FORGERIES on EBAY: Things to Look for Before Bidding
by Sue Hooven
Feedback: Good feedback doesn't mean much. If a seller has poor feedback, chances are it's related to shipping (slowness or poor packaging) or non fraud issues. It's rare to see "forgery" on there as a reason for bad feedback because 1) People are afraid of retaliatory feedback 2) most leave feedback immediately based on speediness of service, good packaging and a good deal and often do not find out the item is a forgery till MUCH later 3) People don't know they are buying forgeries and are clueless if what they are buying is legit; all they see is something they want and don't know how to check if it's forged or not. In essence, a person can have a thousand (and 100%) feedbacks and it's possible ALL of the items from that seller are forgeries. So never base your decision on feedback alone.
Be careful of Dealers with lots of inventory from same people etc. Most celebrities can't sign a dozen per person. Especially A list celebrities who do not sign by mail or who do not do conventions. People like Marlon Brando (when he was alive), Al Pacino etc can't sign thousands a year, but yes, there are that many on Ebay. It's just not possible. So if you see a dealer with lots of items by the same people, chances are it's an unlikely thing. So do not base your decision on that alone. It may be possible some did get a few... but you need to investigate first to find out if it was possible!
Beware of dealers selling scripts, posters, and Sports Memorabilia. These three areas are the most forged areas. However, a big increase in A list celebs and popular films like Star Wars are forged quite heavily as well. The more popular it is, the more likely someone will forge it because that's where the money is. Multi-signed scripts and posters are widely forged. For ever 1000 on Ebay, there might be 5 good ones.
Prices do not matter: Many items sell for hundreds and yes, THOUSANDS of dollars that are forgeries. Conversely, because the auctions are riddled with fakes and people cannot tell a genuine signature from a fake one, good items often go unnoticed. Most sellers list at different values and oftentimes, people think because something starts at a high bid or has a reserve, it MUST be good. Not so. That is a ploy to lure people.
Read carefully Words to watch for that are no-no's are: Preprint, Reprint, Print and Copy. Other things like "signed in person" and such are also irrelevant. You will need to ask the seller questions. Oftentimes sellers will say that because they bought it from someone who said they got it in person. They themselves may not have. Ask Questions of the dealer.
Ask Questions before auction ends Questions like "where (city, state and venue) did you get this?" "When did you get this (Date)"? What is the story behind this (anything you can tell me extra about the item?" "Do you have a COA? If so, will it contain a money back guarantee that you will sign and provide your name, address, phone number etc? "Is this a preprint?" "Autopen?" "Secretarial?" "Is this officially licensed?"
Beware of Private Auctions Sellers don't really have a good reason to have private auctions. One reason they claim to hold them is that other dealers contact their bidders and offer them "better deals". This rarely happens and is against auction rules. Violators of this can be kicked off Auction sites. Also, if such a thing did happen, then the seller is allowed a credit for "non paying bidder" and also can leave bad feedback. So there's no reason for having a Private Auction. Conversely, most dealers have Private Auctions so that people contact bidders to tell them the items are forgeries. So this is a very important thing to watch for.
Beware of Private Feedback There is NO reason to have private feedback unless there is something to hide! Stay clear from all dealers with private feedback!
Watch out for small photos, duplicates etc: If you find an item and the signatures are not clear, too small etc, ask for larger scans. If none is given, don't bid on the item. A good dealer will email you a scan. Also, if you note several items the person is selling and the signatures are the same, ask them for the EXACT scan of the item you will get. Sometimes dealers put one photo up for several auctions and what you see is not necessarily what you will get.
Certificates of Authenticity don't mean much: Many offer COA's. Here are the problems with COA's: Though a signed COA is legally binding, it is too difficult to collect from a seller who is a forger or who isn't honest. First, they are most likely in different states and it's difficult to prosecute from far away; small claims court is unlikely too and proof is needed. 2) Proof is a difficult thing in autograph selling/buying. If a COA only says "if found to be a forgery", you will NEVER get a refund because you can't prove it. Looks for COA's that say "UNCONDITIONAL" money back guarantee. However, realize that even unconditional will be hard to collect from on some dealers. Look for time limits. Some say 30 days, 6 months, one year or lifetime. It may take you months or longer to figure out it was a forgery. On the COA ask they put: Name, address, phone number, email, and that they sign it in their handwriting. Ask for specifics on the COA's and remember above all that COA's are pretty much worthless, but best if you can get one with all that on there for a slim chance of recovery should things go wrong.
Check dealers reputations: Google the persons ID, email address or company names. See if someone has put up a webpage about their experiences with the dealer. Check places like the UACC Hall of Shame, The Xlist and the watch list which are all located here, Also check www.Ebayersthatsuck.com and search for potential problems.
Watch for Ebay ID changes: Though ID changes can be valid, other reasons to have more than one ID change is because of poor feedback, or to be evasive. Check an Ebay ID history for the dealer before bidding and if many, go back to some of the old ID's and see if you can't find the feedback ratings and what they were selling. This will guide you or give you a feeling about the dealer in question.
UACC doesn't mean everything, but it counts. UACC registered dealers have to abide by a code of ethics or can be expelled. But some people profess to be UACC dealers and aren't. So contact the UACC to ask if they are indeed a registered member (and not a fictitious or expelled one).
Beware of copyright violations Copies, reprints etc Most items on Ebay are in copyright violation. It is unlawful to sell or reproduce for profit or sale most items like press kits, lobby cards, posters, any agency headshots, photos etc. A license must be acquired and a movement is on to prosecute individuals violating this. Eventually, it could lead to the buyer as well. Liken it to stolen goods. A person can be legally held responsible for "receipt of stolen goods" by law and go to jail! The autograph area is no different. So be aware of this before purchasing products on Ebay.
WHAT DO I DO IF I PURCHASED A FORGERY OR
ILLEGAL COPYRIGHTED ITEM?
It can be very frustrating to find out that you have been scammed and to watch
the scammers continue to make money off other victims but taking the following
steps WILL help stop forgeries so take heart your voice will make a difference
and there is a chance you can get your money back. If you can take all the
following steps:
1) Immediately contact the police and file a
report. Your local police department is required to take the report and they
will be forwarded to the district of the seller. DO NOT let the police
department tell you only to report it to EBay because Ebay does not have the
authority to press criminal charges. If criminal charges are brought the seller
may be required to pay restitution and refund all the victims money. A criminal
court order can NOT be bankrupted so it is a legal judgment that the convicted
criminal is required to pay.
2) After filing a police report then report the
incident to EBay’s Fraud Department and submit the police report number.
3) Leave negative feedback on the seller to warn
other buyers.
4) Contact the studio and celebrity and provide
the police report number.
5) Contact Pay Pal or your Credit Card and
initiate a dispute to get your money back.
Finally, in your letters to the studios and celebrities formally request
that they implement a forgery prevention program. The FBI has suggested
a forgery prevention program to the studios and celebrities using a
tamperproof holographic label and it will virtually SHUT DOWN forgeries
and illegal copies. It only costs a few pennies but the studios and celebrities
are waiting for the public to show interest in forgery prevention so your voice
definitely makes a difference.
To Contact the CELEBRITIES regarding forgeries address to:
Screen Actors Guild
Forgery Prevention
Alan Rosenberg; President
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036-3600
FAX NUMBER: (323) 549-6677
FBI Contact Information:
Forgery Program is called Operation Bullpen
san.diego@ic.fbi.gov
Telephone: (858) 565-1255
Here is the contact information for the studios:
Make sure to address to the LEGAL DEPARTMENTS:
STUDIOS
DREAMWORKS SKG
www.dreamworks.com
1000 Flower St.
Glendale, CA 91201
Phone 818-695-5000
METRO GOLDWYN MAYER (MGM)
www.mgm.com
10250 Constellation Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone 310-449-3000
MIRAMAX FILMS (LA)
www.miramax.com
8439 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone 323-822-4100
MIRAMAX FILMS (NY)
www.miramax.com
375 Greenwich St.
New York, NY 10013-2338
Phone 212-941-3800
NEW LINE CINEMA (LA)
www.newlinecinema.com
116 N. Robertson, Ste. 400
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone 310-854-5811
NEW LINE CINEMA (NY)
www.newlinecinema.com
888 Seventh Ave., 20th Fl.
New York, NY 10106
Phone 212-649-4900
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
www.paramount.com
5555 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038-3197
Phone 323-956-5000
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
www.sony.com
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232-3195
Phone 310-244-4000
TURNER ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
www.turner.com
1050 Techwood Dr. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318-5604
Phone 404-827-1500
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
www.fox.com
10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone 310-369-1000
UNIVERSAL
www.universalstudios.com
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Phone 818-777-1000
VIACOM ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (LA)
www.viacom.com
5555 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone 323-956-5000
WALT DISNEY COMPANY, THE
www.disney.com
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521
Phone 818-560-1000
WARNER BROS. STUDIOS
www.warnerbros.com
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
Phone 818-954-6000
NETWORKS
ABC ENTERTAINMENT
www.abc.com 500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521
Phone 818-460-7777
CBS ENTERTAINMENT
www.cbs.com 7800 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2188
Phone 323-575-2345
COMEDY CENTRAL
www.comedycentral.com
1775 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Phone 212-767-8600
FOX
www.fox.com
10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone 310-369-1000
HBO (LA)
www.hbo.com
2049 Century Park East, Ste. 3600
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone 310-201-9200
HBO (NY)
www.hbo.com
1100 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone 212-512-1000
MTV NETWORKS (LA)
www.mtv.com
2600 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone 310-752-8000
MTV NETWORKS (NY)
www.mtv.com
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Phone 212-258-8000
NBC ENTERTAINMENT
www.nbc.com
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523-0001
Phone 818-840-4444
NICKELODEON/NICK AT NITE/TV LAND
www.nickatnitestvland.com/
1515 Broadway, 38th Fl.
New York, NY 10036
Phone 212-258-7500
PBS
1320 Braddock Place
www.pbs.org
Alexandria, VA 22314-1698
Phone 703-739-5000
SHOWTIME NETWORKS, INC. (LA)
www.sho.com
10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1600
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone 310-234-5200