Before you pay, check this
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Ask for real photos, not stock images
Photos of the actual card, front and back, in good light. If it's
graded, make sure the label with the certification number is
visible.
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Verify the certification if it's a graded card
With the certification number you can confirm the grade in the
official database and check it hasn't been reported as stolen.
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Check the seller's profile and reviews
Account age, number of sales and feedback. A long history with
good reviews lowers the risk.
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Always pay through the platform
Use the protected payment system on eBay, Vinted, Wallapop or
Cardmarket. Never a direct transfer outside the platform: you lose
all protection.
Red flags
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A price that's too good to be true
A card well below its market value is the most common red flag. It
could be a counterfeit, a stolen card, or an outright scam.
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Rush or pressure to close fast
"I've got another buyer", "today only". Urgency is meant to make
you pay before you check anything.
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Refuses to give the certification number
On a graded card, that number isn't sensitive information. If they
won't share it, ask yourself why.
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Wants to take you off the platform
Asking you to pay by direct transfer or crypto outside the app is
the most common way to avoid any later dispute.
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Tip
No single check is foolproof, but together they cut your risk a lot.
The more expensive the card, the more sense it makes to spend a few
minutes on them.
Buying a graded card?
Use its certification number to check if it's been reported as stolen before you pay.
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