COUNTERFEIT ALERT: Charity Autograph Counterfeiter revealed and reported by “Inside Edition.”

What does “Autograph Authenticity” mean to you?  A lesson for Charity Fundraisers.  Why am I writing this?  Because we want to protect you - teach you and your charity.  Do we want to drive more business to us - of course BUT...the truth of the matter is, revealing that there are counterfeiters out there may drive people away.  But at least I'll be able to sleep at night.  

Unfortunately, like everywhere, there are a few companies who are documented Autograph Counterfeiters and one of which, was actually the subject of an “Inside Edition” story.  This company, located on the east coast, has been providing autographed items but in this case, an autographed Country Music Legends Guitar, for many years and also has a company providing very similar items.  The company which was the target of the investigation, had provided what was said to be a “Country Music Legends autographed Guitar.” 

Inside Edition investigators posed as a charity and ordered many guitars such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd and of course, the Country Music Legends guitar.  However, the investigation revealed that one of the autographs was Tammy Wynette.  Unfortunately, Tammy Wynette died in 1998 but the guitar was made in 2013.  Ms. Wynette (as said by the reporter) would have had to come back from the dead to sign the guitar.  The investigation revealed that all the guitars they received were counterfeit autographs. 

If you would like to watch the story – here is the link:

https://www.insideedition.com/videos/3420-watch-real-or-fake-rock-and-roll-memorabilia-investigation

However, these counterfeiters aren’t stupid – the items come with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying that they are real.  

Do you think they care that they are scamming and stealing from a charity?

The company in question then said there is no real way to prove that an autograph is real - BullShi@t !!!   All the guitars were returned by the company, however, charities are still utilizing the items.

I hear you “Why aren’t they going to jail?”  “Why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?”  I hear you and believe me, I’ve been screaming the same thing for years.  But I am going to hopefully educate you and hopefully you pass the word around throughout the charity world.

Why do these companies routinely change their names and web addresses?  Seriously, because they are hiding.  They have had many different names…all it takes is a little searching on the Google and you’ll see. 

Ask those companies if they have photo's of the items being signed and who the authenticators are?  Are they the standards in the Memorabilia World such as JSA, PSA/DNA, Becket or Steiner?  No?   Ruuuuuuuuuuuunnnnn !!!!

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REALITY:

How to protect yourself and your charity by spotting a Fake.  Yes – authentic autographed guitars do exist but if they are truly authentic, not only are they incredibly expensive but they are authenticated by “Authentic Authenticators” and come with either a photograph or video of the person actually autographing the item.

I’ve heard the argument “Well it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity” – the reality is, anyone can also produce a certificate of authenticity but the reality and the real question is – “Who is the authenticator?”  Real or “Authentic Authenticators” have a track record and are widely known in the autograph industry such as JSA, PSA/DNA, Beckett and Steiner.  However, you should understand that all counterfeiters will provide a “Fake” Certificate of Authenticity just to cover their tracks.

Here is reality – these companies carry autographed items which no one has other than themselves or they have items which you may feel are acceptably expensive such as a Muhammed Ali autographed Boxing Glove for $1,000.00.  The reality is – he died many years ago and several years prior to his death, he could not write.  His authentic autographed boxing gloves are wholesaling for $3,000.00 or more.  Plus they are extremely hard to find.   Anyone who has passed away, their autographs are extremely rare and if you do find them – well, be prepared to pay a hefty price. 

Lebron James, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and iconic athlete’s such as they are – their autographs are EXTREMELY expensive and that is why – many of us don’t carry them.  They are mainly sold through a retail setting. 

ANOTHER POINT:  Don’t believe the story “They are signing them at a lower price because they are meant for charities” – Bull.  They could care less.  They want to be paid and that’s it.  Our company does 100’s of signings with athletes and they know who we are – “Pay me please.”

Ask yourself this?  Why doesn’t this company sell these items in a retail setting?  If you have checked the internet to see if you can find their items with other dealers other than the two (2) companies who are documented forgers, why are they the only ones who carry them? 

Another tip that will help you – Look at the autographs, do they appear all the same, signed with the same pen and appear very similar?  Let’s take for instance this authentic Rolling Stones autographed Guitar.  Understand – IT’S REAL – but the consignment price is nearly $15,000.00.  Notice how messy the autographs are?  Notice they don’t look similar or signed with the same pen?

The reality is ladies and gentlemen – many of you want to believe the fakes are real and honestly, don’t care if you are passing these frauds along.  Do you know that you are then a part of a criminal conspiracy?  

“All that Glitters is not Gold” – let your gut and your conscience be your guide.  Do you want your charity featured on Inside Edition or some other investigative TV Show like 60 Minutes?  I doubt it.

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Our Guarantee:

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising’s guarantee is simply this – EVERYTHING autographed we carry is 100% authentic – PERIOD.  If you want to show our items to other authenticators, please be our guests.  We don’t have life time guarantee’s – why?  Because our items are REAL – why guarantee them if they are real?

How does BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising have 100's and 1,000's of photo's with celebrities and athletes, standing with them, video's and photo's of them signing the items but the other companies don't?  Well that's a CLUE or a major HINT.  RUN!!!

When you go on our website, why don’t we have pictures of all of our items shown for you to reserve?  Because it’s impossible.  Authentic autographed items sell quick – We, because our items are real, don’t have an unending supply of items.  Why?  Because we can’t pay someone to fake the autograph. 

Every single autograph we carry is authenticated by Authentic Authenticators who are the standards in the memorabilia world – JSA, PSA/DNA, Beckett etc.  Our items come with a photograph of the item being autographed.

If you are want REAL or AUTHENTIC, there is only ONE (1) PROVIDER to come to – BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising.  That is why we are TRUSTED by the White House, the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Charities, the NFL, the NHL, the MLB etc.

If we can help you or you would like to learn more about how to spot a counterfeit autograph, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com, we would love to help.  Also, please test us - ask for photo's and who our Authenticators are - WE WOULD LOVE TO SHOW YOU!!!