Fake trading cards — how to tell a genuine card
Counterfeit cards turn up on marketplaces, in social media groups and more and more often in “bargain” booster packs. Here is a quick test you can do at home, plus tips for each game.
No tool — including our scanner — can confirm a card is genuine from a photo. This test points out warning signs. For valuable cards, compare with a card you know is genuine or send it for grading (PSA, CGC, Beckett).
10-question test
Tick everything that applies to your card. The more ticks, the higher the risk of a fake.
What to look for in each game
Pokémon
- Back: deep blue with clear gradients and a sharp Poké Ball.
- Font and energy symbols identical to a card from a booster; “é” in Pokémon.
- Full arts and Special Illustration Rares have a texture you can feel — fakes are usually smooth.
- Detailed guide: how to spot fake Pokémon cards.
Magic: The Gathering
- Under a loupe (30–60×) genuine print shows a typical “rosette” dot pattern; fakes show a different pattern or flat colour.
- Compare the colour and pattern of the back with a cheap card from a booster.
- Be careful with Reserved List cards and old editions — the most counterfeited Magic cards.
Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Genuine cards have had Konami’s holographic “Eye of Anubis” seal in the bottom-right corner for years — it changes colour as you tilt it.
- Size 59 × 86 mm — smaller than Pokémon and Magic.
- Check the set code and language above the artwork (e.g. LOB-EN001) and the “1st Edition” text.
One Piece Card Game
- Compare the card code (e.g. OP05-119) and rarity with Bandai’s official card list.
- Parallel, Manga and SP cards have a distinctive shine and texture — fakes are often flat.
- Back: sharp logo and even borders.
Disney Lorcana
- Card number, set and language at the bottom must match the database.
- Enchanted cards have a clear embossed texture and foil across the whole artwork.
- Ink colours and frame must match genuine cards from the same set.
Videos: genuine vs fake
Videos by YouTube creators — a video loads only after you click it.
Booster packs and sealed products
- Resealed packs have uneven, glued or heat-pressed seams — genuine crimps are even and serrated.
- Shrink wrap: English Pokémon ETBs and booster boxes usually come in wrap printed with Poké Balls; plain wrap is a warning sign (check photos of the same product).
- Loose packs from unknown sellers may have been “weighed” — the heavier holo packs taken out. Buy sealed boxes or from shops.
- Compare the price with Cardometer search — a booster box far below market is a common sign of a counterfeit.
Fake PSA, CGC and Beckett slabs
- Every slab has a certificate number — enter it on the grading company’s site (links below) and compare the grade, card name and year.
- Whole cases, labels and even holograms get faked. A number that exists in the database is not enough — check that the description and photo (if any) match the card inside.
- Be wary of slabs of popular cards (Charizard, Pikachu, Umbreon) at suspiciously low prices.
How to buy safely
- Buy from shops and platforms with buyer protection (e.g. Cardmarket, eBay). Don’t pay by bank transfer to a private person from an ad.
- Ask for photos of the actual card with a note showing the date and your username, front and back, against the light.
- For expensive cards meet in person and inspect before paying, or buy graded cards.
- Before buying, check the market price and price history on Cardometer — a deal that is too good is the most common warning sign.
Cardometer scanner
Take a photo of the card with the Cardometer scanner — we recognise it and show the price and a picture of the genuine card for comparison. The scanner does not confirm authenticity, but it quickly shows whether the number, set and artwork match.
Frequently asked questions
Are fake Pokémon cards legal?
Selling fakes as genuine cards is fraud, and producing them infringes trademarks. Fakes bought unknowingly can usually be returned under the platform’s buyer protection.
Is the rip test a good method?
Tearing a card shows the inner layer but destroys the card. Only do it on cheap duplicates for comparison, never on the card you want to check.
Can an app detect a fake from a photo?
A phone photo does not show card thickness, texture or the inner layer. Apps can catch a wrong number or artwork, but they cannot confirm authenticity.
Where do fakes turn up most often?
In private listings, at fairs, in “mystery” bundles of random cards and in very cheap packs from overseas marketplaces.
What should I do if I bought a fake?
Open a case on the platform where you bought it (buyer protection) and keep photos and messages. If you paid by card or PayPal you can file a chargeback.