If you have ever been scammed, you know the angry feeling that burns inside of you when it happens. Whether it is a fake banknote, spam email, or even a doctored photo on the internet, there are many outlets for scammers to use. But can you make fake pay stubs? Sadly, with technology these days, there are plenty of ways to make fake pay stubs online. Creating fake pay stubs is not only illegal but may affect things such as your income or your business as a potential employer. Check Stub Maker wants you to have all of the information you need to be able to spot fake check stubs.
We at Check Stub Maker specialize in creating real check stubs allowing us to easily identify the fakes. Here are some easy ways to spot fake pay stubs, followed by some common questions on the subject. This information will hopefully add a layer of protection for your company or organization against harm from fake check stubs.
How to spot a fake pay stubs
Whether you are an employer checking out a prospective employee, or an apartment owner looking for a new tenant, there are a few surefire ways to spot fake check stubs. Here is all the information that you need to be able to tell if a pay stub is forged:
- Do the Math
Did you know that math is one of the least favorite subjects in school? That being said, fake check stub makers hate math as well. One of the best ways you can spot fake pay stubs is by calculating the numbers. All you need is a simple calculator. You can even use the calculator that comes on your smartphone. First off, add up the income and see if it matches the totals. Check the deductions as well. Make certain to subtract the deductions from the total and check to see if the math makes sense. If anything doesn’t add up, you know you are looking at a fake pay stub. - Take a Detailed Look
There are a lot of different pay stub types out there, but fake pay stubs often have something wrong with them. Sometimes the decimal lines are not in the same line. That is a big red flag. Real pay stubs are created using accounting software and accounting software wants all the numbers to line up. If the numbers and decimal places are not in the same ruler-straight line, you are dealing with fraud. - Double-check the Decimals
Every paycheck stub deals with money down to the penny. If you notice that any decimals are missing, that should immediately send up a red flag inside of your mind. The dollar sign may or may not be there, but the decimals should always be present. Fake pay stubs don’t account for every penny while real check stubs do. - Look at the Fonts
Fake pay stubs have flowery fonts. Real pay stubs will always have a cold, calculated-looking font. There is a reason. In order for computers to read the numbers fast and efficiently, accountants use organized, robotic-looking fonts. When you are looking at a paycheck stub, always take a look at the font. - Get Final Confirmation
Paycheck stubs are not the only way you can determine the income of a potential renter or borrower. If you come across a few of their check stubs and something feels off you can always have them fill out a 4506T form from the IRS. Once the form is filled out, it goes directly to the IRS and they will pull the numbers that were reported last year. You will be able to see exactly what they claimed as income. Using the form will give you total confirmation if you suspect any fake pay stubs.
Can you make fake pay stubs?
It is perfectly legal to create your own pay stubs, and you can do so easily using Check Stub Maker. However, creating fake pay stubs in order to apply for loans and other things is illegal.
Can you go to jail for fake pay stubs?
Yes. Though it is easy to create fake pay stubs for free online, it is not legal to do so, and though it will usually result in a fine, in extreme cases, some people may face jail time.
How can I make my own check stubs for free?
While you cannot make check stubs for free legally, you can do so easily using Check Stub Maker’s generator which includes a 100% money-back guarantee.
Check Stub Maker
We are here to save you time and money. Using our online check stub generator, you can create professional check stubs for your company’s employees. You can save money because you no longer have to buy expensive programs, or try to learn to become an accountant with every paycheck. When you use Check Stub Maker, we have an online calculator that efficiently tracks the tax rates in the areas where your employees live.
All you have to do is fill in the template, we do the math, and your employees get real check stubs sent to their email. Our check stub service will help you save time and money. We are Check Stub Maker and we are improving check stub services one pay stub at a time.