Common Types of Card Fraud

  • Counterfeit cards: Completely fabricated cards using reproduction printing. Quality ranges from obvious fakes (wrong cardstock weight, poor printing) to sophisticated reproductions. Graders test cardstock thickness, printing quality, and UV fluorescence patterns.
  • Trimmed cards: Cards whose edges or corners are physically cut to remove wear and improve the appearance of condition. A trimmed card is slightly smaller than an authentic card; graders measure dimensions. Trimmed cards receive an "Altered" or "Authentic Altered" designation and are not given a numeric grade.
  • Re-pressed cards: Cards run through a press to flatten creases. Pressing leaves evidence detectable under proper lighting and magnification. Some legitimate card pressing is done on new cards before grading by collectors, which some graders do not penalize; altered vintage cards are a different matter.
  • Color-touched cards: Cards where ink or paint has been applied to cover surface marks or border wear. Detectable under UV light and magnification.
  • Fake slabs: Plastic holders that resemble genuine PSA or BGS holders but contain counterfeit or lower-grade cards. PSA and BGS holders have specific security features; counterfeits are usually detectable on close inspection.

How Grading Protects Buyers

PSA, BGS, and CGC train their graders specifically to detect alterations. When a card is submitted, it is examined for counterfeit indicators, trimming (by precise measurement), pressing, and color touch. Cards found to be altered receive a special designation, not a numeric grade. Buyers of graded cards can trust the stated grade reflects a genuine, unaltered example.

Graders also track specific cards known to have high counterfeit rates in the market and apply extra scrutiny. For vintage high-value cards (1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1986-87 Fleer Jordan), graders have seen enough examples to identify atypical characteristics.

Self-Authentication for Raw Cards

When buying raw cards, use these checks:

  1. Weight and thickness: Authentic cards have documented specifications. Card thickness gauges ($10-20 tools) can identify trimmed cards.
  2. UV light test: Genuine cards have specific UV fluorescence patterns. Color touch and reprints typically respond differently under UV.
  3. Reference examples: Compare against documented authentic examples using collector reference guides and online resources.
  4. Seller reputation: Buy from established sellers with detailed feedback histories and return policies.
  5. Price skepticism: If a card is priced dramatically below recent comps for an ungraded copy, investigate why before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a PSA graded card is genuine?

Genuine PSA slabs have specific security features: the PSA certification number on the label can be verified on the PSA website (psacard.com/cert), which shows the card's grade and certification history. The label should have consistent font and printing. The holder itself has specific construction characteristics. For high-value cards, compare the physical holder to reference images of current PSA production holders.

What is a "trimmed" card?

A trimmed card is one whose edges or corners have been physically cut to remove visible wear and improve condition appearance. Trimmed cards are slightly smaller than genuine examples. Professional graders measure card dimensions and can detect trimming. A trimmed card receives an "Altered" designation from graders and has minimal collector market value, as it is no longer in original condition.

Can I return a card if it turns out to be fake?

On eBay, "significantly not as described" is grounds for a return under the Money Back Guarantee, and a counterfeit would qualify. For direct sales, your recourse depends on the seller's policies. For high-value purchases, buy only graded cards from reputable graders, which transfers the authentication risk to the grading company. If a PSA-graded card is found to be improperly graded, PSA has a guarantee process.

References

Last reviewed: September 2026. Market data and platform fees subject to change.