Stamping out counterfeits

As part of our fight against counterfeit stamps, we have launched a new counterfeit stamp scanner in the Royal Mail app.

The feature enables customers to check if a stamp is a known counterfeit and has been designed to provide extra reassurance for customers and prevent them from inadvertently becoming victims of fraud.

Once the barcode on the stamp is scanned in the Royal Mail app, the customer will be told whether it is scanning as a recognised counterfeit or not.

If customers did not purchase their stamps from Royal Mail, the Post Office or another reputable High Street outlet, they are advised to scan their stamps on each occasion before use.

A further measure being announced is the introduction of an expert from stamp dealers, Stanley Gibbons, as an independent arbitrator in cases requiring resolution.

The arbitration process will be activated only in cases where a surcharge has been raised and disputed by the customer.

If Royal Mail’s complaints procedure has been exhausted without resolution, arbitration will be the final stage of the process.

Stanley Gibbons will conduct an examination of the physical stamp identified by Royal Mail as a counterfeit. Their decision will be fully independent of Royal Mail and the judgement binding.

We will extend the pause on the collection of the surcharge for recipients receiving mail using counterfeit stamps and continue, where possible, to seek to locate and surcharge the sender.

The temporary pause will be kept under review. During this extension period, Royal Mail will maintain the process of applying stickers to items to advise the recipient that the stamp used has scanned as counterfeit.

We are committed to increased partnership working with retailers and online marketplaces, as well as using social media and online platforms to continue to raise public awareness about counterfeit stamps.

Since the introduction of barcoded stamps, we have seen counterfeit stamps in our network reduce by around 90%.