Print
This List
Email to
a Friend
Memorabilia - Valuable Keepsake or Scam?
INTERESTING 
Tags: Memorabilia, memorabilia scams, scams, crime, crime prevention
One of the most exciting things can be owning a baseball or jersey from signed by your favorite player. Beware, some of these items may not be authentic. Here are some tips to help you get the real deal.
| | Try to get the signatures in person--either at an event where they're performing or at an event where they're signing. |
| | Buy from companies that get witnessed-based signings and that document the authenticity. Major League Baseball, for example, has a program that uses Deloitte and Touche as the witnessing agent with tamper-proof holograms affixed to items that are uniquely numbered and tracked in a database. The point is that these programs establish a chain of custody that ensures you're getting what you want...and guarantees its value. Many companies offer this program, you just have to ask. |
| | If options one and two are not possible, aggressively question the seller about the exact history of the item you want to buy...and be completely comfortable that you are dealing with an honest broker. We've talked to a lot of convicted forgers and they say that they really don't like being asked to explain the provenance of their forgeries. ALWAYS ASK FOR A MONEY BACK GUARANTEE AND A RECEIPT. |
| | Get your items evaluated by professional authenticators. And we don't mean the bogus authenticators that convicted forgers set up to hide behind. Even independent, legitimate authenticators can be fooled from time to time, but they are your best bet to keep from being cheated. |
| | but not least--and you know this: If the price is too good to be true, your treasure is probably a forgery. Like those three baseballs we found "autographed" by Mother Teresa.... |
Lister:
Andrea
Source:
FBI
Other lists of interest:
This list not rated yet – be the first to rate it