Autograph fraud is the biggest threat facing the memorabilia industry.
Autograph forgers prey on unwary fans, callously exploiting their passion for their heroes.
Imagine spending good money on a signed photograph of your favourite sports star, only to find out the autograph is fake and worth no more than the paper it is printed on.
And unfortunately autograph fraud is on the increase.
In 2000, an FBI Investigation called Operation Bullpen revealed the extent of memorabilia fraud in the USA.
Twenty six arrests were made and agents seized $500,000 in cash and a staggering $10 million worth of forged memorabilia.
They estimated that over half of all signed sports memorabilia sold in the USA is fake.
Now it seems that UK forgers are catching up with an increasing amount of fake memorabilia coming onto the market.
The internet auction site, eBay, has now become a haven for forgeries.
As eBay do nothing to verify the authenticity of items on the site, rogue sellers can sell their wares completely un-checked.
Many have high feedback ratings, giving buyers confidence in them, but this only indicates good customer service.
The unwitting customers are not autograph experts and do not know they have bought fake items.
There are also a number of well-known memorabilia companies selling blatantly fake memorabilia.
Some have directors with criminal convictions, whilst others are currently being investigated by Trading Standards.
These companies have internet sites, brochures and even high-street shops yet still sell very obvious forgeries.
Many of you reading this will already be the victims of memorabilia fraud.
Ask yourself, 'How do I know the autograph I bought is genuine?'
Were you there when it was signed?
If not, what solid proof do you have that it is authentic?
THIS IS WHERE WE CAN HELP!