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Spotting Fakes

The bootleg industry is real. Here's how to protect yourself and your collection.

Fake photocards

  • Paper quality — authentic cards use thick semi-glossy cardstock. Fakes are thinner, lighter, feel papery
  • Print quality — hold at angle under light. Real cards have crisp printing, accurate skin tones. Fakes show dot patterns, blurred text, oversaturated colors
  • Weight — official cards weigh 1.8-2.2g consistently. Lighter = likely fake
  • Texture — real cards have slight resistance when rubbed. Fakes feel slippery
  • Back markings — check font sizes, alignment, copyright text. Fakes often have wrong font weight
  • Holograms — real ones shift color dynamically under light. Fakes are static or poorly replicated
  • Corners — industrial-cut rounded corners vs hand-cut irregularities
  • Camera test — photograph under different lighting. Printing inconsistencies reveal fakes

Fake albums

  • Packaging — authentic albums have precise, tight packaging. Fakes have off alignment, thinner cardboard, blurry printing
  • Inclusions — count and type should match official tracklist. Missing items = repack
  • QR codes — newer albums have QR codes for digital content. Fake albums have non-functional QR codes
  • Weight — authentic albums have consistent weight. Lighter than expected = contents missing or reprinted
  • Sealing — each label has a specific sealing method. Learn your label's style

Fake lightsticks

  • Bluetooth — official lightsticks connect to venue systems and companion apps. Fakes don't connect or have unstable connection
  • Build quality — official ones are heavier, brighter, responsive buttons. Fakes feel hollow with sticky buttons
  • Logo — crisp embossing or printing on official. Fuzzy logos and misspellings on fakes
  • Battery compartment — check official specs. Wrong battery type or design = fake

Trusted vs scam sellers

Not all sellers are equal. Here's how to tell them apart.

  • Green flags: established account with trade history, proof photos with username + timestamp, PayPal G&S, references, ships with tracking
  • Red flags: new account, prices too good to be true, PayPal F&F only, refuses additional photos, pressures quick payment, stock photos, no tracking
  • If a $200 card is listed for $30, it's fake. No exceptions
  • Search community scammer lists before buying from anyone new
  • When in doubt, post to collector forums for authentication