The recent seizure of nearly 162,000 counterfeit US “forever” stamps shipped from China at a Chicago mail facility by US Border Patrol agents has raised concerns about the prevalence of fake postage in the market. The stamps, if real, would be worth more than $118,000, highlighting the potential financial impact of counterfeit goods on the economy.
The US Customs and Border Protection revealed that eight shipments containing the fraudulent stamps were intercepted by anti-terrorism contraband agents at the Chicago International Mail Branch. The stamps violated trademark laws and were seized due to their poor quality, low invoice value, suspicious routing, and the “extraordinary” effort made to conceal the counterfeit nature of the stamps.
Counterfeiters are driven by profit and do not consider the consequences of their actions on the ability to send important mail or the overall impact on the US economy. LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations-Chicago, emphasized the importance of identifying and stopping counterfeit goods from reaching their intended destinations. The expertise of CBP officers and specialists played a crucial role in detecting these very realistic counterfeits.
The advancement of counterfeiting techniques poses a challenge for consumers, as fake stamps are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic ones. This trend is particularly concerning during high volume card holidays like Valentine’s Day, where the demand for postage stamps is higher. Authentic postage stamps are produced at the US Bureau of Engraving & Printing, ensuring their quality and legitimacy.
As authorities continue to crack down on counterfeit goods entering the country, it is essential for consumers to remain vigilant and only purchase postage stamps from trusted sources. By supporting legitimate businesses and avoiding counterfeit products, individuals can help protect the integrity of the postal service and the economy as a whole.
