As many of you know, there are plenty of fake autographs out on the market these days. It's clearly a problem and collectors need to educate themselves and take certain precautions in order to limit the chances of getting bad ones.

So here are my suggestions:

1. See a Scan or Photo First
   If you always demand to see a scan before you buy or trade, you will have a more realisitic expectation and  better avoid the chance of being disappointed when the item comes. If the other person has no scanner or their scanner is broken (or whatever other reason), I'd strongly suggest passing on the item. This is why I am not a fan of blind trades, it is important for me to know what I am getting.
   
   Sellers of autographs should always provide a clear scan or photo of the item ahead of time to prevent issues. Even though I don't personally sell autographs, I can tell you all just how important this is.
   
   
2. Compare it to Authentic Examples
   One of the great parts about the internet is all the great resources (like SCN) available to collectors.
   
   I know many collectors are not fans of the recent explosion of autographs inserted into packs of cards, but they are pretty easily found and can provide a very good point of contrast. 
   
   
3. Gather Reliable References
   Knowing a person's track record is incredibly important for determining trust.
   
   We have two ways to check out a member on SCN:
    - As part of each member's profile, they have a trader rating. If that member has made trades/transactions using the SCN Trade Manager, then other members may have left feedback for him/her.
    - For all of you premium subscribers, you can certainly look on our Member References message board as a first step to checking out someone in the SCN community.
   
   Ebay Feedback is less than completely reliable when it comes to autographs. I have seen many times people with exceptional feedback selling very suspect items.
   
   
4. Get Opinions of Others
   I will be the first tell everyone I am not an expert in identifying real and fake autographs. I am not qualified, and in many cases just not familiar enough with many people's signatures. 
   
   This is where the power of community can really help you. On many occasions I have asked for help on our Autographs Opinions Message Board before considering moving forward. We have an extremely knowledgeable and passionate group who usually have been enthusiatic to help out other members with this.
   
   
5. Ask Questions
   If you are buying or trading for an autograph, find out all you can from the current owner about the item. The most important one for me is how was it obtained. By mail, in person, bought, traded, etc. If acquired by purchase or trade, from what person and when.
   
   
6. Be Conservative
   Safer is better. If something sounds too good to be true, than it usually is too good to be true. I can't tell you all how many times I have resisted the urge to get a potentially great deal just because I was happy with one the suggestions listed above.

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