Huge win for GB News! Royal Mail appoints independent arbitrator after People's Channel exposed counterfeit stamp scandal
Royal Mail has appointed a new independent arbitrator after the stamp scandal
PA | GB NEWS
Royal Mail has launched a new stamp scanner which lets customers check to see if their stamp is a known counterfeit.
The postal giant has also announced a new independent arbitrator, as the final stage of its disputes process.
It comes after a GB News investigation, first published in January, revealed dozens and dozens of people were being charged £5 for their post, despite the stamps being bought from reputable places such as Post OfficePost Office.
GB News later revealed Royal Mail had admitted to applying a £5 counterfeit stamp surcharge despite a stamp having been genuine.
In a letter, Royal Mail told the sender: "Royal Mail had therefore been wrong to apply the surcharge and I am very sorry that our actions have failed you on this occasion.
“I wish to assure you this matter has not been taken lightly and whilst it is rare that items are incorrectly charged, an investigation is now underway by senior colleagues at Royal Mail Revenue and Protection to ascertain why this has happened, and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.”
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Royal Mail has applied 'counterfeit stamp' yellow stickers to the withheld envelopes GB NEWSThe new stamp scanner, in Royal Mail’s mobile phone app, is intended to provide extra reassurance to customers who may be unsure about whether a stamp is counterfeit or not.
Once they’ve scanned the barcode, the customer will be told whether it is scanning as a recognised counterfeit or not.
Royal Mail advises customers to scan their stamps on each occasion before use if they didn’tpurchase their stamps from Royal Mail, Post Office or another reputable high street outlet.
An expert from stamp dealers Stanley Gibbons has been introduced as an independent arbitrator, in cases requiring resolution.
Have you been affected by this issue? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk.
Royal Mail has announced the launch of its new counterfeit stamp scanner
ROYAL MAIL
Royal Mail said the arbitration process will only be activated in cases where a surcharge has been raised and disputed by the customer.
If Royal Mail’s complaints procedure has been exhausted without resolution, arbitration will be the final stage of the process, Royal Mail said.
Stanley Gibbons will conduct an examination of the physical stamp identified by Royal Mail as being counterfeit. Their decision will be fully independent of Royal Mail and the judgement binding.
Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We continue to do all we can to protect our customers from the scourge of counterfeit stamps, and since introducing barcoded stamps we have reduced the number of counterfeit stamps in our network by around 90 per cent.
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“The new counterfeit stamp scanner on the Royal Mail app will help prevent customers inadvertently falling victim to stamp fraud.
“We want our customers to buy stamps with confidence and always recommend that customers only purchase stamps from Post Offices and other reputable retailers or the official Royal Mail shop.”
A Post Office spokesperson previously told GB News: "Stamps are available to buy from a number of different sources. Post Office Ltd receives its stamps direct from Royal Mail’s secure printers.
“Customers who buy stamps at Post Offices are given an itemised receipt, and this is required to investigate any allegations of fake stamps."