Counterfeit Postage Scams
Fraudsters sell fake postage stamps or postage labels online at discounted prices; items sent with counterfeit postage are returned to senders or attract surcharge fees.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Counterfeit postage scams involve the sale of fake stamps, franking labels, or printed postage that appears genuine but has no value with the postal service. Victims — typically online sellers or small businesses trying to reduce postage costs — purchase what appears to be discounted legitimate postage, only to find that letters and parcels sent using it are either returned to sender or delivered to the recipient along with a surcharge demand for unpaid postage.
Counterfeit postage can range from low-quality scans of real stamps to high-resolution reproductions that are difficult to distinguish by eye. Some fraudsters produce entire sheets of fake stamps sold as 'bulk postal savings' on social media marketplaces, classified ad platforms, or direct via messaging apps. Others sell fake click-and-ship labels or printed domestic postage labels generated with stolen account credentials from legitimate postage services.
The harm falls on several parties: the buyer loses money paid for worthless postage; the intended recipients receive bills for unpaid postage or simply never receive their items; and where a commercial relationship is involved, the buyer's reputation as a seller suffers when customers report non-delivery or unexpected postage surcharge demands.
For small businesses sending high volumes of post, the cumulative financial impact can be substantial. Even individual sellers sending occasional packages can face embarrassment and administrative burden when items are returned for 'insufficient postage'.
How it works
The most common vector is social media or marketplace advertising. A seller offers stamps or postage at a significant discount — typically 20 to 40 percent below face value — framed as surplus stock, a business closing down, or bulk savings. Buyers who purchase the stamps or labels use them to send post.
Postal workers scanning outgoing mail identify items bearing counterfeit postage when the barcode fails to scan, the franking mark does not match the expected format, or the item triggers an inspection. These items may be returned to the sender if a return address is visible, or delivered with a postage-due notice attached.
For digital postage labels generated using compromised accounts on legitimate postage platforms, the fraud is more sophisticated. The fraudster accesses real postage-generation services using stolen credentials or payment details, generates labels at the expense of the legitimate account holder, and sells those labels at a discount. The legitimate account is eventually suspended or billed, and the labels stop working — leaving buyers with parcels in transit that are suddenly undeliverable.
Victims often discover the fraud only when their parcels are returned or when customers contact them about undelivered items.
Why this scam works
Discounted pricing is a powerful motivator, especially for businesses where postage is a significant recurring cost. The offer feels like a legitimate bulk-purchase opportunity rather than a fraud, because selling on unused postage is itself a real practice.
Counterfeit stamps that pass visual inspection give no immediate indication that anything is wrong. The fraud is only discovered at the point of postal processing, which may happen days after the stamps were purchased and used.
Common red flags
- Stamps or postage labels offered at 20 percent or more below face value from an unofficial seller
- Seller claims to be selling surplus business stock with no verifiable business presence
- Postage purchased from a social media listing rather than an official postal channel
- Labels do not scan correctly when tested at the post office counter
- Items sent with the purchased postage are returned for 'insufficient postage'
- Customers report non-delivery of items you know were sent
- Purchased labels stop working mid-batch without explanation
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Selling surplus first-class stamps — [face value] each, selling in books of 20 for [discounted price]. Perfect for small businesses. Message to arrange.
Business closing sale: large quantity of unused postage labels at 30% off. Ideal for eBay sellers. PayPal accepted. [Listing platform link]
Get [Postage Platform] labels at a discount — I have credits to sell. Fully valid, all major carriers. Bulk orders welcome. DM for rates.
Your item returned: insufficient postage. The postage attached to this item was not accepted. Please re-send with valid postage.
Notice of postage due: the item addressed to [recipient] requires an additional [amount] in postage. Please pay at [post office counter] to release delivery.
Common variations
- Digital label fraud using stolen credentials from legitimate postage accounts
- Meter-franked counterfeit: fake franking marks that mimic legitimate business franking
- International postage fraud: fake airmail or international labels sold to businesses shipping overseas
- Subscription postage account fraud: fraudster opens accounts on postage platforms using stolen payment details, generates labels, and sells before the account is closed
How to verify before you act
Only purchase stamps and postage from official postal services, major licensed retailers, or established postage platform partners. Be sceptical of discounted postage offered through social media, classified ads, or direct messaging.
If you receive stamps from an unofficial source, check them against samples from the official postal service website. Genuine modern stamps often include security features — microprinting, holograms, or barcodes — that counterfeit versions may lack or reproduce poorly.
For high-volume postage needs, use a direct account with an official business postage platform rather than purchasing labels second-hand.
Payment methods used
- Cryptocurrency
- Bank/wire transfer
- Gift cards
- Money transfer services
- Payment apps to 'friends & family'
Who is usually targeted
- Online marketplace sellers looking to reduce postage costs
- Small businesses sending high volumes of post
- Individuals buying in bulk for perceived savings
What to do immediately
- Stop using any remaining counterfeit postage immediately
- Contact the platform through which you purchased the postage and report the seller
- Notify any customers whose items may have been sent with counterfeit postage and offer to resend
- Report the seller to your national postal service's fraud or enforcement team
- Request a refund via your payment provider — a chargeback may be possible if payment was by card
- File a report with your national consumer protection or fraud reporting body
How to prevent it
- Only purchase stamps and postage from official postal services, licensed retailers, or verified postage platforms
- Be sceptical of any postage offered at a significant discount through informal channels
- For business postage, open a direct account with an official postal business service rather than buying second-hand labels
- Test a small batch of purchased stamps or labels before committing to a large volume
- Keep purchase records for all postage so you can trace the source if returns occur
- Report any social media listings offering discounted postage to the platform and your postal service
Evidence to preserve
- Records of the purchase, including the platform listing, seller's profile, and payment receipts
- Screenshots of the advertisement or listing for the discounted postage
- Any returned mail or postage-due notices received after using the stamps or labels
- Customer complaints about non-delivery
- Any remaining samples of the counterfeit postage for submission to postal authorities
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Am I liable for the postage surcharge if items were sent with counterfeit stamps I unknowingly bought?
In most jurisdictions, recipients should not be held liable for surcharges on items sent with counterfeit postage they did not apply. However, the process of challenging surcharges can be time-consuming. Contact your postal service and explain that you used what you believed to be legitimate postage you purchased from a seller who misrepresented it. File a fraud report to support your position. If you are the sender, you may be asked to pay outstanding postage on returned items — retain all evidence of where the stamps were purchased to support a reimbursement claim.
Can I get a refund if I paid for counterfeit postage?
If you paid by credit card or debit card, initiate a chargeback claim through your card provider on the grounds that the goods were not as described or were fraudulent. If you paid via a payment app or bank transfer, contact the platform's buyer protection team or your bank. Payments made by cash or non-reversible transfer may not be recoverable. Report the seller to the platform and to trading standards or consumer protection authorities.