Is this site, which offers discounted stamps, the U.S. Postal Service? No, that's not true: A website posing as the U.S. Postal Service uses several almost-correct visual cues to masquerade as the real postal service, but does not have a Facebook verified name, as does the U.S. Postal Service. The bogus "U.S Postal Service" page (note the missing period in the name) has only been in existence since January 12, 2022, has only a handful of followers and is missing several elements of the official mail service.
The claim appeared as a Facebook post (archived here) where it was published on Facebook on January 13, 2022. It opened:
Our local USPS stamps are discounted this year! The price is very favorable. If you want some, here is a link! https://uspsstam.com/
This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Fri Jan 14 19:52:35 2022 UTC)
The imposter Facebook page was created on the same day the message was posted, this screenshot taken on January 14, 2022 shows:
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Fri Jan 14 20:18:34 2022 UTC)
The real official US Postal Service Facebook page uses the name US Postal Serivce and has a verified blue and white check next to the name. The official account has 867,000 followers while the fake one has 11 followers as of publication time.
The imposter Facebook page uses a header image of a USPS shipping box and has the thumbnail photo of a generic post office store front.
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Fri Jan 14 20:30:17 2022 UTC)
There is only one post on the fake page and the link to purchase stamps at a discount goes to a website that has the official logo of the USPS at the top. The url address is USPSSTAM.com.
This is a link to the real USPS website, which looks very different, even on the page where stamps are sold:
(Source: USPS website screenshot taken on Fri Jan 14 20:33:44 2022 UTC)
The imposter site appears to be selling U.S. Flag 2019 Postage Stamps (1 Sheet 100pcs) for $35.99. Those are also available on the real USPS website for $58.00. Discounted Forever stamps are for sale on the internet, including on ebay.
According to the USPS Forever Stamp Fact Sheet:
As the name suggests, Forever Stamps can be used to mail a one-ounce letter regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used and no matter how prices may change in the future."
The "Terms and Conditions" page on the imposter website include an assortment of incorrect grammar and broken sentences:
(Source: USPSSTAM website screenshot taken on Fri Jan 14 20:45:10 2022 UTC)
