Yesterday, we covered which gold coins are best during a squeeze. But when demand surges, so do the scams. Fake gold floods the market fast, and panicked buyers become easy prey. If you’re not careful, your “insurance” could be nothing but brass and heartbreak.

Counterfeiters have gotten sophisticated. Some use real gold plating over tungsten cores—same weight, fake value. Others mimic government coins down to the tiniest detail. Always buy from trusted dealers, use a magnet (gold isn’t magnetic), and check for proper weight and dimensions. Better yet, invest in a pocket-scale or ultrasonic tester. A little know-how can save you thousands.

Tomorrow, we’ll dig into gold storage again—this time, covering the best ways to transport your metals safely if you ever need to move fast.