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?

Can an electronic signature be forged?

Unfortunately, yes, e-signatures can be forged. 

Just like traditional handwritten signatures, electronic signatures have their vulnerabilities. However, the likelihood and ease of forgery are significantly lower 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 Copying and Pasting

This basic form of forgery applies mainly to simple electronic signatures, which often consist of a scanned image or a typed name. It’s straightforward to copy the visual representation of a signature and paste it onto another digital document. This method completely bypasses any security protocols, as there’s no verification of authenticity involved.

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.

Signature Recreation

Someone might attempt to manually recreate a signature using digital tools, such as drawing with a mouse or stylus, or using a font that mimics handwriting. While the result might visually resemble the original signature, it lacks the cryptographic elements that provide security and verification in more advanced e-signature types.

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.

Key Compromise and Unauthorized Use

More sophisticated forgery can occur if a malicious actor gains unauthorized access to a user’s private key or signing credentials. This could happen through phishing attacks, malware, or insider threats. With a compromised key, the forger can create seemingly valid digital signatures without the legitimate owner’s consent, making it crucial to protect these credentials.

Replay Attacks

A replay attack involves capturing a valid electronic signature during a legitimate transaction and then reusing it in a different context without authorization. For example, if the data transmitted during a signing process is intercepted, a fraudster might attempt to “replay” that data to sign another document. Advanced e-signature systems incorporate measures like unique transaction identifiers to prevent such replay attacks.

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.

Security Measures That Prevent Signature Forgery

Fortunately, robust security technologies and practices exist to make forging secure electronic signatures exceptionally challenging. These measures are designed to verify the signer’s identity and ensure the integrity of the signed document.

Digital Certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Digital certificates act as electronic IDs that verify the signer’s identity and link it to a public key. This certificate is issued by a trusted third party called a Certificate Authority (CA).

Here’s how it works:

• The CA verifies the identity of the person or organization requesting the certificate.
• The certificate contains the public key of the signer, their identity information, and the digital signature of the CA.
• When a document is signed digitally, the signer uses their private key (which is kept secret) to create a unique digital signature for that specific document.
• Anyone can then use the signer’s public key (provided in their digital certificate) to verify that the signature is authentic and that the document hasn’t been altered since it was signed.

This process relies on the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), a system that manages digital certificates and ensures their validity.

Encryption and Hashing Algorithms

Cryptography plays a vital role in securing electronic signatures.

• Hashing Algorithms: These algorithms create a unique “fingerprint” of the digital document. If even a tiny detail in the document is changed after signing, the hash value will be completely different. This makes it easy to detect if any tampering has occurred.
• Encryption: This process scrambles the data of the signed document and the signature during transmission and storage, making it unreadable to unauthorized individuals. Only those with the correct decryption key can access the information.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security to the signing process by requiring more than one method of verifying the signer’s identity. Common MFA methods include:

• Password + One-Time Password (OTP): Requiring a password and a temporary code sent to the user’s phone or email.
• Biometric Authentication: Using fingerprints, facial recognition, or other biological traits to confirm identity.

By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and signature forgery.

Audit Trails and Tamper Evidence

Secure electronic signature platforms maintain detailed records, or audit trails, of the entire signing process. These trails typically log:

• Who signed the document
• When the document was signed
• Where the document was signed (IP address, geolocation if enabled)
• Actions taken during the signing process (e.g., viewing, agreeing)

Furthermore, these platforms often include features that provide tamper evidence. If any changes are made to the signed document after the signature is applied, the system can detect and clearly indicate that the document has been altered, often invalidating the signature.

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.