Software like Audacity lets you encode pretty much how you want - so any initial source size can be misleading.
You'll see a lot of so called "upscaling" of 320 to FLAC or the usual dodgy low source mp3 re-encoded to 320.
It does nothing and is pointless - just a waste of memory space.
The best way around official stuff being messed with is to buy it - or look for sites where some of us strive to provide clear sources
FWD.