You have cases of both amateur and professional document modification.įor instance, with the amateur falsifications on a bank statement, classic errors in the numbers can ben identified. We've written quite extensively on the different types of tenancy fraudsters that are currently in operation across Europe. Amateur v advanced document forgeriesĪnother telling sign is whether the numbers and icons on the page are aligned correctly and consistently, which they should be if issued by a bank. On this particular statement, the barcode in the top left hand of the statement did not match the original address this barcode was assigned (yep, we can decode that too!).
We also found that the software used to edit the bank statement was an application called CorelDraw (We can pick this up from the metadata of the statement or payslip). It had a number of layers placed over the original statement issued by HSBC. Our fraud prevention software picked up that this particular bank statement had 7 different fonts which were clearly different to the ones used on typical HSBC bank statements. Authentic bank statements will only have one document layer Homeppl have digital image X-ray technology that can tell when an image or new text has been layered over an original source. You can look in detail at the bank logo for instance and not spot anything wrong. However, scanning a document with the naked eye is not enough these days. Furthermore, the document's resolution is vital when modifying a bank statement, the quality will tend to decrease, which is significant to look out for. The font and font sizes used across an original bank statement will remain consistent.
Fraudsters tend to get careless with these details, so it is essential to look out for them as this is your first warning sign. Inconsistencies in fonts, text size and even the bank's logos are modifications we regularly detect. The first and most telling sign of a fake bank statement is its appearance. How we detect fake bank statements and fake payslips Those applying for mortgages, loans, or a new bank account will also likely be requested to provide bank statements three months prior to the point of application. This is not just an issue in the rental market.
Did you know that 5% of properties in the UK are rented to fraudsters in 2022? This is due to a subpar standard of referencing and a longstanding lack of adequate verification in the rental industry. It's essential that the tenant can actually afford the property and not trying to sublet it for a profit. It is commonplace to require a bank statement or a payslip when seeking to rent a property in the UK during the tenant screening process. Our unique technology can detect 100% of fraudulent applications and one of the most significant elements of our technology stack is our document analysis. Whilst fraudsters are finding new and more technologically advanced methods to avoid detection, they're still no match for Homeppl.