5 Signs of a Fraudulent Bank Statement
What to look for when reviewing financial documents from applicants.
Fraudulent bank statements are more common than most people realize. Whether you are a university admissions officer, embassy staff, or landlord, knowing how to spot fakes is essential.
Here are five red flags that should trigger closer inspection.
1. Inconsistent Fonts and Formatting
Authentic bank statements use consistent typography throughout. Look for changes in font size, style, or spacing. Pay particular attention to numbers - fraudsters often edit amounts while leaving surrounding text unchanged.
Modern editing tools make it easier than ever to create convincing fakes, but subtle inconsistencies often remain. Zoom in on suspicious areas and compare them to known authentic statements from the same bank.
2. Round Numbers and Regular Patterns
Real bank accounts show irregular transaction amounts and timing. Be suspicious of statements with too many round numbers (exactly ₦100,000 instead of ₦99,847) or suspiciously regular deposit patterns.
Genuine account activity is messy. If a statement looks too clean, it might be fabricated.
3. Mathematical Errors
Every balance should equal the previous balance plus deposits minus withdrawals. This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how many fraudulent statements contain math errors.
Use a calculator to verify running balances. Even a small discrepancy indicates tampering.
4. Missing or Incorrect Bank Details
Verify that the bank logo, address, and contact information match official sources. Check that account numbers follow the correct format for that bank. Nigerian bank account numbers are 10 digits - any deviation is a red flag.
Also verify the statement period dates and ensure there are no gaps in the transaction history.
5. Metadata Inconsistencies
Digital documents contain hidden metadata about when and how they were created. A PDF claiming to be generated by a bank but showing Adobe Acrobat as the creator is suspicious.
Professional verification tools can analyze this metadata, but even basic PDF readers show creation dates and software used.
When in Doubt, Verify
If you spot any of these signs, do not accept the document at face value. Request verification directly from the bank, or use a service like Doculet that can verify documents automatically.
The cost of accepting a fraudulent document far exceeds the cost of proper verification.