May 16, 2024
Dear  John xxxxxx,

Today, I want to draw attention to a matter that affects not only those who may be sending letters to their friends and family but also the integrity of our postal system - counterfeit stamps. In FY2022, the Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service seized more than 340,000 packages with counterfeit postage and more than 7.7 million illegal counterfeit stamps.

What are Counterfeit Stamps?: Counterfeit stamps are often sold by unauthorized third-party retailers and scam websites at a discounted price. They may appear like real postage stamps, but the counterfeit postage may cause your letters to be rejected or destroyed.

How to Avoid a Counterfeit Stamps? - Be aware of stamp discounts. Counterfeit stamps are often sold in bulk quantities at a significant discount–anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of their face value. Scammers can do more damage than just take your money. From the transaction information, they may try to steal your identity, sell your info, and/or target you for more scams.  

How do I Buy Real Stamps? - You can purchase legitimate stamps in-person at a USPS store, The Postal Store Online, Stamps By Phone, Stamps By Mail, and Stamps By Fax. You can also purchase postage from USPS Approved Postal Providers. Approved vendors can include legitimate “big box” or warehouse retailers who do provide very small discounts on postage stamps, but this is through resale agreements with the Postal Service. For more information on stamp basics Click Here!

Don't risk your packages and mail not arriving on time to your loved ones, breaking the law, and identity theft, avoid counterfeit stamps scams! If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a postal scam click here to report now or email [email protected].

Together we can keep our community safe and protected! 

Sincerely,

Sylvia R. Garcia
Member of Congress

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