Counterfeit Forever Stamps

"Since April 2013, the postal auctions have been held online and include not only material lost in the U.S. but also material from other national postal authorities who consign them to the USPS for auction."

I'm surprised this is even allowed since there are tons of ID theft concerns and privacy concerns. Or do they open everything and only auction off any merch that is found?

I believe that is a person that is mailing large amounts will be investigated. I can not see the postal inspectors targeting anyone that may use a single stamp. They are not time enuff to prosecute the small fry. It is best not to use counterfit postage as it is illegal. You need to buy your stamps from the post office or authorized vender.

As to auctions held I do not know anything. I personally may be interested in buying a lot or two. If I do I will post what I was able to find. You can gamble with the lottery or slots. Buying a lot at auction would be such a gamble.

I can not see any collector value in counterfeits. I see several has posted about this in the past. I believe the any reason for collecting counterfeits would be for reference. Then you can check to see if a stamp is genuine.

I do not see why Scott's list modern counterfeits. I can see the collectable older issues. They all come with a story of who and when to accompanying. This would be part of postal history the darker side. Also with the older counterfeits you would have reference to identify genuine stamps. I also can see someone filling a space with a replica ( which should be marked clearly on the back). No one wants an empty space. Sometime are out of the price range for the collectors. If you can not afford a space filler or one is not available. I can see one buying such replicas. I make a marked differance to replicas and counterfeits. Replicas are made for the use of the hobby to fill those spots. A counterfeit is made to steal the service it was intended to be used for. Replicas were never intended to deceive unlike counterfeits. I will also add replicas without the notation of being so should not be allowed. They could deceive an unlearned collector. This then would make the replica a counterfit. The counterfit ( replica unmarked ) then would be made to deceive and not a purpose they were intended for.

They only auction off the merchandise. Any cash they find goes back to the Federal Government. Pornography, firearms, marijuana and other drugs are destroyed. Gift cards continue to be problematic, they are not auctioned off. I think they destroy them.

In 2002, the Topek Kansas Dead Letter Office opened a parcel and found what appeared to be Marc Chagall 8-by-10-inch painting "Study for 'Over Vitebsk". It was found to be an original stolen from a museum and it was returned to Israel by the USPS.
Don

Thanks for the clarification.