Can an Electronic Signature Be Forged?

Electronic signatures have transformed the way we sign documents, making them faster and more convenient than ever. But this ease comes with questions about security. 

Is it possible to fake an electronic signature?

Unfortunately, yes, e-signatures can be forged. 

However, the likelihood and ease of forgery are significantly lower compared to traditional signatures due to advanced security measures.

In this article, you’ll discover the various methods used to forge electronic signatures, from the simple act of copying and pasting signature images to the more complex hacking of e-signature platforms. We’ll also walk you through how to spot a forged one by pointing out the tell-tale signs of fraud and provide you with strategies to protect yourself and your business from these digital threats.

Types of e-Signature Forgery

E-signatures, while incredibly convenient, aren’t immune to tampering and fraudsters use various tactics to forge them. 

FillFaster, a leader in digital signature services, emphasizes the importance of recognizing various types of electronic signature forgery. This knowledge not only helps in safeguarding your business transactions but also ensures trust and reliability in every contract signed electronically.

Here are some of the most common techniques:

Simple Copy and Paste

The most basic form of electronic signature forgery involves copying an individual’s genuine signature from one document and pasting it onto another without authorization. A fraudster might simply take an image of your signature (from a scanned document, for example) and copy it into another document. 

While unsophisticated, this method is surprisingly effective in less formal situations or where scrutiny is low. 

Although seemingly simple to detect, these forgeries can sometimes slip through if documents are not carefully verified. Businesses using digital signature solutions should ensure they have robust verification processes to detect such discrepancies.

Manipulating Signature Images

This sophisticated method involves altering a legitimate electronic signature via graphic editing tools or software. The forger might modify aspects of the original signature, such as the background, to insert it into a new document, resize it, and clean it up. They can even combine elements of different signatures to create unauthorized agreements or transactions that appear convincingly real at first glance. 

Fraudulent Creation Forgeries

Sometimes, individuals may attempt to recreate someone else’s signature using drawing tools available within signing platforms themselves or other external applications designed specifically for creating fake signatures. These attempts range from crude imitations easily spotted by experts to highly accurate renditions challenging even for professionals to identify as fraudulent without thorough examination.

Hacking into E-Signature Platforms

This type of forgery is far more serious and usually involves sophisticated cyberattacks. Criminals may target vulnerabilities in e-signature providers’ systems to steal stored signature data or gain access to user accounts. This could allow for mass forgery, potentially compromising the integrity of numerous documents.

It is important to note that the complexity of e-signature forgery varies greatly. While some attempts are crude, others can be meticulously crafted and difficult to detect. Stay vigilant and remember that any seemingly legitimate e-signature could potentially be a forgery.

How to Spot a Forged E-Signature

While there’s no foolproof way to guarantee a signature’s authenticity, training your eye to notice subtle details can significantly improve your ability to identify potential fraud.  Here are crucial red flags to look for:

1. Unexpected Communications

If you receive a signed document you weren’t expecting, particularly if it comes with urgent demands or unusual language, proceed with caution. Fraudsters often rely on creating a sense of surprise, pressuring victims into hasty decisions.  Pay close attention to the sender’s email address – does it match the person or company you expect communication from? 

2. Document Inconsistencies

Examine the document with scrutiny. Look for mismatched fonts, awkward text alignment, incorrect dates or timestamps, or any other visual irregularities. These discrepancies can point to manipulation, especially if the forgery involves combining elements from different sources. 

3. Changes Compared to Known Signatures

Whenever possible, compare the signature in question to previous examples of your own signature or the alleged signer’s. Are there major deviations in the style, slant, pen pressure, or the signature’s overall flow? Even subtle inconsistencies could be strong indicators of forgery.

4. Digital Examination

If you’re dealing with a digital document, consider utilizing the zoom function to examine the signature up close.  Are there signs of pixelation or image distortion around the signature itself? These subtle clues might reveal attempts at manipulation.

Why Do These Matter?

These warning signs aren’t just about spotting forgery. They offer clues about how the forgery was done and why.

• Context is Key: Unexpected documents and odd communication styles often go hand-in-hand with forgery attempts, especially phishing schemes.
• The Devil’s in the Details: Inconsistencies within the document point towards hasty or clumsy forgery work.
• Comparison is Crucial: Referencing known, trusted signature samples can reveal inconsistencies that might otherwise be missed.
• The Digital Trace: Zooming in on a digital signature can sometimes expose artifacts of image manipulation that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Don’t dismiss your intuition. If a signed document raises any doubts, don’t hesitate to investigate further before taking action. Contact the alleged signer directly to verify authenticity whenever possible.

How to prevent signature and/or signatory fraud

While e-signature forgery is a risk, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability by implementing strong security measures. Here are key strategies for protecting yourself and your business:

Choose a reputable service provider

Start by choosing an e-signature provider with a track record of security and compliance with industry standards. A trusted provider, such as FillFaster, ensures that all legal requirements are met and offers advanced security features to protect against forgery. 

Look into features like encrypted data storage, audit trails, and robust user authentication methods when evaluating providers. 

Use multiple prevention tactics

• Email Verification: Implement an email verification process where signatories must confirm their identity through their email before proceeding with signing. 
• Strong Password Practices: Enforce strong password practices for yourself and your employees, emphasizing unique passwords for each platform. 
• Two-Factor Authentication: Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to provide an extra layer of protection for your accounts. 
• Audit Trails: Ensure your chosen platform provides detailed audit trails for every document signed electronically. This includes tracking who signed it, when it was signed, and the IP address used during signing.
• Education and Awareness: Educate your staff about recognizing phishing scams, identifying suspicious documents, and following proper reporting procedures when potential threats arise.

Consider Advanced Options

For businesses handling high-stakes transactions or operating within highly regulated industries, consider adopting digital signatures. Digital signatures offer superior security and legal enforceability through cryptographic linking with documents and signer identities.

Securing Your Electronic Signatures

E-signatures are incredibly valuable tools for streamlining business processes and personal transactions. However, as with any technology, understanding the risks of forgery is key to safe and responsible usage. By becoming familiar with the types of forgery, how to spot a potential fake, and proactive protection strategies, you significantly reduce your vulnerability to fraud.

Sign with Confidence

Concerned about e-signature forgery?  Choose a platform that prioritizes your security. FillFaster offers robust features like audit trails, secure storage, and advanced authentication options to safeguard your documents.  

Start now for FREE and experience the peace of mind that comes with enhanced e-signature protection.