Thousands of counterfeit Forever postage stamps are seized in Chicago
Return to sender! (But make sure you do it legally.)
This reminder comes after Customs and Border Protection agents in Chicago seized nearly 162,000 counterfeit U.S. Forever stamps this past week, shipped from China.
Three things to know:
- The stamps were spread over eight different shipments, and had they been real, would have been worth over $118,000, according to CBP.
- The government agency says there has been an uptick in fraudulent stamps, especially around holidays like Valentine’s Day. And officials say the fakes have gotten better.
- Authentic stamps are produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in the United States. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the most frequently encountered counterfeit stamp is the flag stamp.
Want just the right amount of economics sent to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to the Planet Money newsletter.
What else has gotten confiscated?
Back in May of last year, NPR’s Emma Bowman reported on the increased frequency of CBP officers seizing counterfeit fentanyl pills.
In 2023, more than 115 million pills containing illicit fentanyl were seized by law enforcement, compared to over 71 million in 2022, according to a study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.
Dive deeper with NPR:
- Read more of Bowman’s reporting about the fentanyl crisis here.
- Listen to The Indicator podcast for a quick hit of insight into work, business and the economy.
How treatable is prostate cancer? A doctor reacts to Biden’s diagnosis
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the U.S., and often treatable. One urologist says Biden has good options ahead — largely thanks to recent advances in research.
IRS sued by watchdog group for records on Trump’s attacks on Harvard
Watchdog group American Oversight takes Trump administration to court over the alleged withholding of information related to Harvard University's tax-exempt status
Trump threatened school funding in Maine. Here’s how that money is used
Schools in Maine are in the middle of a political and legal battle between the Trump administration and Gov. Janet Mills. Key programs for the most vulnerable students are at stake.
Where does your weather forecast come from?
Whether you get your forecast from an app on your phone, a website or a meteorologist on TV, most of the underlying information comes from the federal government.
How President Trump is sparking a crypto revolution in America
Crypto exchange giant Coinbase is set to join the S&P 500 on Monday. It's the latest stunning development as Trump completely revamps the approach to crypto in the U.S.
How new at-home HPV test kits could help Alabama fight cervical cancer
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the country’s first at-home HPV screening kit, a disease that causes nearly all cervical cancers. While some hope the new kits might turn things around, others have questions.
