I know you said very specifically not to say generically "Do your Homework" So how about I suggest the type of homework you should do based on how a number of cards that Chris and other members here and on other collectors boards "found out" that Certified Autographed cards were first being counterfeit and then Forged signatures were being applied.
I put together a display of Certified Autographed Modern 500 HR Hitters a few years ago and I routinely buy and sell Certified autographed cards from Topps, Donruss, Upper Deck, etc. So if I am considering a card one of the first things I do is look at previous sales in ebay. I am looking to guage current price and to see uf a large number of the card has recently come to market and if one or a small group of sellers is selling them. Because that is a RED FLAG!!. I then compare older sales to current ones to see if the cards and the signatures match up. I will also look at other cards of that same player to see if the Auto's match up or if there is a glut of any of their certified autographed cards. And understand this process works for Autographs of all sports. Because fakes have been created in All Sports. I might also do a quick google search on the card to see if anybody has posted any red flags. And last I would post a picture of the card here and ask for help if I still needed it.
Hope this helps
Jonathan
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