Checking pay stubs has become key to the verification process with most landlords, lenders, and employers in this digital world. However, as technology advances and allows the making of realistic-looking documents, the number of phoney pay stubs is growing. Being able to recognize these fake pay stubs can save one from costly mistakes by saving time and money.
How to tell if a pay stub is fake
Check for Formatting Errors
Most fake pay stubs feature unevenly formatted text. An actual pay stub usually has a clean, standard template with lined-up text and even font. Large mismatched fonts, unequal margins, or pixelated logos would raise suspicion.
Check for Unrealistic Figures
Beware of round numbers. Most payroll systems calculate to the last cent, taking into consideration taxes and deductions. If the figures appear too neat, or if they don’t match with that particular type of job, you may be dealing with a fake.
Missing or Incorrect Information
Valid pay stubs have the following necessary information: full name of employee, address, Social Security number and employer’s contact information. A red flag would be when information is absent or the employer can’t be found online. Making sure that everything in boxes has correct information is a good starting point in verification.
Spot Mathematical Inconsistencies
The professional payroll systems ensure that the calculations are up to the dot. Errors in year-to-date totals, mismatched deductions, or inconsistencies in gross pay all lead towards signs of tampering. Several of these mistakes can be found within the manually created pay stubs.
Watch out for Typos and Simple Mistakes
Real pay stubs are prepared in a professional manner, leaving little or no room for typos. Minor errors may include things like using an “O” instead of an “0” or incorrect tax codes. Attention to detail may send up important red flags.
Conclusion
Although identifying a fake pay stub might seem challenging, knowing what to look for makes it easier. For an easy and quick means to generate genuine pay stubs, consider the services of Online Pay Stub Generator, an easy-to-use tool that allows you to make accurate professional pay stubs in a matter of minutes. Try it now, and you will be assured you are operating with real documentation!
