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If you use the UK postage system, you’ll know that since Summer 2023 Royal Mail only accept stamps that include the new barcodes.
This new form of stamp was created to crack down on counterfeit fraud. However, it didn’t stop the fraudsters from attempting to continue scamming the public.
£5 levy for counterfeit stamps
Between August 2023 and April 2024 there have been many reports of those receiving post being forced to pay a £5 fine in order to have the letter or parcel sent to them in their hands.
The Royal Mail said it was because the stamps used were counterfeit, but many customers claimed they had bought the stamps from a Post Office, or event the Royal Mail’s website.
Barcode scanner and independent arbitrator
Royal Mail have temporarily suspended the £5 levy, and instead have added a function to their free-to-use smartphone app that will enable people to check if a stamp is a known fake.
In addition, they have appointed a new independent arbitrator to make the final decision in cases where a surcharge is disputed by the customer and the complaint has reached deadlock.
The expert – from the stamp dealer Stanley Gibbons – will examine the stamp with their decision being “fully independent of Royal Mail and the judgment binding”.
Check the Apple app store or Google Play store to download the Royal Mail app.
Source: The Guardian
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