Collectors & Dealers.
I want to warn you about the counterfeit graded PSA cards in circulation. I purchased a 1952 Topps Mantle Rookie back in December. I am not a graded card expert. I do more memorabilia. Over the years I noticed the PSA ads and they convinced me that you need to only buy graded cards to protect yourself from cards that are counterfeit or altered. But behind the scenes you have crooks removing cards from PSA holders and replacing them with counterfeit cards. I was amazed when I read the blogs and saw how common this was. Has there ever been a warning from PSA to collectors about the counterfeits. No. How about a warning in SCD. No, because it would be a conflict of interest. Before the purchase, I wanted to make sure I did not make a mistake. I made a call to PSA to ask if the cards were stolen. I wanted to be sure. The rep told me they do not keep such records. So I told the rep that I was buying some very expensive cards and wanted to know what to look for. The rep told me to MAKE SURE THE SERIAL NUMBERS MATCH UP. Well of course they do. I had a few shouting matches with the president of PSA. He told me all about the tamper evident case. (See picture of the1953 Topps graded PSA 8 ad) This 1953 Topps PSA 8 has evidence of tampering around the edge. Lots of graded cards do. I also include a picture of a 1952 Topps ungraded Mantle Counterfeit. Would I spend big money on this? Of course not. I was told to buy only a graded Mantle rookie. The president used the Rolex example. Crooks sell counterfeit Rolex watches. Does Rolex Co. tell you to only buy a graded Rolex. Get my point. I would never buy a Rolex from someone I did not know. Because I trusted the reputation of PSA, I purchased a graded Mantle from someone I did not know. If I would have gotten any kind of warning when calling PSA I would not have made the purchase. All I needed to hear was "We had problems with people tampering with the cases." This scam is much bigger than you may think. You would think that asking about stolen cards would raise a red flag. Unfortunately for me, It did not. My biggest problem is that I needed PSA to act in a professional manner when the average collector calls and is reaching out for help. I have a friend who was looking to buy a similar card on Craigslist. He did not call PSA. He called a National PSA Dealer. Did the Dealer say "MAKE SURE THE SERIAL NUMBERS MATCH". No. The dealer requested a picture of the card and warned my friend not to make the deal. I also have found out that these fake cards have been listed on Craigslist going back to 2005. Are you kidding me? In closing, I feel it is my job to warn others about the scam. We are not all PSA dealers and handle Mickey Mantle Rookies on a daily basis. We put our trust in the professionals. Not anymore.