The secondary market for shoes, bags and collectibles has never been stronger, as people shell out top dollar for rare and coveted items.

Of course, with every purchase comes the risk that, just maybe, your limited-edition sneakers or vintage bag isn't the real deal.

Particularly if you scored it within the murky depths of eBay or as a holiday gift from your well-meaning aunt.

What you need: a way to authenticate the product. Ideally via some sort of industry expert who lives in your pocket and is constantly on call.

This feels like a good time to mention Legit App, which was built for doing exactly that. It will help you authenticate luxury goods, including sneakers, streetwear, collectibles and more, and it's available now for iPhone and Android.

Say you've just scored a pair of the original Yeezy Boost 750s. Or maybe you're thinking about purchasing a leather bag that's popular with counterfeiters, and you want to confirm its provenance. In each case, call up this app. 

You'll be asked to upload photos of the product and label. Everything you upload is verified manually by two or more professional authenticators with expertise in their field who can tell you whether the item is a replica or the real thing. The service is available 24/7 and starts at as little as $1 per product, with results available in less than 24 hours—and sometimes as quickly as one hour. 

Once the service is completed, you will receive a certificate of authenticity for your item, which will be helpful should you choose to sell it down the road.

Now you can sleep a little easier at night knowing that your favorite pair of shoes or vintage jacket is authentic.

Or be enraged to learn that it's not.