Can someone create a fake document from scratch instead of modifying an existing one?

Yes, and this is an important limitation to understand. Our PDF authenticity checker detects modifications to existing PDF files—we cannot verify if a brand-new PDF was created with falsified content.

Example scenario: Someone could:

• Create a fake invoice or certificate with false information
• Print or export it as a fresh PDF file
• The PDF will appear as “not modified” because it’s technically a new file, not a modified existing one

How to protect yourself: Always pay close attention to the Creation Date shown in the analysis results. Ask yourself:

• Does the creation date make logical sense for this document?
• If it’s supposedly a 2020 invoice, why was the PDF created in 2026?
• Is the creation date suspiciously recent for an “old” document?
• Does the timeline match the situation and claimed document origin?

Additional verification steps for critical documents:

• Request the original file from the issuing organization directly
• Verify document details with the claimed issuer (company, institution, authority)
• Check for official digital signatures or stamps
• Compare document format and layout with known authentic samples
• For scanned documents (photos of documents), request the original digital file instead

Our service is a powerful tool for detecting tampering with existing files, but it cannot replace human judgment and thorough verification processes. The creation date is your first line of defense against completely fabricated documents.