Authentication
Autographs are commonly sold with "Certificates of Authenticity" (COA), which are meant to assure the buyer that the signature is genuinely made by the person claimed. However, COAs are only as valuable as the reputation of the issuing party. Anyone can offer a COA, so it is important to investigate the background of each "authenticator."

There are many reputable autograph experts, and eBay has identified a partial list of authenticators for your benefit. These authenticators offer various services for buyers and sellers of autographs.

Listing Guidelines
eBay strongly recommends that autograph sellers include all relevant information in their listings about the autograph and the item it appears on, including:

• A clear, scanned image of the actual autographed item for sale.

• All relevant information about the Certificate of Authenticity (if the signature or item has been authenticated), including the name of the person or company issuing the certificate.

• A scan of the Certificate of Authenticity (if the signature or item has been authenticated)

• Seller’s refund policy—in case any reputable dealer (including those dealers listed in the relevant authentication section of eBay's site) find that the item is likely not authentic.

Unacceptable Authenticators on eBay
Many eBay members have heard about a federal investigation by the FBI and United States Attorneys' offices into forgeries of sports autographs and certificates of authenticity that may have been falsely issued. As a result of that case, eBay will not permit the use of or reference to certificates of authenticity on its site that have been issued by the following parties:

• All-Sports Cards & Memorabilia

• Classic Memorabilia

• Dave Niedema, a.k.a. Dave Madiema

• Donald Frangipani

• Forensic Document Services-Robert Prouty

• Hollywood Dreams

• J. Dimaggio Co. / J. Dimaggio Company

• Legends Sports Memorabilia

• North Shore Sports

• Pro Sports / Pro Sports Memorabilia

• R.R.'s Sports Cards & Collectibles

• SCAA /Front Page Art Angela-John Marino

• Slamdunk Sportscards Memoribilia

• Sport Card Kid Hunting Beachor

• Sports Alley Memorabilia

• Sports Management Group

• Stan's Sports / Stans Sports Memorabilia

• Steve Ryan

• Universal

• Universal Inc.

• Universal Memorabilia

• W.W. Sportscards & Collectibles

Unrelated to this investigation, eBay does not allow Certificates of Authenticity from any of the following authenticators:

• Donald Frangipani

  • Hundreds of COAs originally issued by Donald Frangipani may have been fraudulently copied or altered. Until further notice, eBay will not permit any use of or reference to certificates of authenticity issued by Donald Frangipani.

• Robert Prouty

  • Forensic examiner Robert Prouty and a company known as Forensic Document Services caused a number of certificates to be issued based upon only limited, "cursory" reviews of autographs. Based upon information from the N.Y. Department of Consumer Affairs, federal law enforcement and Mr. Prouty, it appears that these limited reviews were not sufficient to provide meaningful assurances about the authenticity of the autograph. As a number of items issued with such certificates may be forgeries, eBay will not permit any such limited certificates of authenticity issued by Robert Prouty or Forensic Document Services to be used in any way on eBay.

• Forensic Document Services

Any listings that refer to examinations or certificates of authenticity from these companies or individuals are not allowed.

eBay strives to maintain a marketplace that is safe for both buyers and sellers of autographs. This policy helps to ensure an open trading experience where every party is informed about the items being traded.