Has this document been tampered with before signing or payment?
An invoice, a contract, a supporting document… can be copied, modified or entirely invented. Here: a clear checklist + a 30-second method to avoid traps (payment, clauses, impersonation).
What you risk in 10 seconds:
- Lost payment (fake bank details / fake beneficiary)
- Trapped signature (clauses, amounts, commitment)
- Impersonation (identity, company, fake “supporting documents”)
Important: a “well-presented” PDF proves nothing. Proof means an independent verification or a publicly accessible proof.
The most common signs of a fake document
Document fraud is simple: it relies on pressure, habits and lack of checks.
- Unknown source or inconsistent context : An “urgent” document received by email/DM without a clear discussion thread is suspicious. Fraud relies on confusion and speed.
- Pressure: “sign today”, “pay now”, “confidential” : When someone pushes you to act fast, it is often a scam. A real partner accepts a basic verification.
- Modified payment details (bank details/IBAN, beneficiary, address) : Classic fraud: changing the bank details on an invoice, or the beneficiary on a payment order. Compare with a known official source.
- Visual inconsistencies (fonts, alignments, logo, numbers) : Fake documents often contain details that “feel wrong”: irregular margins, different typography, crude stamp, inconsistent numbers.
- Odd metadata/export (scanned PDF, images, pasted pages) : A PDF can be just a scanned image that is hard to verify. It is not proof of legitimacy, just a format.
- Weak proof: “this is our template”, “we assure you” : A document can look very realistic and still be fake. Look for verifiable proof: accessible status, available certificate and consistent information rather than a simple “we assure you”.
Simple rule: if a document involves money, identity or a signature, verify before doing anything.
The cautious 30-second method
Goal: avoid the “automatic” signature and reflex payment.
- Do not sign / do not pay until you have verified the source.
- Check the sender and domain if received by email (watch out for lookalike names).
- Compare sensitive details (bank details/IBAN, beneficiary, company) with a known official source.
- If the stakes are serious: ask for proof that is accessible, dated and consistent with the announced issuer.
Classic fraud example: an invoice identical to the usual one… except the IBAN. The real check is not “the PDF”, it is the comparison with a known official source.
Useful
If the document pushes you to act fast, you already have enough warning signs to slow down. A healthy partner accepts verification.
Common scams using fake documents
The scenarios change little: pressure, “admin”, payment, clauses.
- Fake invoice (changed bank details) : The document looks like a usual invoice, but the IBAN or beneficiary has been changed.
- Fake contract / amendment : You are asked to sign a document that adds a clause or an amount. The trap: pressure and confusion.
- Fake administrative document : Fine, taxes, “file to regularize”: the goal is to make you pay through a link or a bank transfer.
- Fake supporting document (PDF “proof”) : You receive a PDF to “prove” a payment, shipment or identity. A PDF is not proof by itself.
These scams often arrive by email: remember to check the email and, if the stakes are serious, create an email proof.
What to do if the document is probably fake?
- Immediate stop: no signature, no payment : You gain time by slowing down. One minute of verification avoids weeks of damage.
- Verify through an official channel : Contact the company/partner through its official website, a known number, or an already validated contact. Not through the email in the document.
- Ask for verifiable proof : A Kicklinks proof helps verify a precise version: accessible status, available certificate and timestamped elements. It is stronger than a screenshot or a forwarded PDF.
- Keep clean records : Keep the original email, headers if possible, and the received document. In a dispute, the timeline matters.
FAQ
- Does a signed / stamped PDF prove authenticity? Not necessarily. A stamp can be copied, a signature can be pasted. That is not enough.
- Why do fake documents look “perfect”? They copy existing templates. The look is not proof.
- What is the best reflex? Verify through an official channel and compare sensitive details before payment.
- Does Kicklinks automatically “detect” the fake? No. Kicklinks indicates whether there is a publicly accessible proof that can be verified publicly.
Useful links
Other checks: website · email · social account
Do not sign without checking
A document can look perfect and be entirely fake. Before signing or paying: verify first.
