How to spot fake CGC Cards slabs

Certified Guaranty Company, Cards. Text-only guide, no grader logos. Every tell links to its public source.

Community and public-source information only. This is not an authentication. Slab Watch is independent and not affiliated with PCGS, NGC, PSA, Beckett (BGS), SGC, CGC or any grading service. Always verify on the grader's official site and contact the grader directly.

Step 1: official cert lookup

https://www.cgccards.com/certlookup/

Type this address yourself. A matching cert is step one, not proof.

Reported tells

Lookup with CGC images

CGC says the lookup confirms description and grade and shows CGC's own images of the holdered card.

Source

QR on back of label

CGC says you can scan the QR code on the back of the label with your phone; confirm it opens cgccards.com.

Source

Case & label

Compare fonts, label stock and seams to a known-genuine slab of the same era; look for glue or uneven seams.

Source

Alerts for CGC Cards

CGC Cards: lookup shows CGC's own images of the holdered card (Published by grader)

Run the card checklist Report a suspected fake CGC Cards slab