VERY GOOD INFO!  This guide is how to spot FRAUDULANT / FAKE autographs.  It gives you key details to check and look for BEFORE buying any autographed item.  And will also let you know how to tell if an item is GENIUNELY AUTHENTIC too!   

1.  BE FAMILIAR - NEVER buy an autographed item when you aren't familiar with what the REAL autograph looks like.  (This will eliminate the possibility of buying horrible items from many fake sellers right away). 

1a. BE SUSPICIOUS LIST:

(1).  Signature looks nothing like the athletes signature.

(2).  Seller states that he gets signatures in person and is selling (10) Wayne Gretzky photo's (or another mega superstar)

(3).  Seller is new and is just selling ALL autographed photo's from Superstars (Only photos, no Jerseys or no pucks or anything else).  (Almost all authentic sellers sell different types of items, such as photos and pucks or jerseys or miscellaneous.  (The FAKE new seller just bought (100) 8x10's and signed them himself)      

(4)  If there isn't a Certificate of Authenticity; then research the seller more closely.  Look at his feedback history and his other items that he is selling and determine if it is reasonable.   Athletes do sign during pre-season camps and at car dealerships and at golf outings, etc; BUT if a seller has (10) of one star; I would advise to AVOID, unless the seller has a legitimate COA.   You can only acquire multiple items from a superstar from one of his signings and all of those would come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

2.  ITEM HISTORY - Read where the item came from!  If the seller says he gets signatures in person; then LOOK at their other items and if he is listing a ton of superstars, then I would be highly suspicious.  For example, seller says he gets the autographs after the game or at the hotel and he is also selling 10 other Wayne Gretzky 8x10's, 10 Mario Lemieux 8x10's and 10 Bobby Orr 8x10's; then I would strongly advise you to avoid (especially if there aren't any legitimate COA's either).

3.  If the item has a legitimate COA (Certificate of Authenticity), then you can guarantee that it is real.  Some legitimate COA's are WGA (Wayne Gretzky Authentic), SYA (Steve Yzerman Authentic), Frameworth, GNR (Great North - Bobby Orr), Reich PM (Lemieux), Lucky Sports Management, Goalies Den, Upper Deck, Steiner, Frozen Pond, Ovechkin, Schwartz Sports, Gibraltar Trade Center.   This is just to name a few of the GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC companies who all ONLY issue a COA with a representative witnessing the signature!

4.  LOOK AT THE SELLER and READ THE SELLERS FEEDBACK!!!!!  Does the seller have only 25 feedback score with all superstar autographed items sold???  Is the seller brand new to ebay and listing several items that are all questionable???  Does the seller only sell autographed photo's without a reputable COA???  Avoid these sellers if you have doubts!  Try to find a reputable seller who has been around for a long time and has a great track record with buyers leaving great feedback.  And if the seller is selling items from any of the companies in #3 above, then you know those items are legitimate AUTHENTIC collectibles.  And usually good sellers are selling different types of items (for example, they will have photos, pucks, jerseys and maybe other kinds as well).  (Not just 50 different 8x10's).

5.  Make sure the item isn't being advertised as a 'Pre-Print or copy'.  Read the entire auction to make sure you aren't missing something. (You want a nice bold authentic signature with a sharpie or paint pen or something permanent).

6.  When all else fails and you still have doubt, then GET AN OPINION.  You can quickly submit a photo of the item to a 3rd party authenticator (such as PSA/DNA) and they will give you their EXPERT opinion as to whether they believe the item to be genuine or not geniune.