10/05/2026
Could you spot a fake pay stub if one landed in your inbox tomorrow?
We get these sent to us constantly, so we know exactly where to look:
- Fake proof of income is everywhere now: online generators, edited stubs, even a partner’s stub with the name swapped
- The quick tells: math that doesn’t add up, suspiciously round totals, an “O” sitting where a zero should be
- The move most landlords skip: open the PDF’s file properties. A creator listed as “Canva” or the applicant’s name can indicate it was edited
- Always verify at the source: two recent stubs, and call the employer on a number you looked up yourself
Screening shouldn’t feel like detective work, but the two minutes are worth it.