Royal Mail scam warning as millions of Brits urged to beware copycat websites

06 December 2023 , 13:14

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Which? has issued a Royal Mail warning (Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)

Royal Mail customers have been warned not to fall for scam and copycat websites offering discount stamps.

Which? has seen an example of a Facebook page titled “Royal Postal Mail” which claims to be running a “clearance sale for three days only” of second class stamps. It goes on to try and pressure shoppers to “buy before the deadline”.

The post also includes a link to theroyalmail.shop. Which? found another website impersonating Royal Mail called theroaymailshop.shop and said this advertised fake “buy 4 get 20% off” for stamps, as well as other large discounts.

Neither of these websites are affiliated with Royal Mail, whose official website is royalmail.com. A Royal Mail spokesperson told Which? magazine: "We are aware of the site and are taking appropriate measures."

It comes after the price of a first-class stamp for standard size letters increased again, from £1.10 to £1.25, in October of this year. It was the second time first-class stamps have gone up this year.

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Other stamp prices have also risen - for example, a first-class stamp for large letters went up from £1.60 to £1.95 in October, and a second-class stamp for large letters has increased from £1.15 to £1.55. But second-class stamps for standard letters remained at 75p.

Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail said: “We understand the economic challenges that many of our customers are currently facing and have considered the price changes very carefully in light of the significant decline in letter volumes.”

Royal Mail replaced traditional stamps with ones that feature barcodes earlier this year - these enable the sender to scan the parcel and watch a video online. Those receiving mail sent using non-barcoded stamps will be given a "Fee to Pay"' card telling them they must pay the surcharge.

The only stamps you can continue to use are “special stamps” issued to commemorate anniversaries and events, as well as Christmas stamps. On the Royal Mail website, it says a letter sent with a non-barcode stamp will be charged £2.50.

For small parcels, the fee rises to £3.50. If you still have some old stamps, you can exchange them through the Royal Mail “Swap Out” scheme. To do this, you’ll need to download a “Swap Out” form on the Royal Mail website, call up Royal Mail on 03457 740740, or pick up a form from a local delivery office or Post Office.

Levi Winchester