A Brief Breakdown of Fraudulent Signature Red Flags

As a memorabilia collector or autograph enthusiast, obtaining a signature from your favourite celebrity or athlete is a thrilling event. However, it can be disheartening to find out that the signature you have obtained is a fake. While this may seem like a rare occurrence, it is, unfortunately, more common than you may think. In this blog post, we will discuss four red flags for fraudulent autographs that you should be aware of.

Suspicious Certificates of Authenticity (COAs)

A COA is a document that guarantees the authenticity of an autograph. Unfortunately, some sellers may attempt to pass off fraudulent autographs with fake COAs. One of the most crucial things to look for is the issuing company. Only trust COAs from reputable authentication companies such as PSA/DNA, JSA, and Beckett Authentication. Be wary of COAs with misspelled names or titles, or those that seem hastily put together. Reputable authenticators tend to use verifiable certification number stickers on the item so one can look up their item on an online database, even without a COA. 

Unfamiliar Autographs

Before purchasing an autograph, it is essential to do your research on the signer's signature. Familiarity with a signer's handwriting can help you spot discrepancies in the signature's shape, size, and flow. A quick search on the internet for a signer's signature can reveal numerous examples to compare with the one you're interested in. Beware of autographs that look too good to be true or appear to be written by different people.

Multiple signatures in the same pen/marker

Of course, some context is important. If an entire baseball team is signing a ball, it's not improbable that they could be sharing the same pen. But how often do you see all the actors who played James Bond in the same room at the same time? Not often. If you see that multiple autographs are signed in the same pen or marker for a group of individuals that likely would not be seen together, this should raise suspicions. Sometimes, you can also see by the pressure of the signature on the item that they're all likely signed by the same hand - which is an obvious red flag. 

Autopen and facsimile autographs

When you're perusing autographs and looking for comparables with the one that you're looking into, stick around for a bit - you may just find one that looks exactly like the one you're looking into. That's because a lot of people who sign frequently (celebrities, politicans, etc.) use autopens to replicate their autograph perfectly to save time. These machines are very good - good enough to trick some authenticators, in fact - but unfortunately don't qualify as genuine signatures. If you happen to see an autograph that looks exactly like the one you're comparing it to, it's likely done with an autopen, or it's printed on (known as a facsimile autograph).

The thrill of obtaining an autograph or rare memorabilia can be delightful and fulfilling. But it is crucial to be vigilant when purchasing autographs to ensure their authenticity. By being aware of the red flags outlined in this blog post, you can make informed choices and safeguard yourself against fake autographs. Remember that if something appears too good to be true, it probably is, so take your time and do your research before you buy. Happy collecting!