preventing switched cards in holders

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Posted By: Hankron 

I haven't been fully appraised of what went on with the PSA holders. I will, however, note that there are variety of effective methods to mark or scientifically record cards to make it definitive to identify when a card has been switched or otherwise replaced with another. Some of the methods do not even do not add a substance to the card, but record the card in special optical ways for later comparison. The best marking methods are tamperproof and counterfeit proof. Some of these methods are already used in the fine arts, jewelry and even for industrial and scientific uses. I personally have used the optical recording methods for cataloging rare unique jewelry and photographs.

So if this was deemed a serious problem, a grading company could fix it, and the issue wouldn't exist anymore. Simple as that.

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Posted By: petecld

I don't know all the details but obviously someone was caught committing fraud with cards that were in PSA holders. Was the crime really card switching or was it beyond that and fake holders/labels were made up? Does anyone know if this was done to holders that came from PSA or did the crook buy holders directly and make fake labels to make the card appear to have been graded? Remember the PSA 10 Jordan card on ebay sometime ago that had a label the didn't use the same style of font PSA uses? Was that seller involved? Is PSA to blame in either scenario? NO. I know you can get those holders yourself and reproducing the labels would be quite easy. Same goes for SGC holders.

No where in any of the material I have read from PSA or SGC do they claim they are security/fraud protection experts and that the holders are 100% fool proof. They are trading card grading companies. I feel BOTH style of holders offer a MUCH more then reasonable degree of safety aginst tampering. But NOTHING is 100% fool proof and ask anyone who sells car alarms - NOTHING will stop some scum bag from stealing your car if he/she wants it bad enough.

Hopefully both PSA and SGC will take steps to further hinder holder tampering, but let's put the blame on the crooks here and not the victim. It's no secret I don't support PSA's services but c'mon, fair is fair.

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Posted By: Hankron

Peter, I wasn't criticising PSA, other than suggesting how all grading card companies could address this issue if they choose. I certainly don't wish people to be believe that I blame PSA for others' illegal activities.

However, I have no doubt that in the future, grading companies will enact proceducures similar to those that I have suggested-- meaning, I bet you that officials are currently discussing the subject that I brought up aloud. An effective procedure may simply be to put a tamper evident seal on the holder, similar to the little tag PSA/DNA. Also, I know I have a Hell of a time removing those little music CD side seals.

I was merely saying that if switching is a problem (and I don't know if it is), it can be addressed effectively so that it is no longer a problem a problem. As Julie once told me, prevention is the better part of valor. (Just teasing, Julie)