How do I know what I'm buying is legit and not a fake?

With the rise in NFT popularity, it’s important to verify that what you’re buying is authentic — not a copy or scam.

Mintable provides tools and best practices to help you protect yourself when collecting or investing in NFTs.

✅ What Makes an NFT Authentic?

Every item on Mintable belongs to a store smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain. Each store has:

• A unique contract address

• A collection of items that all share that address

• Individual items with their own unique token IDs

This makes it impossible to forge a true match between a fake NFT and a verified smart contract.

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🔍 How to Verify an NFT's Authenticity

Here’s how to check that what you’re buying is legit:

1. Check the Store Address

• Click on the store or collection name on the item page

• Confirm that the smart contract address is the official one (e.g., from a project's website or social links)

2. Look for the Blue Checkmark ✅

• Collections with a blue tick have been verified by Mintable

• This means the smart contract and collection have passed authenticity checks

🛑 No blue tick? That doesn’t always mean it’s fake — but you should do extra due diligence.

3. Verify on the Blockchain

• Use a block explorer like Etherscan

• Search the store’s smart contract address

• Confirm the token ID exists under that contract and matches the listing

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🛡️ Tips to Stay Safe

• Only trust official links from project websites or social accounts

• Be cautious of listings with suspiciously low prices or vague seller info

• Don’t assume popularity = authenticity — always verify the contract

• For high-value purchases, take the extra minute to validate everything

🔗 Want More Tips?

Read our full guide on spotting scams: 📖 NFT Scams and How to Avoid Them