PSA Fraud Report Identifies 400% Increase in Altered Pokemon Cards

He seems to be saying that the main problem is the rise of counterfeits, did not mention card altering

Even though you can´t evolve into Machamp?

I didnt watch the video, but it doesnt surprise me. Assuming you can produce a fairly good fake, you can print them en masse, by the thousands (or more). Altered cards arent anywhere near that level of production and likely wont ever be. There were (are) some scary good fake van goghs coming out of China. I believe the report mentioned Van Gogh pikas at one point as one of the higher volume fakes being sent.

In person its easier to tell, but online its a minefield at times trying to find real copies

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It sucks! I also hate how machokes back sprite looks :smiling_face_with_tear:
image

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i mean they probably also have a 400% increase in submissions as well so i dont see why fraud wouldnt go up with it

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I also want to add that PokeMarsh bragged about successfully altering a PSA 7 Gold Star Pikachu into a PSA 10 (and allegedly other cards as well).

See below (clipped from one of his videos)

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This makes me worry that PSA is patting themselves on the back for identifying counterfeit cards, while missing alterations at astounding levels. :melting_face:

As a vintage collector, I have zero concern with counterfeits. They are very easy to discern. I am, however, concerned about alterations that seem to be largely undetected.

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I’m confident I [unknowingly] bought a cleaned Jp base holo that was a 9 cert, mid 2024. Ever since, I’ve been cautious of any vintage holos graded 10x certs or after.

I’ve noticed the amount of new collectors that are fine with cleaning/altering is somewhat high during this boom. It’s sad.

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It is absurd how easily you can find droves of people that think its great in YouTube and Instagram comments on anything related to graded cards

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Why is that MJ card so hot? What makes it special?

86 fleer is MJ’s rookie card, definitely a “grail” for basketball card collectors. Since it’s not holo, it technically is easier to counterfeit. There are a lot of little details the counterfeits get wrong however.

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Protect Honus Wagner at all costs.

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Michael Jordan Fleer Rookie

Premier rookie cards are almost always the most valuable

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I see a lot of normalization of “repairing” cards, and very little push back from creators and/or important voices. Their silence can easily be interpreted as an endorsement. Platforms and algorithms also seem to push this content, forming another pillar of it’s normalization. Of course, it’s only because the content itself is more interesting/captivating/engaging than most other forms of Pokémon card content.

Makes me wonder if the purists (I don’t know what to call the group who want none of this alteration) aren’t already in the minority and the suckers holding on to their morality/ethics. I don’t actually think we are, but this is the perception produced by alteration content being abundant (and cheered on by their communities).