How to Spot Fake Pokémon Cards: A UK Buyer's Guide

Counterfeit Pokémon cards have been around since the game began, and they are getting better. ICv2, reporting PSA's fraud report in May 2026, said the number of Pokémon TCG counterfeits submitted to PSA rose by more than 125% year on year. The checks below catch most fakes sold loose, in bulk lots and in "too good to be true" listings. For an expensive card, still get a second opinion.

How can you tell if a Pokémon card is fake?

Look at the edge first: genuine cards have a thin black or dark grey core layer visible side-on. Then check the back is a deep, dark blue, the text has the é in Pokémon and no spelling errors, the symbols and fonts match a genuine card, and the card measures 63 x 88 mm.

1. 1.

   1. Look at the edge for the black core

   Bulbapedia explains that real cards generally have three or four layers: the front, the back, a black middle layer and, on some cards, a holofoil layer. Fakes are more cheaply made and lack the black layer. You do not need to rip the card: look closely at the edge side-on under a bright light, ideally with a magnifier, for a thin dark line between the two white faces.

2. 2.

   2. Check the back colour and print

   The back border of a real card is a deep, dark blue. Bulbapedia is blunt: "if a card has a pale blue background, it's definitely a fake." Compare it with a common card you know is genuine. Blurry swirls or a washed-out Poké Ball are warning signs.

3. 3.

   3. Read the text

   Bulbapedia lists common errors on fakes: a missing accented "é" in "Pokémon", misnamed Pokémon, misspelled illustrator names, and impossible numbers such as an attack doing 1000 damage or a Magneton with 800 HP.

4. 4.

   4. Compare the symbols and fonts

   Energy symbols on fakes are often the wrong size, design or position, and fonts may be inconsistent. Put the card next to a genuine card from the same set and compare them side by side.

5. 5.

   5. Measure it

   Standard Pokémon cards are 63 mm wide and 88 mm tall. JustInBasil notes that fakes are often slightly smaller, so compare against a genuine card such as a basic Energy (jumbo and box-topper cards are exceptions).

6. 6.

   6. Tilt the holo and feel the texture

   Genuine holo patterns shift and have depth. JustInBasil says fakes from recent sets "tend to have a very simple almost flat holo", and that real textured cards have texture throughout the holo, while fakes may print a texture pattern on that does not catch the light properly.

Tests to avoid

• The light test. Holding a card up to a torch is widely recommended, but Bulbapedia calls it "a very unreliable method", because what you see depends on how bright the light is and how close you hold it.
• The rip test. Tearing a card shows whether it has a black core, but it destroys the card. The edge check gives you the same information without the damage.
• Weight alone. Wargamer gives genuine cards as weighing 1.8 to 2 grams but says most modern fakes match that weight, so a scale will not settle it.

What are the red flags in a Pokémon card listing?

Be wary of lots made up only of ultra rares, titles with words like proxy, replica, custom or orica, stock photos instead of the real card, a back that is never shown, a price far below other sellers, and any request to pay outside the platform, which removes your buyer protection.

• A lot or "box" of nothing but ultra rares, GX, EX or V cards. JustInBasil says boxes full of chase cards "are guaranteed to be fake".
• Words like proxy, replica, custom, orica or flash cards in the title or small print.
• Stock photos instead of photos of the actual card, or photos where the back is never shown.
• A price far below what the same card sells for elsewhere, especially for vintage holos or chase cards.
• A seller who asks you to pay outside the platform, by bank transfer or by "friends and family", which removes your buyer protection.

How do you spot a resealed booster pack or box?

A resealed pack has been opened, emptied of its valuable cards and closed again. Check that the top and bottom crimps are even and neat, with no glue, tears or loose foil, and compare a box's shrink wrap with an established retailer's photos. These are practical checks rather than guarantees:

• Booster packs: look at the top and bottom crimps. They should be even and neat along their full width. Wavy, flattened or glued crimps, tears near the seal and loose, crinkled foil are warning signs. A collector on Elite Fourum noted that resealing is easy to tell on old packs, "since the crimps get ironed out".
• Booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes and collection boxes: compare the shrink wrap with photos of the same product from an established retailer. Loose, bunched or messy wrap, extra seams, or crushed corners under the wrap deserve a closer look.
• Weighed packs: some people weigh packs to guess which contain a holo. Even a shop that sells weighed packs says weight "cannot detect non-holo chase cards". A "heavy" pack listing is a reason for caution, not confidence.

How do you check a graded slab is real?

Counterfeit slabs and labels exist. Use the grader's own online certificate check (PSA has a cert lookup; Beckett prints a QR code on new labels) and make sure the card, set and grade match the slab in front of you. Be wary of a slab whose label looks reprinted, whose case looks prised open, or whose certificate number returns a different card. Our grading guide lists the main UK and international graders.

What are your rights if you buy a fake card in the UK?

If a UK trader sells you a fake, Citizens Advice says you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of paying. After that, card chargebacks, section 75 for credit-card purchases of £100 to £30,000, PayPal disputes and the eBay Money Back Guarantee give further routes. Private sales carry narrower rights.

Selling goods bearing a sign identical to, or likely to be mistaken for, a registered trade mark without the owner's consent can be a criminal offence under section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994, punishable on indictment by up to ten years in prison, a fine, or both. As a buyer, Citizens Advice says:

• You are legally entitled to a full refund on fake goods within 30 days of paying.
• Between 30 days and 6 months, the seller can offer a genuine replacement; if they cannot, you should get a refund.
• If you paid by debit card, ask your bank about the chargeback scheme. On a credit card, use chargeback for items under £100 or a section 75 claim for items costing £100 to £30,000.
• If you paid with PayPal, raise a dispute within 180 days of paying.
• To report a seller, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), which can pass complaints to Trading Standards. Trading Standards may act against the seller but cannot get your money back.

This is general information, not legal advice. Citizens Advice's guidance is about buying from traders. If you bought from a private individual, your rights are narrower, so the platform's own protection matters more:

• eBay UK: counterfeit items are not allowed. Under the eBay Money Back Guarantee you have 30 days from delivery to request a return for most purchases. Where there are strong indicators an item is counterfeit, eBay says you may not have to post it back, but you must not resell it.
• eBay Authenticity Guarantee: single cards listed at £250 or more (excluding postage) can be checked by PSA before they reach you.
• In-person sales: check the card under good light before you hand over money. You will have little comeback afterwards.

How we sell cards

Every card in our singles shop and our graded range is photographed as sold, so the card in the photos is the card you receive and you can check it before you buy. If you have a question about a card, or think something you bought from us is not genuine, contact us; our returns page explains your rights. If you are selling a collection, you can send it to us through sell your cards.