Is It Illegal To Make Fake Pay Stubs?

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Are you looking to be approved for a loan? If so, you're probably aware that most lenders require you to provide recent pay stubs to verify that you're gainfully employed. So what do you do if you own or work for a small business that lacks the capital to invest in pricey accounting software? Your first answer might be to generate a few fake pay stubs on your own, but this is neither the ethical nor the legal response.
Rather, it's best to trust your financial information to a reputable pay stub generator that can turn your earnings into an accurate statement that serves as a pay stub in lending scenarios. Ready to learn more? Let's get started!

Why Fake Pay Stubs Just Don't Pay

One of the most common reasons people turn to fake pay stubs is unemployment. Put simply, when you're out of work, you'll have no job-related documentation to show a lender. That could leave you denied for that auto or mortgage loan you need. You may be tempted to hop online and watch a YouTube tutorial showing you how to create fake stubs filled with made-up numbers and a fictitious company name.
Yet, as difficult as the situation may be, it's best to be upfront and honest with your bank rather than hide behind a guise that's full of holes. The main reason? If you're caught, you could face hefty fines to the tune of $1 million, not to mention serious jail time of 30 years or more.

Fake Employer Schemes

Using fake stubs to collect disability benefits or file insurance claims? You could be in the middle of an illegal fake employer scheme. In this system, a person or group of people sell fake pay stubs and other phony employment documents to out-of-work persons looking for quick cash.
If you're working with an under-the-table stub generator, think twice about this illegal move. The quick fix could result in a long line of miserable consequences, costing you much more than you ever claimed to make.

Help for Small Business Owners

But, what if you're not unemployed? What if you work for a small business that simply hasn't sprung for the costly and cumbersome accounting software required to generate pay stubs? In that case, there are reputable and recognized professional accounting firms that can take your earning information and turn it into a legitimate pay stub that's anything but fraudulent.
Given that the data you present to these companies is accurate, these types of documents are not considered fake pay stubs. Keep in mind, however, that if you intend to use them for legal purposes, you may need to get them certified by the company whose name is on the stub. 

Need a Professional Pay Stub Generated? Contact Us Today!

If you're in need of an accurate pay stub but lack the software to make one yourself, we'd love to help. We're a national accounting firm with a reputation for quality and professional service. For a modern variety of check stubs, try our paystubs generator today!


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, creating, using, or distributing fake pay stubs is illegal as it constitutes fraud and forgery.

Yes, there are legitimate ways to verify income, such as providing tax returns, bank statements, or a letter from your employer confirming your income.

Fake pay stubs can often be detected by lenders, landlords, or employers who may verify employment and income details with the employer listed on the pay stub.

Creating fake pay stubs, even for novelty purposes, is still illegal and can lead to criminal charges if used or distributed.

Yes, using fake pay stubs can lead to criminal charges, fines, and potential jail time depending on the severity of the offense.

To avoid accidentally using fake pay stubs, ensure that you obtain pay stubs directly from your employer or through a trusted payroll service. Always double-check the information for accuracy.

Using fake pay stubs for a loan application can lead to denial of the loan, legal consequences, and potential damage to your credit score.

A fake pay stub is a fabricated or altered document that falsely represents an individual's income, employment status, or other financial information.

If you suspect someone is using fake pay stubs, you should report the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as law enforcement or the relevant financial institution.

Fake pay stubs are considered fraudulent because they misrepresent an individual's financial situation, which can be used to deceive lenders, landlords, or employers.
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Is It Illegal To Make Fake Pay Stubs?
James Wilson

After graduating from McCombs School of Business in Texas, James joined ThePayStubs as a CPA to make sure the numbers we provide our clients are correct. Read More

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