MIcheal's Card Collection Company ( Lets talk about Fakes and Impostor Cards )

                             MICHEAL'S CARD COLLECTION COMPANY

                                                                  Mtpccc.com

 You can find our two retail locations at Timeless Flea Market and Primitive Chick Antiques.

You can find our vending machines at Flipping Storage and Eagle Pawn Shop and Primitive Chick Antiques.

Today in March 2026 we have reduced to 5 vending machines and the two locations above. As a collector and a small business that sells POKEMON CARDS and MERCHANDISE I strive to help people build collections and enjoy the chase of  collecting cards.

The world of collecting cards is filled with challenges and one of those challenges is FAKE or IMPOSTOR CARDS. 

So I wanted to take a moment to discuss how to tell the REAL DEAL from the FAKES!

Let me first come out and say I have had the experience of being a bib Tim of fake cards, matter of fact I held some debate in my community about if I should sell these fake cards or not. I ended up deciding to give them to sick kids in the hospital in the end,

As a small business I pride myself on Getting the REAL DEAL so that's why I only buy from companies registered with TCG or the Pokemon Company. However I do but from individuals as well and you have to be careful in this area as well.

IS SELLING FAKE OR IMPOSTOR CARDS ILLEGAL:

Yes selling counterfeit or fake cards is illegal and you can be charged with fraud, counterfeiting, or copyright or trademark laws that can end up with heavy fines or jail time.

HOW DO SOME COMPANIES GET AWAY WITH SELLING THEM:

This is a complicated answer but the shortest version is that many companies offer third party selling and because of the number of counterfeit cards produced they simply cannot catch all of them Also companies have learned how to get around regulations and laws. Many companies operate outside the USA that adds to the complex nature of regulating the issue.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOP COMPANIES LISTED FOR SELLING FAKES:

According to research I have done and from my past experiences companies like Temu, Aliexpress, Shien, and some other companies are listed in Google search engines.

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF SELLING FAKE CARDS:

Some companies and people selling change the wording using the word Proxy, or Fan Art. 

HOW TO TELL A FAKE FROM THE REAL DEAL:

So one way that is recommended is called the Flash Light Test, the light will shine through fake cards, and the light should not be on a real card. Texture is another test fakes are often flossy and smooth. Pokemon cards have rarity Common,uncommon,rare, promo and specialty cards. Most all Pokemon cards are numbered, but there are some out there that are not. They will have the date on the card. Look for spelling mistakes,and HOP Mistakes. Also use the TCG or Price Charting APP to scan the card.

MY EXPERIENCE:

Looking for ways to save money and getting better deals for my customers I decided to try a few companies above listed and even though the packs came Sealed and looked like original Pokemon Cards once opening them was a different story. What I found was the cards where all FAKE.

This is another tip opening a sealed pack Pokemon always puts Energy and Trainer Cards in packs, as well as a promo card for points and extra that you can scan with your phone. If you buy a pack and it does not contain these items most likely the cards are FAKE!.

Also if sealed packs contain several cards of high value it also could be a FAKE!

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THE CARD IS FAKE OR REAL:

Take your card to a reputable shop that sells Pokemon or the cards you're collecting.  Most long time collectors and people like me that sell buy and trade Pokemon cards and most people I have encountered in my community would be happy to research the card for you and give you an direct answer.

WHAT DO I DO WITH A FAKE CARD:

Well you could just add it to a collection or like me I took a lot to the hospital and handed them out to kids who had been ill, and even to this day I still do that. !Some people I have encountered made art projects.

Just do not re-sell it!

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO IF I WANT TO COLLECT CARDS TO AVOID FAKE CARDS:

My best advice is to research the cards you collect if it is Pokemon or any other card. When you buy cards decide if it is just for fun or if you're collecting for fun or as an  investment. If it is just for dun and your doing it tou may not care you got a fake but if your building an investment or plan to trade or sell cards at a later time a FAKE could be a huge loss.

I hope people come to me as a collector and seller they would know that I would not sell a fake or imposter card to them if I was aware it was a fake. Even me with my experience can be had however. 

So with this in mind find someone with a good reputation, and  if making a large dollar purchase asks questions, 

I hope this helps all of you out there in the community of collecting cards!