USPS Mailin’ It podcast covers counterfeit coupons

I have to admit that I’ve never listened to a huge number of podcasts; it seems there’s always something else going on that requires attention. But when I saw a promotion in a recent USPS email regarding a podcast featuring a United States Postal Inspector, my interest was piqued, and I tuned in.

The Mailin’ It podcast episode titled How Postal Inspectors Clipped a $31 Million Coupon Scam covers the US Postal Inspection Service’s involvement in tracking down the people responsible for selling counterfeit coupons.

Counterfeiting coupons may sound like a fairly harmless crime, but we’re not talking about 25¢ or 50¢ discounts. No, the coupons in question had face values much, much higher; one example given was worth $25! By the time inspectors finished their investigation, charges had been filed against multiple people accused of producing over $30 million worth of counterfeit coupons and distributing them through the mail; that’s where the Postal Inspection Service came in.

Admittedly, counterfeit coupons fall more than a bit outside the world of philately, but if you’re interested in learning more about the Postal Inspection Service’s activities, I think this podcast is well worth a listen.

Published 2025-04-03