Warning, fake baseball cards being sold on eBay. Thank you for bringing this important issue to my attention. The sale of counterfeit sports memorabilia, especially expensive vintage cards, is unfortunately a widespread problem that hurts collectors and the hobby. According to studies done by card grading services and collectors groups, it is estimated that as much as 20% of vintage basketball, football and baseball cards being sold online through sites like eBay are counterfeits. Some of the most valuable vintage cards worth hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars, the financial incentive for scammers to produce fakes is enormous. The most common types of fake cards that show up for sale include rare vintage rookies and autograph cards of star players from the 1950s to 1980s. Popular targets are stars like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Jody Maggio, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan. Scammers will scan real examples of these high valued cards, make subtle alterations to things like barters, signatures, stats and then print near-perfect replicas on the same types of paper stock that was used during the original card's production years. Without specialized tools like watermark detectors, ultraviolet lights and microscope examination, it can be very difficult for even experienced collectors to reliably discern real from fake when viewing digital images online. These fake cards are so skillfully produced that many uninformed buyers, especially those new to collecting, have no reason to doubt the authenticity described by dishonest sellers and glowing listings. The counterfeits are often priced lower than you would expect genuine examples to fetch, bringing on the hopes of finding that one in a million bargain. After purchasing and receiving these fakes, many aggrieved collectors then leave negative feedback about the question of the law authenticity without being certain it is actually counterfeit. This allows scammers to continue fooling future buyers by pointing to their generally positive feedback scores. There have been a handful of high profile busts by the FBI, Secret Service and Interpol in recent years that have put a dent in some larger counterfeiting rings operating overseas, especially in China. But the cat and mouse game continues as counterfeiters improve their methods, with limitless inventory available as image files that can be endlessly reproduced. It is a game they have significant advantages in and a game with huge potential payoffs considering how wealthy some collectors are. In-bric and mortar sports card and auction companies have struggled with finding ways to reliably thwart counterfeits without expensive authentication for every item they sell. So what can collectors do to help avoid getting duped when buying vintage cards online? Education and vigilance are key. Never purchase rare, valuable cards without close condition analysis using tools like loaps, watermark detectors and ultraviolet lights, which aren't practical from inspection of online photos. Just demand clear, detailed images of both the front and back taken in neutral lighting to examine design details, centering, surface qualities and other attributes of authenticity. Check with authentication services like PSA slash DNA, BGS and others about known counterfeits of the cards you're interested in. Look up recent auction sale histories on sites like Golden and Check Paper Money Guided prices.com to determine a realistic market value versus suspiciously low prices. Enter working with reputable auction houses and sports memorabilia shops that utilize expert graders and have financial stake in weeding outfakes. For online sites like eBay, thoroughly check seller feedback and history, ask questions and use common sense. Any seller unwilling to provide close-up images or additional photos upon requests should be avoided. Consider paying a small authentication fee for cards of significant value using a respected third party service as part of the transaction. If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. A meant Mickey Mandel rookie in PSA 8 condition isn't going to be found for hundreds rather than hundreds of thousands. By educating ourselves and fellow collectors, utilizing available tools and services and supporting open discussion of counterfeiting issues, over time we can help diminish the opportunities and incentives for counterfeatures praying upon the hobby we all enjoy. Stay alert and trust your instincts. Knowledge is power in avoiding the fakes. While widespread fraud hurts us all as collectors, there is also much to appreciate. The cards themselves represent our connection to history, athletic achievement and childhood memories. As long as scammers don't diminish our passion for the authentic, they don't truly defeat what makes this hobby so special. With continued vigilance and looking out for one another, I'm confident the collectors' community will only grow stronger. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions and happy collecting.