Postage stamps

[4getmenot]

Just noticed that stamps have now got some weird tabs on them, what are they?

[factor-fiction]

I read somewhere that it was to enable Royal Mail to detect stamps that have been used before and peeled off envelopes. I'm not certain though.

[rov1200]

Would you believe it? Its to stop fraud!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/ 02/16/tamper-proof-stamps-set-to-stop-mail-che ats-115875-21127338/

[factor-fiction]

Fair enough if peopel re-use them- but what about where you realise you've put the wrong stamp on or misaddressed the envelope or just change your mind about posting- it means you can't remove and reuse the stamp.

[spudqueen]

Well would you believe it - I work in a Post Office and I have neither seen any of these stamps or even heard of them before!

[dzug]

Aren't these the recent special issue that were designed to fit together like jigsaw pieces?

If so it's nothing to do with fraud - just makes them look fancy.

There are anti-fraud measures coming along - like non-soakable gum.

[Buenchico]

Factor 30:
Even back in the days before self-adhesive stamps (i.e. when you had to lick the back of them), I worked out what to do if I'd stuck a stamp onto an envelope where it wasn't required.

The answer is to simply cut around the stamp (leaving it attached to part of the envelope) and then to glue the whole thing onto a new envelope.

Dzug & Spudqueen:
The question appears to refer to the two oval 'cut-outs' which can be seen on each of the 'definitive' stamps here. (Strangely, Royal Mail have not included the same security feature on the two 'commemorative' stamps in the same booklet):
http://i39.tinypic.com/34eqm48.jpg

Chris

[rojash]

"The answer is to simply cut around the stamp (leaving it attached to part of the envelope) and then to glue the whole thing onto a new envelope."

So, presumably, the people who are currently peeling off stamps can use the same technique, and the whole thing becomes an extra expense of the Post Office without achieving anything :-)

[spudqueen]

I had a look in work today and the only stamps we currently have which have these tabs are the books of 100 2nd class self adhesive. I'd never have noticed them though if you hadn't pointed them out!

[4getmenot]

Many Thanks for all answers surely though any stamps that have been used would have a stamp mark on from the sorting office