Autographs America - American Autograph Authentication Services - Brian Burkel - Wu Xin Burkel BUYER BEWARE! Known scam artists selling forged autographs to consumers! Maple Valley Washington
Other known aliases:
American Autograph Authentication Services, Inc., original_autographs_4u, losangelesrocks92684, great_american_autographs, backstagefun, collectors_network, collectorsuniverseltd, qualityonlineautographs, and possibly many many more!
Autographs America is a company website ran by a married couple named Brian & Wu Xin Burkel. They have been scamming consumers, and companies, for years stating that they are selling authentic autographed memorabilia. Their company has been banned from Ebay and now they're trying to advertise on Craigslist. In their ad's and on their website, they consistantly state that none of their items are fake and they are backed by their COA. Their COA company does not exist! Mr. Burkel is a conartist and ex-convict who enjoys ripping people off for thousands of dollars everyday. Please google his name and/or company and you will find a lot of information about him. All of his "authentic signature items" are extremely underpriced for their actual values, and this should be your first warning sign: If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Here is my situation, with this bogus company, in a nutshell. I'm an avid collector of a highly famous rock band who very rarely ever signed autographs, let alone LP's. There are just a few handfull of LP's that exist with all four band members autographs on them. There are absolutely no known musical instruments that are signed by all four members. The singer has long passed away and just his individual autograph alone is worth $2000+. He, himself, rarely signed anything.
Recently, a family member decided to purchase an item from autographsamerica.com as a birthday gift for me. When she told me she had purchased a signed LP of all four band members, I was immediately concerned and asked her where she had found this rare item. She went to their website and showed me the LP and I immediately knew it was a fake for several reasons: the amount she paid was $350 (this particular LP would value around $8,000+), the signatures were definite forgeries, the website seemed to have an autographed LP of EVERY record this band made (including a record produced AFTER the singer's death), and they had several guitars and a drum head with all four signatures.
I explained the situation to her and asked her to please email this company to stop the order immediately. There is not a phone number listed on the website, otherwise I would have called them myself. She emailed them twice and never got a response at all. A week later the record showed up on her doorstep. We looked at the actual LP and the signatures were in different places than the one showing on the website. We did further research online and found many sites listing their bogus schemes and how they have been ripping off consumers for years. I decided to send an email myself to this company stating that she wanted to return the LP for a full refund and the reasons why. This company sent me an email back with the following statement: "Perhaps if you got your head out of your a*s you could see clearer". This is an outrage! I am furious and this company needs to be investigated immediately!
This jerk has ripped off way too many people. And I find that, although it can be hard to prove if an actual autograph is truely authentic (Most COA's are not gaurantees either), how long will Mr. Burkel keep getting away with this? I have just proven his scheme wrong! Isn't forgery a crime? This jerk needs to be stopped and legal action needs to be done. Otherwise he's going to keep living his highlife, taking in thousands of dollars a day from hard working people that think they're getting a great price on an authentic item.
Ginger
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Shane
Queensland,Australia,
Australia
Burkel you are a FRAUD
#13
Tue, August 25, 2009
Well Mr Burns??? Care to enlighten everyone in the world who signed that wonderful promissory note that your big buddy Sky Benson witnessed. You are quick to shoot everyone down and call them liars & frauds, but when someone calls you out you stick your lawyers onto them. Well I am still waiting for my day in court with you and you can explain why NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON has said that guitar I have signed is authentic.
Autographs America.com
Maple Valley,Washington,
USA
CONSIDER THE SOURCE OF THIS INFORMATION: AVID COLLECTOR - NO EXPERT
#13
Mon, August 17, 2009
Here's what Ginger wrote:
I'm an avid collector of a highly famous rock band who very rarely ever signed autographs, let alone LP's. There are just a few handfull of LP's that exist with all four band members autographs on them. There are absolutely no known musical instruments that are signed by all four members. The singer has long passed away and just his individual autograph alone is worth $2000+. He, himself, rarely signed anything.
Why doesn't she name the band? She's an avid collector of an unknown band??? Only a handful of lps exist by some unknown band??? He rarely signed???
Funny! How many of you have gone to meet and greet events? I've gone to thousands, and people are ALWAYS holding album in their hands wanting them signed. We bring stacks of them to our arranged meet and greets, and they are handed out to everyone in attendance.
Does anyone ever refuse to sign? I've been doing this for so many years, and I'm not sure how long it has been, but one this is for sure. I have only had 4-5 people refuse, and I can name them:
Little Richard, Pat Benatar, Howard Leese of Heart, and the recently departed Mitch Mitchell of Jim Hendrixs' Jim Hendrix Experience Band. Little Richard says he's a Christian, and this isn't right (even though he's gay, and that is right). Pat only signs 12 items and has an assistant log them into her journal, for whatever purposes. Howard signs lots of stuff now for us, but back in the 80s he was too important to even acknowledge your presence in his own. Mitch says he only signs for charity.
This person never bought anything from us, and they are 'furious' because they think they are right about all this because they found this stuff on the Internet, and it all must be true, right, because it was posted on this site???
People we acknowledge freedom of speech, but lets consider the source of the information. Only people with some grudge against our organization comes to this site to post untrue statements. These things are NOT true!
Autographs America.com
Maple Valley,Washington,
USA
Michael Frost - Authentication Expert??? Experts should be an expert, NOT claim to be one
#13
Mon, August 17, 2009
Mike Frost, a supposed expert added a comment to this listing, saying WE made a claim that he had authenticated items from us. HE SHOULD READ THE COMMENT, which was made by a consumer to this site, NOT US! We hope he does a better job authenticating items when he can't even read the details BEFORE he makes his comments, which reveals he is in error. Surprised? We think NOT! He's certainly made many errors if he claims our items are not authentic. At the very least you would think he could read the words written by a consumer.
P.a.a.s.
COOPER CITY,Florida,
U.S.A.
P.A.A.S. SAYS THIS IS 100% FRAUD...
#13Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 17, 2009
This company Autograph America is a complete fraud and is claiming that P.A.A.S. - Professional Autograph Authentication Services. www.paasautographs.com has authenticated one of there item as authentic.
P.A.A.S. has personally examined over 25 signed items sold by Autograph America.
Every item examined was found to be not authentic.
I am willing to pay a reward of $500 for an Autograph America item that has been authenticated with a Letter of Authenticity from P.A.A.S.
Please beware of Autographs America owned by Brian Burkel who resides in Maple Valley WA.
Michael Frost
P.A.A.S.
www.paasautographs.com
Shane
Queensland,Australia,
Australia
My signed guitar was fake!! PSA/DNA confirmed.
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, June 14, 2009
I purchased a signed Van Halen guitar off Ebay in 2008 and after paying for the item Ebay alerted me that the item may be fake. I immediately put a stop to the payment and I tracked the company down who provided the Certificate Of Authenticity that came with the guitar. The company was Autographs America that operates out of Ravensdale. Their website is http://www.autographsamerica.com/ . I contacted them with regards to the guitar and asked if they could shed light on the authenticity, etc. I emailed back and forth with a person named Brian Burns. Brian insisted that he obtained the autographs in person in 1983 and sent me a scan of a concert ticket stub. I asked him to please get a statutory declaration of his story signed by a public notary and that way if I ever sold the guitar, the person would not have to go through what I went through with regards to authenticity.
I received a promissory note with regards to the guitar and Brian Burns signature was witnessed by a Sky Benson. As far as I was concerned that was good enough and paid for the guitar. A copy of the promissory note is attached.
I was surfing the web and came across a website that alerts people of internet scams and to my surprise Autographs America was on the list. The website is located here: http://allreaders.net/memorabiliascams/autographsamericacom.html
I contacted the owner of the website and told him my story. He promptly contacted me back and asked me to email a copy of the promissory note so he could also do some investigations of his own. He said he made contact with Sky Benson via email. Sky replied by saying that there is no Brian Burns, his real name is Brian Burkel. I contacted Sky Benson myself and asked if he witnessed the document signed by Brian Burns and he replied that he did. He seemed to have changed his story in the email sent to me.
After reading everything that has been put on the all readers site, I am convinced there is no Brian Burns. I contacted Autographs America and asked who is Brian Burns and they said he is the bald guy in the pictures on the website and to not contact them ever again. Quite honestly I don't believe them. Now I am left with a worthless signed guitar, as the one thing that guarantees its authenticity is infact fake.
I lodged a complaint with the FBI cyber crime unit. I also lodged a complaint with Linda Mead who is Manager of the Notary Public Program in Washington State. I also lodged a complaint with the sheriff in King County who said they were unable to assist due to budget constraints.
I have also contacted PSA/DNA for their opinion of the guitar and they have said it is "Likely Not Genuine".
Dont deal with these guys. You will be foolish like me if you do.
Shane
Queensland,Australia,
Australia
My signed guitar was fake!! PSA/DNA confirmed.
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, June 14, 2009
I purchased a signed Van Halen guitar off Ebay in 2008 and after paying for the item Ebay alerted me that the item may be fake. I immediately put a stop to the payment and I tracked the company down who provided the Certificate Of Authenticity that came with the guitar. The company was Autographs America that operates out of Ravensdale. Their website is http://www.autographsamerica.com/ . I contacted them with regards to the guitar and asked if they could shed light on the authenticity, etc. I emailed back and forth with a person named Brian Burns. Brian insisted that he obtained the autographs in person in 1983 and sent me a scan of a concert ticket stub. I asked him to please get a statutory declaration of his story signed by a public notary and that way if I ever sold the guitar, the person would not have to go through what I went through with regards to authenticity.
I received a promissory note with regards to the guitar and Brian Burns signature was witnessed by a Sky Benson. As far as I was concerned that was good enough and paid for the guitar. A copy of the promissory note is attached.
I was surfing the web and came across a website that alerts people of internet scams and to my surprise Autographs America was on the list. The website is located here: http://allreaders.net/memorabiliascams/autographsamericacom.html
I contacted the owner of the website and told him my story. He promptly contacted me back and asked me to email a copy of the promissory note so he could also do some investigations of his own. He said he made contact with Sky Benson via email. Sky replied by saying that there is no Brian Burns, his real name is Brian Burkel. I contacted Sky Benson myself and asked if he witnessed the document signed by Brian Burns and he replied that he did. He seemed to have changed his story in the email sent to me.
After reading everything that has been put on the all readers site, I am convinced there is no Brian Burns. I contacted Autographs America and asked who is Brian Burns and they said he is the bald guy in the pictures on the website and to not contact them ever again. Quite honestly I don't believe them. Now I am left with a worthless signed guitar, as the one thing that guarantees its authenticity is infact fake.
I lodged a complaint with the FBI cyber crime unit. I also lodged a complaint with Linda Mead who is Manager of the Notary Public Program in Washington State. I also lodged a complaint with the sheriff in King County who said they were unable to assist due to budget constraints.
I have also contacted PSA/DNA for their opinion of the guitar and they have said it is "Likely Not Genuine".
Dont deal with these guys. You will be foolish like me if you do.
Shane
Queensland,Australia,
Australia
My signed guitar was fake!! PSA/DNA confirmed.
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, June 14, 2009
I purchased a signed Van Halen guitar off Ebay in 2008 and after paying for the item Ebay alerted me that the item may be fake. I immediately put a stop to the payment and I tracked the company down who provided the Certificate Of Authenticity that came with the guitar. The company was Autographs America that operates out of Ravensdale. Their website is http://www.autographsamerica.com/ . I contacted them with regards to the guitar and asked if they could shed light on the authenticity, etc. I emailed back and forth with a person named Brian Burns. Brian insisted that he obtained the autographs in person in 1983 and sent me a scan of a concert ticket stub. I asked him to please get a statutory declaration of his story signed by a public notary and that way if I ever sold the guitar, the person would not have to go through what I went through with regards to authenticity.
I received a promissory note with regards to the guitar and Brian Burns signature was witnessed by a Sky Benson. As far as I was concerned that was good enough and paid for the guitar. A copy of the promissory note is attached.
I was surfing the web and came across a website that alerts people of internet scams and to my surprise Autographs America was on the list. The website is located here: http://allreaders.net/memorabiliascams/autographsamericacom.html
I contacted the owner of the website and told him my story. He promptly contacted me back and asked me to email a copy of the promissory note so he could also do some investigations of his own. He said he made contact with Sky Benson via email. Sky replied by saying that there is no Brian Burns, his real name is Brian Burkel. I contacted Sky Benson myself and asked if he witnessed the document signed by Brian Burns and he replied that he did. He seemed to have changed his story in the email sent to me.
After reading everything that has been put on the all readers site, I am convinced there is no Brian Burns. I contacted Autographs America and asked who is Brian Burns and they said he is the bald guy in the pictures on the website and to not contact them ever again. Quite honestly I don't believe them. Now I am left with a worthless signed guitar, as the one thing that guarantees its authenticity is infact fake.
I lodged a complaint with the FBI cyber crime unit. I also lodged a complaint with Linda Mead who is Manager of the Notary Public Program in Washington State. I also lodged a complaint with the sheriff in King County who said they were unable to assist due to budget constraints.
I have also contacted PSA/DNA for their opinion of the guitar and they have said it is "Likely Not Genuine".
Dont deal with these guys. You will be foolish like me if you do.
Shane
Queensland,Australia,
Australia
My signed guitar was fake!! PSA/DNA confirmed.
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, June 14, 2009
I purchased a signed Van Halen guitar off Ebay in 2008 and after paying for the item Ebay alerted me that the item may be fake. I immediately put a stop to the payment and I tracked the company down who provided the Certificate Of Authenticity that came with the guitar. The company was Autographs America that operates out of Ravensdale. Their website is http://www.autographsamerica.com/ . I contacted them with regards to the guitar and asked if they could shed light on the authenticity, etc. I emailed back and forth with a person named Brian Burns. Brian insisted that he obtained the autographs in person in 1983 and sent me a scan of a concert ticket stub. I asked him to please get a statutory declaration of his story signed by a public notary and that way if I ever sold the guitar, the person would not have to go through what I went through with regards to authenticity.
I received a promissory note with regards to the guitar and Brian Burns signature was witnessed by a Sky Benson. As far as I was concerned that was good enough and paid for the guitar. A copy of the promissory note is attached.
I was surfing the web and came across a website that alerts people of internet scams and to my surprise Autographs America was on the list. The website is located here: http://allreaders.net/memorabiliascams/autographsamericacom.html
I contacted the owner of the website and told him my story. He promptly contacted me back and asked me to email a copy of the promissory note so he could also do some investigations of his own. He said he made contact with Sky Benson via email. Sky replied by saying that there is no Brian Burns, his real name is Brian Burkel. I contacted Sky Benson myself and asked if he witnessed the document signed by Brian Burns and he replied that he did. He seemed to have changed his story in the email sent to me.
After reading everything that has been put on the all readers site, I am convinced there is no Brian Burns. I contacted Autographs America and asked who is Brian Burns and they said he is the bald guy in the pictures on the website and to not contact them ever again. Quite honestly I don't believe them. Now I am left with a worthless signed guitar, as the one thing that guarantees its authenticity is infact fake.
I lodged a complaint with the FBI cyber crime unit. I also lodged a complaint with Linda Mead who is Manager of the Notary Public Program in Washington State. I also lodged a complaint with the sheriff in King County who said they were unable to assist due to budget constraints.
I have also contacted PSA/DNA for their opinion of the guitar and they have said it is "Likely Not Genuine".
Dont deal with these guys. You will be foolish like me if you do.
Klinsmann
Parry Sound,Ontario,
Canada
Silver Sharpie
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, June 01, 2009
How is it that Jim Morrison signed an album with a silver sharpie when there was no such item before his death! This guy is a FRAUD!!!
Moverandshaker
Holtsville,New York,
U.S.A.
Checked and Validated
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, May 29, 2009
There was more than one item bought from Autographs America, a total of 5 items and every item was check thru an authentication service after the purchase which was P.A.A.S. SERVICES and they were found to be authentic autographs. I do not think that all autographs are fake but when you deal with 100's of collectors it is possible one or two get thru the cracks that is why I use third party authenticators just to be safe and the stuff on Autographs America that was purchased was found to be definitely not fake.
Mike
Bellevue,Washington,
U.S.A.
How To File an FBI Online Complaint for Forgery
#13Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 29, 2009
Ginger,
Don't listen to that idiot, it's likely Brian Burkel, the owner. If they told you that you had "your head up your a*s" then yeah, it's fair to say you've been had. I have spoken with dozens of people such as yourself, and several experts in the field.
I'm not an expert, but the site is somewhat amusing. It would appear that they have a lot of dead people sitting around their office with Sharpie's!
You need to go to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center to have any chance at all at getting justice. Here is the link: http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Moverandshaker
Holtsville,New York,
U.S.A.
Autographs America Does Justice
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, May 29, 2009
I know a person who purchased a guitar signed by the Stones from this company in the past and after getting an authentication company to look at the autographs it was reported as an excellent example of a real autographs not a forgery as some would say.
I think that all businesses have people that are unsatisfied with what they buy but it is not fair to try and say somebodys business is a complete fraud because they have heard hearsay from another party. This company Autographs America is ok by me.