Start at the grader, not a seller's link
Type the grader's website address yourself, then find its certification lookup. For Beckett graded cards, use the grading lookup rather than an autograph-authentication lookup. Read the full number carefully; a photo may make similar characters hard to distinguish.
Compare the recorded year, set, player or Pokémon, card number, variation, language and grade with the listing. A correct grade attached to a different card isn't a match. Save the listing before a seller changes it.
Compare images when a record provides them
If the official record includes holdered-card photos, compare the label and visible card details with the seller's images. Ask for clear front and back photos when the listing is too small to inspect.
Don't rely only on the seller's screenshot of a lookup result. It can show a legitimate record without establishing that the seller holds the same physical card.
A real number can be copied
PSA explicitly warns that certification verification does not eliminate counterfeit risk. Counterfeit labels can use genuine numbers obtained from public records. Database matching and physical authentication answer different questions.
A mismatch is a reason to pause, but a match is not a guarantee. If the holder, label or card appears inconsistent, contact the grader or use a qualified inspection rather than treating this checklist as authentication.
What to save if something is wrong
Keep the listing, order confirmation, certification result and your own clear photos. Describe the specific mismatch to the seller or platform and follow its published dispute process.
A vault listing should still be checked before delivery or resale. We haven't authenticated a particular slab for you; this guide helps you gather the information needed for that decision.