that can't match the vibrancy of the genuine article.

Under the light, the color of a fake stamp can look significantly different from that of a genuine stamp. This is a dead giveaway that it's not the real deal.

Observed through a 20x magnifying glass, the pattern on a fake stamp is often displayed as colored dots. This is a sign that the color register is inaccurate and the colors are overlapping.

Printing types can be a giveaway when it comes to identifying counterfeits. Engraved stamps, for instance, have a clear perception of relief, with the pattern and ink layer embossed, giving an obvious tactile feeling.

The number of texture lines per inch is another key differentiator. Genuine photogravure stamps have more than 250 lines, while fake ones usually have 120 to 210.

Genuine stamps also have soft and uniform colors, whereas fake ones often have problems like thick dots, deformed fonts, and blurred patterns. These issues are particularly noticeable under a 20x magnifying glass.

Genuine USPS stamps are made of special paper designated by the postal department.

This paper has a distinct color and luster that's different from ordinary offset paper and coated paper.

Counterfeiting of stamps has become a significant issue, with almost every new stamp found to be forged in 2021.

The quality of counterfeit stamps has improved dramatically, making them increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine ones. In the past, fake stamps had poor graphic quality and uneven die-cutting, but scammers have adapted to these measures by adding fluorescent tags and improving the graphic quality.

Genuine USPS stamps are made of specially designated stamp paper that has a distinct color and luster. Observing the surface of the paper can help you discern the fake from the genuine.

The color effect on a stamp's surface is a key indicator of authenticity. Genuine stamps have a pure hue and bright color, while fake stamps are inevitably dim and have an unauthentic hue.

The printing methods used for genuine stamps can also be a giveaway. Engraved stamps have a perception of relief, with the pattern and ink layer embossed, giving an obvious hand feeling.

Under a magnifying glass, the number of texture lines per inch on genuine stamps of photogravure printing is more than 250, while fake stamps usually have 120 to 210. Genuine stamps also have clear and solid patterns, soft and uniform colors, whereas fake stamps have problems like thick dots, deformed fonts, blurred patterns, and overlapping colors.

To spot fake Forever stamps, you need to be vigilant about avoiding false advertisements on social media. If you see postage for sale on Facebook, eBay, or similar platforms, especially in bulk quantities at a significantly discounted price, it's a telltale sign that the ad is bogus.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns that if a deal on postage stamps seems too good to pass up, the stamps are probably counterfeit. They advise being skeptical and not falling for discounts from 20% to 50% off their face value.

To find legitimate places to buy postage, search for "Approved Postal Provider" on the USPS website. This will give you a list of stores where you can purchase real US stamps, such as Contract Postal Units or National Retailers.

The USPS has issued a warning about fake Forever stamps being sold online. These stamps are often deeply discounted, with prices 20% to 50% off their face value.

Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service says that if a deal on postage stamps is "too good to pass up", the stamps are probably counterfeit. The inspection service warns that if you see an online offer for stamps that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The postal service doesn't discount stamps, but some retailers do. However, getting confirmation on what's legitimate can be challenging.

New stamps use ink that glows under UV light, but fake ones don't. This is one way to verify the authenticity of a stamp.

If you're buying stamps online, be cautious of suspicious websites and offers that seem too good to be true.

To protect yourself from scams, it's essential to be cautious when purchasing postage online.

Avoid buying postage online from anywhere except the official USPS Postage Store.

Be on high alert for false advertisements on social media, especially if they're offering postage in bulk at a significantly discounted price. This is often a red flag for a scam.

The USPS has a helpful search function that lets you find "Approved Postal Providers" - search under "Contract Postal Unit" or "National Retailer" to find stores where you can buy real US stamps.

Additional reading: Fake Usps Tracking Numbers