How to Spot a Fake Pay Stub: 15 Red Flags Landlords Check

The most common signs include: rounded numbers that seem too perfect (e.g., exactly $3,000.00), mathematical errors in calculations, generic company names with no contact info, inconsistent fonts or formatting, missing year-to-date totals, and pay periods that don't align with stated pay frequency. Always verify employer information independently through Google or business directories.

Landlords should follow a five-step process:

1. Request 2-3 consecutive pay stubs
2. Verify all mathematical calculations manually
3. Contact the employer directly using independently found contact info
4. Consider using employment verification services
5. Request supporting documents like bank statements

Never use contact information provided only by the applicant—look up the company yourself.

Yes, using a fake pay stub is illegal and can result in serious consequences including criminal charges for fraud, forgery, or perjury. Penalties can include fines up to $250,000, jail time, immediate lease termination, loss of security deposit, eviction on your record, and difficulty renting in the future. If you're self-employed and need pay stubs, you CAN create them legally—just ensure all information is accurate and truthful.

Refusal to allow employment verification is itself a major red flag. Legitimate applicants understand that verification is standard practice and should have no problem providing employer contact information. If an applicant becomes defensive, offers to pay extra to skip verification, or provides excuses, you should seriously consider denying the application. Alternative verification methods exist for legitimate self-employed applicants.

Yes, self-employed individuals, freelancers, and small business owners can create their own pay stubs as long as ALL information is accurate and truthful. The key is that you're documenting real income, not fabricating it. Use a professional pay stub generator to ensure proper formatting and calculations. You should also be prepared to provide supporting documentation like tax returns, 1099 forms, or bank statements.

Basic employment verification typically takes 5-15 minutes: a few minutes to look up the company independently, plus a 5-10 minute phone call to HR. Third-party verification services may take 1-3 business days. If you're doing thorough verification including requesting bank statements and multiple pay stubs, allow 3-5 business days total. Don't rush this process—spending 30 minutes on verification can save you thousands in losses.

Small and new companies can be legitimate, but require extra verification. Look for: business registration with the state, active website or social media presence, verifiable address, working phone number, and online reviews or presence. For very small companies, you might request: a business license copy, EIN confirmation, additional months of bank statements, or a meeting with the business owner. Self-employed applicants should provide tax returns and 1099 forms.

It's generally better to simply deny the application based on "unable to verify employment" rather than accuse someone of fraud. Confrontation can lead to conflict or legal issues. Instead, professionally inform them: "We were unable to verify your employment information. Your application has been denied." If you're certain of fraud and it's a serious case, you can report it to local authorities, but this is usually not necessary for rental situations. Simply move on to the next applicant.