How to Spot a Fake Graded Slab

As graded cards have grown in value, so have counterfeit slabs — real-looking cases holding fake or over-graded cards. Here's how to protect yourself.

Start with the certification number

Every genuine slab carries a unique certification number. The most reliable check is to verify that number against the grading company's records and confirm the card, grade and details match what you're looking at. A slab whose cert number doesn't exist, or describes a different card, is a red flag full stop. On a marketplace where each graded card links its cert to a verifiable Digital Passport, this check is built into the listing — you confirm before you ever pay.

Inspect the label and case

• Label quality. Genuine labels have crisp, consistent fonts and clean printing. Blurry text, wrong fonts, or misaligned layout suggest a fake.
• Holograms and security features. Modern slabs use holographic elements and other anti-counterfeit features; compare against a known-genuine example.
• Case construction. Authentic cases are cleanly sealed with consistent seams. Glue marks, mismatched halves, or a case that looks re-opened are warning signs of a "cracked and swapped" slab.

Watch for over-grading and tampering

Some fakes aren't counterfeit cases at all — they're genuine cases that have been opened and had the card swapped, or self-made slabs mimicking a brand. If a deal looks too good for the grade, be sceptical. Cross-check the card's appearance against the grade: a "gem-mint 10" with visible whitening or off-centre borders doesn't add up. When in doubt, walk away — a real bargain will still be a bargain after you've verified it.

Frequently asked questions

Related: Best place to buy graded cards · How to read a PSA population report · Buy graded cards · Why authenticity matters in collectibles