Identity Fraud in Documents: how to combat it?

The growing problem of identity fraud in documents is a widespread concern due to its impact on the financial world, jeopardizing trust in companies. That's what I'll be talking about in this post!

The relevance of the KYC process is due to the fact that identity fraud in documents is one of the most common forms of cybercrime today, affecting many individuals and businesses of all sizes.

That's why today I'll talk about how to combat identity fraud in documents. In this post, you'll see:

• What document fraud is
• What are the main types
• How technology and digitization have increased the risk and sophistication of fraud
• What are the main prevention methods
• Legislations in different countries
• Protect yourself against document fraud

What is document fraud?

Document fraud is a crime that involves the manipulation, falsification or misuse of legal, financial or official documents for the purpose of obtaining illegal benefits or deceiving individuals or institutions.

It can encompass a wide range of documents—checks, identification cards, legal contracts, passports, property certificates and financial records—and have devastating consequences for victims, such as financial losses, reputational damage, legal issues and difficulties in recovering lost identity or assets.

What are the main types?

Below, I'll explain in detail the different types of document fraud and their implications.

Forgery: Manipulation of genuine documents

This refers to the creation or alteration of genuine documents with false or fraudulent information. This can involve:

1. Creating completely fake documents, such as identifications or certificates.
2. Tampering with existing documents to change their content or original purpose. This may include:
   1. removing or adding information,
   2. manipulating dates or numbers,
   3. forging signatures. 

It can be done manually or using advanced technology, making it difficult to detect without appropriate security measures.

Synthetic identities: Creation of fake profiles

A sophisticated form of document fraud involving the creation of fake profiles using partially true and partially false information that allows cybercriminals to open bank accounts, apply for credit or commit other financial crimes.

Synthetic identities are difficult to detect and trace, making them an increasing threat in the digital and financial world.

Other types of document fraud

In addition to the types mentioned before, there are other forms of document fraud worth noting such as:

• Identity theft, where criminals use other people's personal information to commit fraud in their name;
• Credit card fraud, where stolen or counterfeit cards are used for unauthorized purchases;
• More specialized forms of document fraud, such as forgery of investment documents or manipulation of legal documents in business transactions.

How technology and digitization have increased the risk and sophistication of fraud  

While technological advances have many benefits, they have also led to new forms of document fraud, which have become more sophisticated and difficult to detect.

Below, I'll discuss how technology and digitization have increased the risk and sophistication of fraud, presenting new challenges.

New technologies

Some of the advanced technologies and tools that have contributed to this are:

• Image editing software: allows modification of texts, removal or addition of elements, color adjustments and other manipulations that can make a falsified document look authentic.
• Advanced printing technologies: high-resolution laser and inkjet printers can produce documents with visual quality very close to that of genuine documents.
• Optical character recognition (OCR) technologies: scans printed documents and, converting them into editable text, can be used to counterfeit from scanned genuine documents.
• Cryptography: criminals can forge digital certificates or authenticity seals to make counterfeit documents appear legitimate from an electronic standpoint.
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning: they can be used to create more convincing and harder-to-detect fake documents.

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities

Cyberattacks, such as phishing and malware, can compromise the security of computer systems and allow criminals to access sensitive documents.

On the other hand, the increasing interconnectedness of computer systems and the proliferation of Internet-connected devices increase the attack surface and demand more care with:

• Secure storage of biometric data;
• Misuse of personal information;
• Ethical issues about control, transparency, mass surveillance, and algorithmic bias.

What are the main prevention methods?

Below, I'll show you some key methods that can help you combat document fraud, from document authentication to the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence.

Know Your Customer (KYC): Identity Verification

The KYC process verifies the identity of your customers by collecting and verifying personal information such as identification documents, addresses and biometric data.

By implementing rigorous KYC procedures, you can reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring that customers are who they say they are and that the documents presented are authentic.

Digital Identity Verification

Another crucial method for detecting and preventing document fraud in digital environments. This technique uses advanced tools and algorithms to verify the authenticity of electronic documents and the identity of users online.

This may include comparing facial images with identification documents, validating digital signatures and verifying the consistency of information provided by users.

It is especially useful in e-commerce and online banking environments, where accurate authentication is critical to preventing fraud.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in detecting and preventing document fraud. 

AI algorithms can analyze large volumes of data and behavioral patterns to identify suspicious activities and anomalies in documents and transactions.

This may include detecting forged signatures, identifying altered documents and predicting fraudulent activities based on historical behavioral models.

Education and Awareness

In addition to implementing technological measures, it is crucial to educate employees and the general public about security practices and warning signs of document fraud by:

1. Training in identifying forged documents.
2. Raising awareness about tactics used by criminals.
3. Promoting security practices in handling confidential information.

Legislation in different countries

In the battle against document fraud, laws and regulations play a crucial role in establishing standards and penalties to prevent and punish these criminal practices.

Below, I will discuss some relevant legislation and associated penalties in different countries.

Legislation in the United States

In the United States, the fight against document fraud is supported by a series of federal and state laws.

The Federal Document Fraud and Abuse Act (18 USC § 1028) prohibits the production, possession or use of counterfeit documents, such as identification cards or passports.

Additionally, the Fraud and Abuse Protection Act (18 USC § 1029) establishes penalties for credit and debit card fraud. Violations of these laws can result in imprisonment, fines and restitution to fraud victims.

Legislation in the European Union

In the European Union, the fight against document fraud is regulated by a series of directives and regulations that establish common standards throughout the region.

The Directive on Fraud and Counterfeiting Offenses (Directive 2013/40/EU) establishes penalties for document fraud, including the forgery of identification documents and passports.

Also, the General Data Protection Regulation (RGPD) sets strict rules for the handling and protection of personal data, helping prevent the misuse of information for fraudulent purposes.

Legislation in Colombia

In Colombia, the legal framework related to digital document fraud includes:

Law 1581 of 2012, also known as the Personal Data Protection Law, which establishes the legal framework for the protection of individuals' privacy and regulates the processing of personal data by public and private entities in Colombia.

Law 527 of 1999 (Electronic Commerce Law): which establishes legal provisions to recognize the legal validity of data messages, digital signatures and electronic documents in Colombia. It also regulates aspects such as the authenticity and integrity of data messages.

Legislation in Mexico

In Mexico, relevant laws for digital document fraud include:

• Federal Law on Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties (LFPDPPP), enacted in 2010, which aims to regulate the legitimate, controlled and informed treatment of personal data by private entities in Mexico.
• Advanced Electronic Signature Law: establishes provisions related to the legal validity and security of electronic signatures in Mexico.

Protect your company against document fraud

As you can see, it is crucial to protect yourself against the threat of document fraud.

That's why you should know about Digital Identity by Truora, the most advanced digital identity validation software.

Try it for free today and experience simplifying the validation of your users' identities to ensure they are who they say they are and prevent fraud.