The sports card grading industry is facing a reckoning.

PSA just released their 2025 fraud report, and the numbers are staggering — fraudulent submissions have jumped 250% year-over-year. Dan the Card Man broke down the report in detail, and what he found should concern every collector who has ever sent a card to be graded.

The Big Issues

Fake Cards Flooding the System

Counterfeiters are getting more sophisticated. Fake cards are being submitted at an alarming rate, with modern printing technology making it harder than ever to spot fakes with the naked eye. PSA says they are investing in AI-powered authentication tools, but the volume of submissions is straining the system.

Trimmed Cards Still Slipping Through

Altered edges — cards trimmed to appear in better condition — remain a persistent problem. Even experienced graders are being fooled by expertly trimmed cards. This devalues the entire grading system and puts buyers at risk.

Bulk Order Concerns

Boston Card Hunter recently revealed tips from a current PSA employee at the Santa Ana office, suggesting bulk submissions may not be getting the same level of scrutiny as premium-tier submissions. The whistleblower alleged that cheaper submission tiers are being processed with less care, potentially letting fraudulent cards slip through.

Market Context

This fraud surge comes at a time when the sports card market is absolutely booming:

  • A 1997-98 Kobe Bryant PMG Green / PSA 5 sold for $3,150,000 — a record for Kobe
  • A 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. RC / PSA 10 hit $23,400
  • Fanatics Premier Auction saw a Michael Jordan card cross $75,000
  • The Fanatics auctions are becoming a major sales channel alongside eBay and Goldin

Where there is money, there are scammers.

What You Can Do

  • Buy PSA slabs with QR codes — Always scan and verify the Cert number on PSA website before purchasing
  • Avoid raw gem mint cards from unknown sellers — If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is
  • Check population reports — Before buying high-end cards, check the PSA population report. If a card is supposedly a PSA 10 but the population report shows very few exist, be suspicious
  • Stick with reputable sellers — Established dealers and auction houses have more to lose by selling fakes
  • Ask for additional photos — Request high-resolution images of the card edges and corners. Many sellers are happy to provide them

Bottom Line

The market is hotter than ever, but so are the scams. The 250% increase in fraud at PSA is a wake-up call for every collector. Do not let the fear of missing out cloud your judgment — do your homework, verify your slabs, and stay sharp out there.

This is what policing the hobby looks like.

Sources: Dan the Card Man - "Sports Card and TCG Fraud Increases by 250% at PSA" (May 2026); Boston Card Hunter - "PSA Employee Reveals What is Happening To Bulk Orders" (May 2026); PSA 2025 Fraud Report