Following the death of actress Carrie Fisher, best known as Princess Leia in the Star Wars Franchise, Star Wars experts all over the world caution collectors about fake and forged autographs entering the marketplace.

“Whenever a celebrity or historical figure passes, we quickly see spurious signatures and counterfeit memorabilia being offered online especially on eBay," said one expert. “Carrie Fisher’s passing is an opportunity for fraudsters to trick the public with forged autographs and other fake items purportedly from her. The competition to get her memorabilia online for sale now to the highest bidders while she's on everybody mind because those signatures sell and the crooks know it.

Another expert said," "The forger doesn't care about you. They will say anything you want to hear as long they make money."

Princess Leia played by Carrie Fisher was a role model for little girls everywhere and she will be gladly miss but not forgotten. Carrie lent her autograph services often by attending Star Wars conventions, book signings, movie premieres,and charitable events.

Genuine Carrie autographs usually sell for $75-$100, and higher now that she is deceased. Cast signed with her, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford can fetch in the upper low $1,000-$2000 range. If the price is too low to be believed, there is a chance the item is fake, forged or stolen.

Hopefully, the market will not be flooded with Carrie-signed memorabilia.
Nonetheless, there are steps people can take to reduce the risk of getting lured into a transaction that is done dishonestly, priced unfairly, or even both:

- Always make sure to buy and sell through a reputable dealer.

- Before purchasing autographed memorabilia, especially "vintage" or deceased athlete/celebrity memorabilia, ask questions about the history and circumstances relating to the autograph.

- Certificates of authenticity are not guarantees of authenticity.

- If the price is too good to be true, it is probably a fake.

- officialpix.com Star Wars Official Autograph site

- starwarsauthentics.com just launched December 21, 2016 is a good place to start for the new cast