Many people love to collect Pokemon cards. Unfortunately, there are scam artists out there selling fake cards to enthusiastic collectors. However, these fake cards are not really that same as the original ones. The Mewtew card on the right is an example of an original card.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Is Everything the Way It Should Be?
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the different Pokemon species
Sometimes the fake card images depict creatures that aren't even Pokemon, such as Digimon or animals. Be wary of those cards whose image is weird or if it has a sticker.
Step 2. Check the attacks and HP
If the HP is above 500 or the attacks are not present then the card is definitely a fake. Furthermore, if it says PS 90 instead of PS 90 then it is a fake because the original cards only wrote PS 90 and not vice versa.
However, some original cards may have misprints, such as reverse names and characteristics. In this case, further investigation is necessary, because an original paper with misprints could be valuable
Step 3. Check for possible spelling errors, strange outlines around the Pokemon image, or the cup that contains the energy
Step 4. Compare the energy symbol with other cards
Many fake cards have larger energy symbols, distorted or with different distances from each other.
Step 5. Check the text
On fake cards the text is usually slightly smaller and has a different font.
Step 6. Check the value of weakness and resistance and the cost of the withdrawal
The maximum bonus that can be added or subtracted from weakness and resistance is +/- 40, unless the weakness is double. The cost of the withdrawal cannot be greater than 4.
Step 7. Check the card box
If it is a fake, the box will have no official symbols and it will say something like "Collector cards preview". It will also be made with a poor cardboard, without the standard packaging.
Step 8. Look carefully at the spelling on the cards
In the fakes there are most likely various spelling errors, such as wrong names, lack of accents, moves or misspelled values etc.
Step 9. If this is a first edition, look at the circular symbol in the lower left corner of the image
Sometimes (especially for the core set) people make cards with their own custom first edition symbol. How can you tell the difference? First of all, a fake symbol is generally more imperfect and there may be some ink stains. Secondly, a fake symbol comes off very easily if you try to scratch it.
Method 2 of 4: Colors
Step 1. Check if the colors are discolored, imperfect, too dark or just plain inaccurate (watch out for Shining Pokemon
These rare Pokemon are the wrong color on purpose). The chances that the card was printed incorrectly are next to zero, so it is most likely a fake.
Step 2. Check the back of the card
On fake cards, the swirling blue pattern is often purple in color. Also sometimes the Poke Ball is reversed (on the original cards the red part is at the top).
Method 3 of 4: Dimensions and Weight
Step 1. Check the card
A fake card is usually thinner and more inconsistent, and if you put it against the light it could become almost transparent. Some fake cards, on the other hand, are too stiff and even shiny. Also, if the card is the wrong size it is a fake. Different materials deteriorate differently, so if you come across a very old paper check the corners and make sure there is no unusual damage. Furthermore, fake cards often do not have the copyright date or the illustrator's name at the bottom of the card.
Step 2. Help yourself with another card
Compare the two cards and check the size, angles, central image and colors in general.
Step 3. Bend it slightly
If it folds very easily, it is a fake. The original cards are quite stiff.
Method 4 of 4: Take a Test
Step 1. If you are convinced that the card is fake, tear off a small part
Do the same thing with an old Pokemon card that you no longer use. Compare how you ripped the two cards. If the fake one tore off faster then it is undoubtedly a fake.
Step 2. A quick way to see if the Pokemon card is genuine or fake is to check the edges
The original cards have a very thin black layer inside the cardstock. It is very thin but up close you can see the darker part between the two halves of the card. They don't have fake cards.
Advice
- Unless the card is obviously fake, don't immediately assume it's a scam. Do all necessary inspections first.
- When you buy cards bring some original cards with you so that you can compare them.
- The original cards usually have the illustrator's name in the lower left corner. If the name is not present then the card is probably fake.
- If you find a powerful or rare card in a cheap or novice deck, chances are it's fake.
- If a Pokemon's name is different from what it appears on the Pokedex (for example “Webarak” instead of “Spinarak”) the card may be fake.
- Remember that this is not only true when buying cards, but also when trading.
- Remember to check the name of the Pokemon and its level: it is usually NAME, PS (80) (eg Pikachu PS 80).
- Get to know Pokemon well so you can instantly recognize when a card is fake.
- Buy sealed decks instead of buying individual cards.
- Pokemon cards with a thin film or in boxes with random images of the cartoon are fake and are often found at flea markets, at unofficial collectors' meetings or at street vendors.
- Original booster packs (and often decks and other goodies) are often sold with a two-card promo card or POP (Pokémon Organized Play). Promotional cards are original, but they are old and often not valid in official card games.
- Do not use unofficial Pokemon websites.
- All original cards have a similar and unique back which is not found on fake cards. When gaining experience with Pokemon cards, checking the back will be enough to tell if a card is genuine or fake.
- If you find a fake Pokemon card, contact the dealer immediately.
Warnings
- The hardest cards to analyze are the energy cards. Check them carefully, especially the symbols on the sphere of the element. Compare with original papers. If there are any differences, such as the points of the stars, it is certainly a fake.
- On ALMOST ALL Pokemon cards there are no attacks, even if they are original cards, always keep this in mind.
- Not all of these criteria are suitable for all fake cards. Some people are able to make fake cards very similar to the original ones. Always buy your cards from a trusted seller.
- Booster cards aren't always safe, there are in fact many fake versions out there.
