Why are so many people being hit with £5 fines for 'counterfeit' stamps?

There is something of a mystery going on at the Royal Mail — but nothing to do with the recent Post Office scandal. Disgruntled, Tony contacted his friend, who explained that this stamp was one of 103 she had received from the Royal Mail after exchanging £95.69 worth of nonbarcoded stamps through the Stamp Swap Out scheme. Yet given the provenance of the stamps, it appeared to Tony and his friend that the Royal Mail itself was sending out what it subsequently marked as ‘counterfeit’ stamps. It is unclear at what point these ‘counterfeit’ stamps have entered circulation, and their source — or whether they are genuine and Royal Mail’s scanning technology is at fault. A Royal Mail spokesman says: ‘Royal Mail uses a controlled process which is secure and robust for the distribution of our stamps and stamp products, including stamps supplied to customers through our Swap Out scheme.’ This is of little comfort to 78- year-old charity volunteer Pam James, from Nailsea in North Somerset.