How to Spot Fake Pokémon Cards in 2025: A Collector’s Guide
The Pokémon TCG scene is booming in 2025, and with that popularity comes one major problem: fakes. Counterfeit Pokémon cards are more convincing than ever. Better printers, shady online sellers, and a growing market of new collectors make it easier for scammers to slip in a few dodgy cards. Whether you're a hardcore collector or just getting started, learning how to spot fake Pokémon cards can save you a lot of money and hassle.
In this guide, we will break down the key signs of fake cards, common scams in the UK, tools you can use to check authenticity, and how to buy safely.
Why It Matters in 2025
Pokémon cards are no longer just nostalgic collectibles, they are serious investments. A mint PSA 10 Charizard can fetch thousands, and even modern cards from new sets like 151 or Temporal Forces can skyrocket in value. That is why scammers are doubling down.
In the last year alone, collectors have seen:
- Fake booster packs flooding eBay UK
- Fake graded cards with poor quality PSA labels
- Some TikTok mystery-pack sellers push counterfeit holographic cards under the guise of real pulls.
Spotting fakes is not just about pride, it is about protecting your wallet and your collection. Imagine spending £150 on a booster box only to find it filled with cheap knockoffs. That is the reality many new collectors face.
Trading is another concern. UK players swap cards at local game stores, events, and online. A fake slipping into your binder can cause awkward situations and damage your reputation. Worse, it can erode trust within the community.
Whether you are chasing vintage grails or the newest chase cards, knowing how to identify fakes is a skill every collector needs in 2025.
The 8 Key Signs of a Fake Pokémon Card
1. Card Stock and Feel
Authentic Pokémon cards are consistent in weight, stiffness, and surface finish across print runs. If a card feels unusually flimsy, plasticky, or rough compared to a known real one, that’s a strong red flag. Fakes are often too flimsy, too glossy, or oddly thick. Try the light test by holding the card up to a strong light. A genuine English Pokémon card usually shows a thin black or dark-blue inner layer, while some collectors report that Japanese or Chinese print runs may show a faint bluish core instead. Counterfeits often miss this detail and show a solid white interior. Because card stock can vary by region, this test should be used alongside other checks, not as absolute proof.
Another trick is the bend test. A real Pokémon card bends slightly and recovers, while many fakes crease or snap more easily. Of course, do not go bending your rare pulls just to test them. Save this for suspicious commons or known counterfeits.
2. Print Quality
Look closely at the details. Genuine cards have clean lines, consistent colours, and sharp text. Fakes often look pixelated, blurry, or have uneven colouring. Pay special attention to the energy symbols and HP numbers, since counterfeiters often get these wrong.
Lighting can expose issues as well. Under bright light, a fake card might appear overly shiny or washed out. Compare with a known real card from the same set if possible. Even subtle differences become obvious when placed side by side.
3. Font and Spelling Errors
It may sound obvious, but this is still one of the easiest giveaways. Many fake cards use incorrect fonts or misaligned text. Look at the Pokémon’s name and attack text. Spacing should be consistent and clean. If it looks squished or stretched, that is a red flag.
And yes, spelling errors still appear in 2025. We have seen everything from “Pokamon” to “Pikatchu.” If the wording looks suspicious, it probably is.
4. Holo Pattern and Shine
One of the most obvious giveaways is the holofoil effect. Fake holo cards often look flat or overly shiny, with a cheap reflective layer. Genuine Pokémon holos have unique patterns that depend on the era and set. For example, older Wizards of the Coast cards feature a starry Galaxy Holo pattern, while modern sets include textured foils. Counterfeit cards usually apply a generic shiny film that fails to capture the depth or texture.
If the holo pattern repeats unnaturally, looks cloudy, or scratches off easily, you are probably holding a fake. Another clue is the way light bounces off the card. Real foils shift subtly under light, while fakes reflect it harshly and unevenly.
5. Set Symbols and Numbering
Every Pokémon card belongs to a set and should display a set symbol and card number such as 45/165. Fakes often make mistakes here. You may find cards with the wrong set symbol, incorrect numbering, or missing details entirely. Some counterfeiters simply add random numbers that do not match the official set list.
When in doubt, compare the card with an official set list on Pokémon’s website or on TCG databases. If the number does not exist or the set symbol is incorrect, the card is not real.
6. Card Size and Corners
Real Pokémon cards are consistent in size and have cleanly rounded corners. Fake cards are often slightly too large, too small, or unevenly cut. You might notice one card sticking out of your binder pages or looking off when stacked with others.
Corners can also reveal fakes. Authentic cards tend to have smooth, precise rounding, while counterfeit ones may show jagged edges, inconsistent curves, or uneven trimming. That said, slight corner variation across different print runs or languages is possible, so use corner checks in combination with other indicators. Fakes may look jagged, too sharp, or overly soft. Even a slight difference is a red flag.
7. Back Design
The card back is one of the easiest areas to check. A real Pokémon card has a deep blue background with crisp outlines and a perfectly centred Poké Ball. Fake cards often fail this test. The blue may look too light or too dark, the Poké Ball might be off-centre, or the outlines could be blurry.
If you compare a suspicious card to a known real one side by side, the difference in colour usually stands out immediately. Collectors often call this the blue test.
8. Graded Cards: Check the Serial
Counterfeiters are now targeting slabs as well. Fake PSA, BGS, and CGC cases are circulating, often with copied labels. To verify, always look up the certification number on the grading company’s official website. The database will show you what card the serial belongs to. If the details do not match, the slab is fake.
Also check the slab itself. Real grading companies use strong, tamper-proof cases. If the plastic feels cheap, the label looks blurry, or the QR code will not scan, avoid it.
Common Fake Card Scams in the UK
The counterfeit market continues to adapt, and in 2025 collectors are seeing new tricks alongside old ones. Here are some of the biggest scams to watch for in the UK.
eBay Bulk Lots
Scammers often sell so-called mystery bundles or 100 card lots at very low prices. These usually contain a mix of real commons and fake holos designed to make the deal look appealing. If you see a listing offering multiple Charizards or secret rares for under £20, it is almost certainly a scam.
TikTok Mystery Packs
Social media sellers are notorious for hyping mystery packs during live streams. While some are genuine, many are filled with counterfeits. Buyers get caught up in the excitement and overlook authenticity checks until it is too late.
AliExpress and Etsy Custom Cards
Any listing claiming ‘custom Pokémon cards’ (beyond what the official game allows) is not selling legitimate TCG cards; these are novelty or fan-made prints and have no official game or collector value. These may look flashy with rainbow foils or unusual artwork, but they are not official and hold no value in the trading card market. They are essentially novelty prints.
Fake Slabs
As card grading grows in popularity, counterfeiters have started producing fake PSA, CGC, and BGS slabs. These can look convincing but the labels are often wrong. Fonts may be slightly off, logos may look strange, or the serial number will not verify online. Some sellers even use 3D printed cases to mimic the real thing.
Pro tip: If the price looks too good to be true, it almost always is.
Tools to Check Card Authenticity
Collectors today have a range of methods and tools to confirm whether a card is genuine.
- Light Test: Hold the card up to a bright light to check for the inner blue core layer that authentic cards contain.
- Magnifying Glass: A jeweller’s loupe or magnifier can reveal pixelation and blurred print details that fake cards often have.
- UV Light: Some real cards react under UV light in subtle ways that counterfeits do not.
- Side by Side Comparison: Keep a known real card from the same set. Lining them up together often reveals obvious differences.
- PSA Serial Lookup: For graded cards, check the certification number on the PSA website at psacard.com/cert. If the card does not match the record, it is a fake.
Collectors also share comparison photos and advice on Reddit’s r/pkmntcg and various Facebook groups. If in doubt, post a photo and ask for a second opinion. The community is quick to flag counterfeits.
Where to Buy Real Pokémon Cards in the UK
The safest way to avoid fakes is to buy from trusted sellers. At Ripperholics, we only stock authentic cards sourced from verified distributors. Every card and sealed product is checked before it reaches your hands.
We offer:
Buying sealed products and graded singles from reputable shops like ours ensures peace of mind and protects your investment. Avoid the temptation of cheap online deals and stick to sellers with a strong reputation.
Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced collectors can sometimes slip up. Here are the most common mistakes that newcomers and even veterans should be aware of in 2025.
- Trusting marketplace bargains: Cheap listings on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or TikTok often include counterfeits mixed with low-value commons.
- Skipping seller research: Always check reviews and feedback scores before buying. A seller with no history or lots of negative reviews is risky.
- Assuming shininess equals value: Just because a card is holographic does not make it rare or real. Many fakes overuse shiny film to trick buyers.
- Falling for “God Packs”: If someone claims every pack contains multiple ultra rares, it is almost guaranteed to be fake.
Staying cautious and slowing down before making purchases can save you from these traps.
TLDR: Real vs Fake Checklist
- Real cards: Consistent texture and weight, sharp print quality, correct fonts, accurate set symbols and numbers, smooth corners, authentic holo patterns, proper blue card back, verifiable graded serials.
- Fake cards: Flimsy or overly thick, blurry printing, spelling errors, wrong or missing set codes, poorly cut corners, cheap shiny film, off-colour backs, invalid slab serials.
When in doubt, compare the card to a known genuine version or stick to graded purchases.
Final Thoughts
Counterfeit Pokémon cards are getting better in 2025, but so are collectors. The more you know, the harder it is for scammers to succeed. Protecting your collection starts with being able to identify the warning signs quickly.
If you want total peace of mind, browse our collection of graded Pokémon cards and sealed products. Every item is verified authentic, so you can focus on collecting, not worrying.
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Got questions or think you have spotted a fake? Message us or tag @ripperholics on Instagram and we will help you out.