The Ultimate Guide to Spotting a Fake Funko Pop & Avoiding Scams

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Plus, what to do if you buy a fake Funko Pop

Co-authored by Anthony Malewich and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: December 4, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Spotting a Fake Funko Pop
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• Avoiding Fakes
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• What to Do If You Buy a Fake
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• FAQs
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• Video

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Whether you’re just starting your Funko Pop collection or are a seasoned collector, knowing how to spot a fake figurine is important. Funko Pops have soared in popularity, and with that soar come scams. Resellers will try to sell you “exclusive” figurines that are less than subpar. So, how do you know when a Funko Pop is authentic or not? Read on to find out how to spot (and avoid) fake Funkos!

Top Signs of a Fake Funko Pop

• Missing serial number. Fake Funkos do not have a matching serial number on the bottom of the box and figurine.
• Incorrect logo. Fake Funko Pops have blurry, inconsistent logos or no logo at all. Real Funko Pops have crisp, gradient logos that go from yellow to white.
• Poor detail. Fake Funko Pops are dull in color and feature messy paint strokes. Real Funko Pops have vibrant colors, clean edges, and no paint overlap.
• Low price. Fake Funko Pops are suspiciously low in price, while real Funko Pops typically range from $12-20.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Spot a Fake Funko Pop

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   Missing serial number Serial numbers are present on the box and the base of the figure on real models, with matching numbers between the two for every Funko Pop released after 2020. The numbers aren’t just printed, either; they’re pressed or embossed into the package (depending on your model). The serial number listed can also be verified through the Funko app. On fakes, this number may be missing or inconsistent.

   • Signs Your Funko Pop Is Fake: Missing or inconsistent serial numbers between the box and figure that are printed on and can’t be verified through the Funko app.
   • Verify the serial number in the app to check the figure’s validity.
   • Note: Funko Pops released before 2020 may not have matching serial numbers.
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   Blurry logo On real Funko Pops, the logo has a gradient color that goes from yellow at the top to white at the bottom, along with subtle light yellow dots peppered throughout the gradient. The logo also appears in a consistent font in clear, crisp quality throughout the packaging. Fake logos tend to be smudgy, inconsistent, and lack the dots.

   • Signs Your Funko Pop Is Fake: Smudgy logo with incorrect colors, a lack of light yellow dots, and inconsistencies throughout the package.
   • Cross-reference the logo on your package with the logo on an authentic package to determine whether or not it’s counterfeit. If you don’t have an authentic package, look up the logo online.
   • Along with this, the official licensing information is displayed, and there are registered trademark symbols (®).
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   Missing trademark on the box The box is a huge sign that your Funko Pop may be fake. For starters, the trademark symbol on real boxes is always next to the ‘POP!’ logo in the top-left corner. The shine on the transparent cover is strong, but not overwhelming, and the borders on the characters and logo are thin, but noticeable. On fakes, this is all the opposite; the trademark is often missing, and the colors tend to be inconsistent with the actual character design.

   • Signs Your Funko Pop Is Fake: The trademark symbol is missing, the transparent cover shines bright enough to obscure the figure when in light, the borders around the character are too thick, and the colors are inconsistent.
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   Poor paint job Real Funko Pops feature consistent colors, have clean edges that don’t have any paint overlap, and are always 3.75 inches (9.525 centimeters) tall unless stated otherwise. Fake Funko Pops, on the other hand, tend to have inconsistent colors that don’t match the figure’s source material, paint overlap or unfinished paint, and may be smaller than the average Funko Pop.

   • Signs Your Funko Pop Is Fake: Inconsistent colors, overlapping paint on the edges, and figures that aren’t 3.75 in (9.525 cm).
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   Inconsistencies between the box and figure The colors on real Funko Pops always match the source material (unless stated otherwise). They are vibrant and consistent between the packaging and the figure, with professional finishes and no visible paint strokes. On fakes, the colors are inconsistent between the package and the figure, they aren’t as vibrant as real figures, and some even feature incorrect colors.

   • Signs Your Funko Pop Is Fake: Non-vibrant, inconsistent colors between the packaging and figure that don’t match the colors of the source material.
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   Suspiciously low price point If the price of a Funko Pop is too good to be true, it’s probably fake. A super low price tag is a big red flag in the Funko Pop community, as counterfeiters tend to lower their prices so they can get their product out. Standard-sized Funko Pops tend to cost between $12 and $20. While not all Funko Pops are expensive, some can reach up to $210,000 if they’re valuable, so avoid prices that are too good to be true.

   • Signs Your Funko Pop Is Fake: The listed price is much lower (35% or more) than the market value.
   • If you’re unsure if you’re being scammed, check the prices for the same figurine on other platforms. Is the price within range, or is it suspiciously lower?
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   Seller with large quantities of “rare” items If you’re buying from a reseller who claims to have a rare Funko Pop, check the number of figures the seller claims to have. Rare Funko Pops are rare because of quantity control (the creators only made so many), so if the seller offers multiple exclusive figurines in bulk quantities, they’re most likely fake.

   • Signs Your Funko Pop Is Fake: Seller claims to have multiple vaulted or limited edition figures and exclusives that are consistently available.
   • This scam is especially popular after conventions.
   • It is possible for resellers to sell multiple exclusive Funko Pops; however, warehouse quantities of the same exclusive figurine are impossible due to Funko’s controlled production.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Avoid Buying Fake Funko Pops

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   Purchase from reputable sellers. Always buy Funko Pops from retailers with a credible track record. Look for sellers who provide authenticity guarantees and customer protection. Some places you can buy authentic Funko Pops include Funko's website, Barnes & Noble, and Hot Topic.

   • As a general note, always research the seller beforehand (if you can).
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   Avoid prices that seem too good to be true. YouTube content creator Brad Wells says, “If you’re shopping online on sites such as eBay, and [the product] looks to be a price that’s too good to be true, it probably is.” If the Funko you’re looking at is well below market price, like $30 when the product is going for $100, stay away, as it’s most likely fake.
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   Verify licensing information. Before purchasing, check that the Funko Pop has all of the licensing details on the package. Use the Funko app to cross-reference information on the box with the official database. By making sure the licensing details are official before you buy, you’ll save your future self a lot of hassle.
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   Ask the seller for photos of the product and serial numbers. Asking for photos of the product and serial numbers allows you to closely inspect the Funko Pop to see if there are any inconsistencies in the box, logos, or paint. It also lets you confirm whether or not the serial number is legitimate, as you can enter it into the Funko app once the seller sends it.

   • If they don’t send the photos, proceed with caution, as they may be trying to hide the fact that the product is fake.
   • Specifically, you may want to ask for clear images showing the Funko logo, any authentication marks, and the serial number.
   • If you notice things like mismatching logos, large borders around the image of the figure, and smudged or inconsistent design features, steer clear of that listing, as it’s likely fake.
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   Read the listing carefully. A listing full of grammar and spelling mistakes is likely a scam. The seller may not be typing the listing in their native language, which can be a red flag if they don’t have a reputable history of selling authentic products. Always double- and triple-check the figurine’s listing to ensure it’s authentic.
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Section 3 of 4:

What to Do If You Bought a Fake Funko Pop

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   Reach out to the seller to see if you can get a refund. Check the seller’s return policy before reaching out to see if they take refunds. If they do, then reach out to them and let them know that you suspect the product to be fake and would like to return it. Unaware sellers will likely be willing to process the refund and help you out, but sellers who were intentionally trying to scam you may drag their feet or refuse your refunds.
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   If they refuse to refund, report them to the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit that helps consumers know which businesses are good and which ones aren’t. To put your seller on their radar and keep other buyers protected, file a report with the Better Business Bureau by visiting their website and letting them know the details of your situation.
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   Dispute the charge with your bank. If the seller is refusing to refund you, reach out to your bank to dispute the charge by letting them know that you purchased counterfeit goods. Banks typically let you dispute a charge through a process known as a “chargeback,” which is when you work with your bank or cardholder to get a refund from the merchant.

   • Chargebacks are especially useful when the seller is unresponsive, so don’t be afraid to dispute the charge.
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   Warn potential buyers in the reviews. After you’ve gotten your own situation figured out (or are in the process of getting it figured out), warn buyers by letting them know that the seller has a history of selling fake products in the reviews. Explain the details of your purchase, how the seller responded when confronted, and finish off by leaving a one-star review. A one-star can go far.
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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   How does Funko protect its products from fakes? Funko uses authenticity stickers and QR codes that are hard to replicate. These authenticity stickers are holographic elements that change as you move the product around. The QR codes lead to an official verification website where you put in a unique code (also on the package) that confirms the authenticity of the product. Funko has only recently added these elements to its products, so be on the lookout if you’re grabbing a new figure.
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   Do fake Funko Pops scan in the app? Ideally, a fake Funko Pop will not scan properly in the app; however, mistakes can happen. Some collectors claim that fake Funko Pops have been scanned and shown authenticity in the Funko app. While the app is a great way to double-check authenticity, it isn’t foolproof. So, always use additional signs to determine authenticity, such as licensing information.

   • Why can fake Funko Pops be scanned in the app? Newer fakes copy the UPC code on the back of the Funko Pop’s packaging, which is required to be scanned with the app. Sometimes, the app can’t identify if the code is a copy or not.
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   Are all Funko Pops made in China fake? No, not all Funko Pops made in China are fake.While Funko’s primary manufacturing facility is in Vietnam, they also have facilities in China, Mexico, the U.S., and other countries. Many fakes do come from China, but there are also many authentic sellers there! Just be extra vigilant when purchasing Funko Pops from another country.
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   How common are fake Funko Pops? The exact number of fake Funko Pops is unknown, but they are fairly common on secondhand websites like eBay. Counterfeits tend to be more common for older figures that are rare or are valued higher than standard Funko Pops.
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   How do you know if your Funko Pop is valuable? Valuable Funko Pops are usually exclusive or limited edition. To see if your Funko Pop is valuable, input its information using HobbyDB or the Funko app.

   • Click here for a list of the most expensive Funko Pops—maybe you have a gold mine in your hands!
   • Check out our “How to Sell Funko Pop Collectibles” guide for the best-selling information.
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